1

I've installed a new SSD on my laptop after removing its optical drive. My Windows 8.1 install is located on the HDD that is divided into a C:\ partition that holds the OS and programs, and a D:\ partition that holds my files and such. I would like to migrate the OS to the SSD.

Is it possible to boot from USB and install Windows on the SSD and then format the C:\ drive and merge it into the D:\?

I ended up installing Windows 8.1 on the SSD and then used EaseUS Partition Master to clean up the partitions. cleaning up the partitions proved to have difficulty because the old C:\ was still being used from some settings and could not be removed with the stock windows disk manager. After a few hours of messing around with it, I eventually got everything to how I wanted it.

Improve this question
2
  • You can use any backup software to move OS from one place to another.
    – BDRSuite
    Mar 6, 2015 at 21:13
  • Yes, you can do that. A tutorial on the entire process would be pretty broad. Have you done any research yet, including searching Super User? There are a lot of ramifications, potential pitfalls, etc. Going from novice to comfortable handling anything you might run into is a lot of territory. Do some general research and then ask about specific things you find unclear.
    – fixer1234
    Mar 6, 2015 at 21:22

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

Clonezilla is free, boots from USB and will do exactly what you want. It will allow you to clone whole disks or just partitions and is pretty quick as well. Additionally it can image disks, allowing you backup and rapidly restore a system snapshot if you're ever thinking about doing something drastic to your system. Handy!

Improve this answer
2
  • I will give it a shot.
    – user2337029
    Mar 6, 2015 at 20:39
  • Thanks for the tip but I chose to go a different route.
    – user2337029
    Mar 9, 2015 at 21:55
0

I can only add to previous answer Acronis, Paragon programs that will help you a lot with migrating and backing up. offtopic: you should install your SSD on the HDD place, because of SATA 3, whereas optical drive has only SATA 2 connection - this affects the speed. I have such configuration and it works great.

Improve this answer
3
  • How much of a speed difference is it?
    – user2337029
    Mar 9, 2015 at 21:54
  • Acronis offers a lot and the cloning engine works a treat, I've used it a few times. Crucial SSDs come bundled with it (or at least they do here in the UK, not sure about elsewhere) if anyone's thinking about going for that particular brand.
    – ScunnerDarkly
    Mar 9, 2015 at 22:47
  • @user2337029 somebody notice difference, somebody doesn't. here sata 2 compared to sata 3 forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2288231
    – Alexander Kozachenko
    Mar 10, 2015 at 12:38

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .