Replacing HDD With SSD

[Hyp3rDeath1011]

So my laptop's HDD has been making noises since the day I got the laptop. It is working properly, but I've noticed that the sounds it makes are occurring more often over time. So I'm going to get an SSD soon, but what will happen if the HDD fails and I'm unable to get any information from it? Will the laptop work properly if I simply swapped out the HDD with an SSD? And will all the HP programs automatically be redownloaded?

(I also have an old Toshiba Satellite, which is my backup computer. I had to do a factory reset to allow Windows 10 to boot. The screen displaying the Toshiba logo with the key to press to access BIOS no longer shows and the Task Manager startup no longer has any Toshiba-related programs.).

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Nothing happens automatically. Software is not going to get onto the computer unless you put it there. You are right to be concerned about data loss so today, tomorrow at the latest back up your computer. There are many many ways to do it and some are even free. Post back if you want specific help. HP drivers and some but not all of the utility apps are available for download at this website. If you don't want to spend the money on an external hard drive at least get a 8 gig thumb drive for a few bucks and back up the C:\swsetup folder on the hard drive. This contains all the drivers and apps originally shipped with your laptop (assuming it had Windows 10 on it when you bought it) and would make it very easy to get it back to very close to factory condition onto a new SSD even if your hard drive completely crashes. 

Toshiba also has all its drivers and most apps on their website and you could get that old laptop back to close to factory state in much the same way. 

Post back with any more questions and please accept as solution if this is the info you needed. 

[Hyp3rDeath1011]

Will OneDrive work as a backup?

[Huffer]

Yes for specific files. You cannot make a complete system image directly to OneDrive but you can back up any specific file on the hard drive. That would not include installed apps but if you have downloaded app installer files you can upload them to OneDrive and save them for reinstallation. Office 365 obviously can be reinstalled if you know your Microsoft Account credentials.  

[Hyp3rDeath1011]

Good. So I'll copy the C:\swsetup folder copied onto OneDrive, along with some other apps, and when I get the SSD, I'll just replace the HDD with the SSD. Then I'll turn on the laptop, have Windows 10 installed, and then put the C:\swsetup folder to where it is supposed to be. I'll restart the laptop after that and enjoy the faster loading speeds

[Huffer]

That is mostly true. You will have to install Windows 10 onto the laptop after putting in the SSD using something like a thumb drive installer from the Microsoft Media Creation Tool site. Then yes log on to One Drive and download the C:\swsetup folder you saved there to the hard drive. Then you have to go inside that folder and individually run each little app to install the driver or application you want to add. Same with any other app installers (like say Skype or your antivirus). 

The SSD will be blank when you get it and you have to fill it up with Windows 10 and the files and apps you want to have individually, one at a time. 

[Hyp3rDeath1011]

I think I can use an optical drive HDD/SSD caddy, and then use the software that clones the data on the HDD and puts the data onto the SSD. The SSD comes with the software, so I can easily transfer everything safely. As long as my HDD holds up until then, I will be able to do that option...

[Huffer]

Yes if you wish to clone you do need some kind of adapter. However, if the hard drive has mechanical or file structure problems it is not a good candidate for the source disk in a clone. You can always try the clone and if you aren't happy with the result, do a clean install.