Installing new SSD into old desktop

[alfredjames]

This is the PC.

It has a 2.5"HDD bay where I want to install this SSD.

The PC came with a 1TB Western Digital hard drive with a lot of files that I do not want to get rid of. 

Can anybody give me a tutorial on how to transfer Windows 10 onto this new SSD?

Thanks

[banhien]

@alfredjames 

The easiest way (and I always do) is to clone old HDD to new SSD. This will save a lot of time and NOTHING missing, Windows and all files will be copied.

The following guide is for general you can bypass some steps

          https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/09/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-win...

And cloning software

        https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-free-and-reliable-cloning-tools/

        https://www.thetechlounge.com/best-cloning-software/

Regards.

[alfredjames]

@Banhien

Awesome thanks so much.

The SSD is arriving today, so these are the steps I would follow?:

Download cloning software

Install the SSD into the PC

Launch the cloning software and start cloning my HDD to SSD

Arrange boot order in BIOS

And that's it? Will my PC boot up where I left off? (Same wallpaper, chrome tabs opened, etc.)

How would I delete Windows off my HDD?

Thanks so much

[banhien]

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@alfredjames wrote:

.. And that's it? Will my PC boot up where I left off? (Same wallpaper, chrome tabs opened, etc.)

How would I delete Windows off my HDD?

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@alfredjames 

You have to remove old drive to allow machine to boot on SSD and everything will stay the same (otherwise machine may use the old HDD to boot).

Please keep old HDD for few days or a week as backup. After that you can format old HDD and put pack for storage.

[alfredjames]

Alright, I have installed the new SSD and have setup a fresh install of Windows 10.

I actually want to keep my HDD for storage, but do not want to format it or lose any of my old data. Is there any way to get access to it now? It appears that I am only able to transfer some files to my SSD, but cannot download anything onto the HDD or access certain things such as photos/documents

[alfredjames]

@Banhien

There is also not enough space for me to transfer all the HDD files into the SSD, hence why I want to keep it.