Need help installing new SSD

[Lukandon]

Hi, I got a new SSD a while ago and now have some time to install it. It's a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD and I'm replacing my 128 2.5" SSD+1TB HDD setup with it. Putting the new SSD on the motherboard should be easy enough, but I don't know what the best way is to transfer my data over. I setup the user folders (Photos, Documents, Desktop, etc.) to work in the 1TB HDD to save space on the 128GB SSD and just use that for my Windows 10 install and software. What would the process be so that I put the 1TB SSD in, install Windows 10 on it, setup all my settings (unless there's a way to export all my current settings and import them on the new installation?), install all my software and then transfer all my data over from my 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD?

[Dedayog]

You can either install ONLY the new drive, install Windows and then put the old drives in to transfer data over.  

 

Or you can clone the 128GB drive to the 1TB NVMe and then throw in the 1TB HDD to transfer files after.

 

First is preferred.  

[Lukandon]

2 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

You can either install ONLY the new drive, install Windows and then put the old drives in to transfer data over.  

 

Or you can clone the 128GB drive to the 1TB NVMe and then throw in the 1TB HDD to transfer files after.

 

First is preferred.  

So take both old drives out, put 1TB SSD in, install Windows and then put the old drives back in to transfer my data over?

By the way, will Windows 10 still remember me or will I need to input my product code thing in again?

[An0maly_76]

4 minutes ago, Lukandon said:

So take both old drives out, put 1TB SSD in, install Windows and then put the old drives back in to transfer my data over?

By the way, will Windows 10 still remember me or will I need to input my product code thing in again?

For a new install, no. You'll always have to enter the license key for a fresh install. And a fresh install really is best. But don't do it with the extra drives, Windows is known to put install files on other drives where it won't boot without the other drive.

[Lukandon]

1 minute ago, An0maly_76 said:

For a new install, no. You'll always have to enter the license key for a fresh install. And a fresh install really is best.

I'm confused. What's the difference? So will I have to enter the license key again if I install Windows 10 on this new SSD?

[An0maly_76]

18 minutes ago, Lukandon said:

I'm confused. What's the difference? So will I have to enter the license key again if I install Windows 10 on this new SSD?

Yes, you will need to enter the license key again for new installation on this SSD.

When you clone from an existing drive to a new one, even if there are no other changes from the original configuration, corrupt or flaky registry entries will be transferred from the original drive. That's why a fresh install is recommended.

[Lukandon]

22 hours ago, An0maly_76 said:

Yes, you will need to enter the license key again for new installation on this SSD.

When you clone from an existing drive to a new one, even if there are no other changes from the original configuration, corrupt or flaky registry entries will be transferred from the original drive. That's why a fresh install is recommended.

Thanks for the information.
One other thing; there won't be any problems when I plug my old drives back in to transfer the data will there?

[An0maly_76]

1 hour ago, Lukandon said:

Thanks for the information.
One other thing; there won't be any problems when I plug my old drives back in to transfer the data will there?

No, that shouldn't give you a problem. However, some boards may disable certain SATA ports with an M.2 installed. This usually only happens when using the secondary on boards with dual M.2 slots.

 

I do think retaining the 1TB HDD as aux storage is a good idea though. And if your board has dual slots, the 128 could be retained for storing documents. Just be aware that x4 + x4 means cutting bandwidth in half for your GPU at times and might not be worth the extra 128GB.

[randy123]

Clone it over to the new ssd

[Lukandon]

On 3/1/2023 at 4:49 PM, An0maly_76 said:

No, that shouldn't give you a problem. However, some boards may disable certain SATA ports with an M.2 installed. This usually only happens when using the secondary on boards with dual M.2 slots.

 

I do think retaining the 1TB HDD as aux storage is a good idea though. And if your board has dual slots, the 128 could be retained for storing documents. Just be aware that x4 + x4 means cutting bandwidth in half for your GPU at times and might not be worth the extra 128GB.

I've now successfully installed it, and also transferred some of my data. No problems so far (other than the Users folder on my HDD taking ages to open for the first time for some reason). Thanks for the help.
By the way, I didn't have to put the license key in. During the install, it asked for it, but I skipped and when it finished, I went to the settings and it said it was activated. I did read somewhere saying the license is tied to the motherboard so I guess that's why.
I will have to upgrade to a new motherboard eventually though as my new SSD is gen 4 PCIe and my motherboard only supports gen 3 (MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon AC). Oh well, should still be much faster than my SSD+HDD setup.