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Deleting OS without formatting HDD?

Hey,

 

I'm going to be buying an SSD and using it as a boot drive. I need to get my OS onto the SSD while leaving all of my files on the HDD. My OS isn't installed on a separate partition to my files. I've seen some people take ownersnip of the Windows folders etc. and delete them but it seems really messy to me.

 

Is there a cleaner way I could do it? Is there a way to create a partition on my HDD and move my OS onto it so I can delete it? or should I just use the method mentioned above?

 

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You don't need to delete the OS. Just make sure you boot from the SSD and you can access all your files on the HDD from windows explorer.

BTW don't have the HDD plugged in while installing windows to the SSD, it can screw things up.

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Just make an image of the drive with Acronis True Image and only choose the windows sensitive files and not all your data, then load the image on the SSD.

 

Free Trial Here:

    http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/pc-backup/

There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Just some helpful stuff: You're - You are, Your - Your car, They're - They are, Their - Their car, There - Over there.

 

Folding @ Home Install Guide and Links | My Build

 

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Just make an image of the drive with Acronis True Image and only choose the windows sensitive files and not all your data, then load the image on the SSD.

 

Free Trial Here:

    http://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/pc-backup

Use drive Image XML.It's freeware for private use.  I've used it 100s of times for deployments and never had a problem. Would not recommend acronis to anyone. then again it's not like norton ghost is the best either, and they are a sudo-standard. so I can't really criticize. 

muh specs 

Gaming and HTPC (reparations)- ASUS 1080, MSI X99A SLI Plus, 5820k- 4.5GHz @ 1.25v, asetek based 360mm AIO, RM 1000x, 16GB memory, 750D with front USB 2.0 replaced with 3.0  ports, 2 250GB 850 EVOs in Raid 0 (why not, only has games on it), some hard drives

Screens- Acer preditor XB241H (1080p, 144Hz Gsync), LG 1080p ultrawide, (all mounted) directly wired to TV in other room

Stuff- k70 with reds, steel series rival, g13, full desk covering mouse mat

All parts black

Workstation(desk)- 3770k, 970 reference, 16GB of some crucial memory, a motherboard of some kind I don't remember, Micomsoft SC-512N1-L/DVI, CM Storm Trooper (It's got a handle, can you handle that?), 240mm Asetek based AIO, Crucial M550 256GB (upgrade soon), some hard drives, disc drives, and hot swap bays

Screens- 3  ASUS VN248H-P IPS 1080p screens mounted on a stand, some old tv on the wall above it. 

Stuff- Epicgear defiant (solderless swappable switches), g600, moutned mic and other stuff. 

Laptop docking area- 2 1440p korean monitors mounted, one AHVA matte, one samsung PLS gloss (very annoying, yes). Trashy Razer blackwidow chroma...I mean like the J key doesn't click anymore. I got a model M i use on it to, but its time for a new keyboard. Some edgy Utechsmart mouse similar to g600. Hooked to laptop dock for both of my dell precision laptops. (not only docking area)

Shelf- i7-2600 non-k (has vt-d), 380t, some ASUS sandy itx board, intel quad nic. Currently hosts shared files, setting up as pfsense box in VM. Also acts as spare gaming PC with a 580 or whatever someone brings. Hooked into laptop dock area via usb switch

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Use drive Image XML.It's freeware for private use.  I've used it 100s of times for deployments and never had a problem. Would not recommend acronis to anyone. then again it's not like norton ghost is the best either, and they are a sudo-standard. so I can't really criticize. 

 

Acronis is the only program that I have used that did what I needed... I guess we're on different sides of the lake.

There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Just some helpful stuff: You're - You are, Your - Your car, They're - They are, Their - Their car, There - Over there.

 

Folding @ Home Install Guide and Links | My Build

 

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you can delete/move/do anything with microsoft dart. google it!

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Sorry for my English....

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Acronis is the only program that I have used that did what I needed... I guess we're on different sides of the lake.

I just fond it to work better...and freeware. Idk im just the type that doesn't trust free trail stuff. Paid or not which is it? Just me  :lol:

muh specs 

Gaming and HTPC (reparations)- ASUS 1080, MSI X99A SLI Plus, 5820k- 4.5GHz @ 1.25v, asetek based 360mm AIO, RM 1000x, 16GB memory, 750D with front USB 2.0 replaced with 3.0  ports, 2 250GB 850 EVOs in Raid 0 (why not, only has games on it), some hard drives

Screens- Acer preditor XB241H (1080p, 144Hz Gsync), LG 1080p ultrawide, (all mounted) directly wired to TV in other room

Stuff- k70 with reds, steel series rival, g13, full desk covering mouse mat

All parts black

Workstation(desk)- 3770k, 970 reference, 16GB of some crucial memory, a motherboard of some kind I don't remember, Micomsoft SC-512N1-L/DVI, CM Storm Trooper (It's got a handle, can you handle that?), 240mm Asetek based AIO, Crucial M550 256GB (upgrade soon), some hard drives, disc drives, and hot swap bays

Screens- 3  ASUS VN248H-P IPS 1080p screens mounted on a stand, some old tv on the wall above it. 

Stuff- Epicgear defiant (solderless swappable switches), g600, moutned mic and other stuff. 

Laptop docking area- 2 1440p korean monitors mounted, one AHVA matte, one samsung PLS gloss (very annoying, yes). Trashy Razer blackwidow chroma...I mean like the J key doesn't click anymore. I got a model M i use on it to, but its time for a new keyboard. Some edgy Utechsmart mouse similar to g600. Hooked to laptop dock for both of my dell precision laptops. (not only docking area)

Shelf- i7-2600 non-k (has vt-d), 380t, some ASUS sandy itx board, intel quad nic. Currently hosts shared files, setting up as pfsense box in VM. Also acts as spare gaming PC with a 580 or whatever someone brings. Hooked into laptop dock area via usb switch

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  • 2 weeks later...

sorry for the bump

could i just install windows on the SSD and leave it on the HDD and just set the SSD? Do i have to remove drivers and do i install the new drivers on the SSD? because i require different chipset drivers on this build.

(btw my parts arrived this morning!)

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