Old windows ssd help

[Juiice_OJ]

Planning a new build with a new motherboard and SSD for boot drive. I’m going to do a fresh windows install via usb. From my old build I have another old ssd which has windows 11 installed. I would like to use this ssd just for storage. This also contains program files and game saves/configs.
 

My question is: is it possible to remove windows from the old SSD without fully wiping the program files and game files that live on that drive. Or is it possible to transfer program files and data to the new windows ssd? Or will this cause programs to lose file paths? 
 

Not sure how to go about this and if the only option is to fully wipe the drive how can I save the game files and saves? 
 

I saw that renaming the windows file to windows.old. Allows you to disk clean up the “old” windows files. Would this work? 

Any help would be super appreciated.

[MiszS]

There is an option in the windows installer to just reinstall windows while keeping your files. If that doesn't work for you, then the only other way is to make a backup, erase the drive, and transfer the files back after installing windows

[RokinAmerica]

Can't you just clone and replace drives? Then you can do whatever you want with the old drive once finished. I am 3 or 4 beers in watching Badgers hockey, so may have missed something.

[UNIXNETWORK]

Best option for you will clone SSD to new Nvme drive. But otherwise you can make backup for specifig folders, files.

[Juiice_OJ]

Hey guys thanks for the help. Maybe simply cloning the drive is easier. Before I had assumed as I am changing am4 to am5 and wanted to alleviate any hiccups the best way to go is with a fresh install. Just wanted to fish out different methods. Appreciate it. 

[MiszS]

8 hours ago, Juiice_OJ said:

Hey guys thanks for the help. Maybe simply cloning the drive is easier. Before I had assumed as I am changing am4 to am5 and wanted to alleviate any hiccups the best way to go is with a fresh install. Just wanted to fish out different methods. Appreciate it. 

I didnt reinstall windows when changing from an i7 8700 to r5 7500f, so you can just try using your old SSD, and if it works fine no need to reinstall