Windows 10 to SSD

[Lightlyfe]

Today I build myself a new computer and in my new build I got an SSD for the first time. I built my first computer 5 years ago, which I was still using until today,  and i have my 2tb HDD from that computer with ~900gigs of random stuff stored on it aswell as Windows. I have done some research on partitioning my data from the HDD to the SSD but that is transferring all 900gigs to the SSD  when I only want windows 10 to be put on the SSD. IF anyone could help me out as to how to transfer just the OS that would be awesome. 

[tt2468]

2 minutes ago, Lightlyfe said:

Today I build myself a new computer and in my new build I got an SSD for the first time. I built my first computer 5 years ago, which I was still using until today,  and i have my 2tb HDD from that computer with ~900gigs of random stuff stored on it aswell as Windows. I have done some research on partitioning my data from the HDD to the SSD but that is transferring all 900gigs to the SSD  when I only want windows 10 to be put on the SSD. IF anyone could help me out as to how to transfer just the OS that would be awesome. 

You are going to have to reinstall windows onto your new SSD.

[Lightlyfe]

1 minute ago, tt2468 said:

You are going to have to reinstall windows onto your new SSD.

Annnnd how would I go about doing that?

[DarkRuskov]

6 minutes ago, Lightlyfe said:

Annnnd how would I go about doing that?

by googling installing windows. Basically you create a bootable drive (cd or usb) and you install windows from it.

But for that you need an activation key. You can't transfer windows from one machine to the other.

[Lightlyfe]

1 minute ago, DarkRuskov said:

by googling installing windows. Basically you create a bootable drive (cd or usb) and you install windows from it.

But for that you need an activation key. You can't transfer windows from one machine to the other.

I have the windows 8 cd will there be a different key now that im on windows 10?

[HPWebcamAble]

4 minutes ago, Lightlyfe said:

Annnnd how would I go about doing that?

1. Download the media creation tool from this page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/
2. Use the tool to make a bootable USB drive (this will delete everything on the USB drive)
3. Stick the drive into the computer, boot from USB
4. Follow the instructions to install windows 10. It's a good idea to unplug all storage devices besides the SSD and usb drive, to prevent accidentally installing windows to the wrong place. You'll probably need your current Windows key
5. Install your favorite programs to the SSD
6. Transfer ALL files and documents you want to keep from the HDD to the SSD
7. Format the HDD to wipe it, install other programs to it, then transfer non-essential files and documents.

[DarkRuskov]

44 minutes ago, Lightlyfe said:

I have the windows 8 cd will there be a different key now that im on windows 10?

if you already used the key to install windows on a machine you can't reuse the key (but you still can use the cd probably).

43 minutes ago, HPWebcamAble said:

snip snap

He akready has a cd it seems.

[Ingrid_W]

I'd like to say you don't have to reinstall your Windows OS despite that reinstalling is an acceptable way. There are many clone or partition software on the website allow you to transfer operating system only to SSD. Why don't give them a shot. All you need to do is change the boot settings in BIOS. It is quite easy. I would recommend you Aomei Partition Assistant because it is free and the most important thing is I did this once with that software. Feel free to ask me if you have further questions.

Cheers.

[Kryptyx]

Your best bet is to do a fresh install. Technically you can transfer your old windows copy over but it will cause a lot of issues and will likely be unstable. Just buy a windows 10 key and start fresh, you'll be glad you did.