Solved Installing Windows 8 to an SSD

ms4sman

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I am planning on purchasing an SSD to put in my laptop, but it will not be replacing the standard hard drive, they will just be side-by-side. I will be completely reformatting the regular drive so that I can install Windows 8 on the SSD and use the old one as just plain storage. However, I am not sure how I will reinstall Windows 8 when I get to that point. If I use the reset feature, it will reinstall to my standard drive right? How do I install to the SSD? I looked around and I can't seem to find anywhere to download an ISO of Windows 8 or 8.1. I keep seeing this site however, which says that I can put the installer on a disc or USB. That would be fine, but it says that it only works for upgrading an existing system, but I will be doing a clean install to an SSD. I hope this makes some sense, and maybe someone can help. Thanks!

EDIT: Looking at this recent post with a similar problem, and I am still having trouble. I understand that finding the installation media is the tricky part, but does anyone know of a good place to get the installation media? If it helps, I am using an ASUS N56VJ.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N56VJ
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 3630 QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 635M
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/MalwareBytes
Have you made the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?



information   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD. (Windows 8 only)
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2855-system-repair-disc-create-windows-8-a.html (Windows 8 only)




I would recommend you making the OEM manufacturer's Recovery DVD's or USB drive.
or
You can order the Microsoft official OEM Recovery disks from the OEM manufacturer's website.



How to clone your SATA drive to a SSD drive.
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/17083-how-migrate-os-new-hard-disk.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Hi

Since your Windows is an OEM version ( came Pre-installed ) , you may need to download an unmodified MSDN edition of "Win 8.1" from internet and use that for clean installation. You will find more details from the below link.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...tted-genuine-windows-8-lenovo.html#post330277


However i would suggest migrating your currently installed OS to SSD using the trial version of "Paragon Backup and Recovery Home".

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/17083-how-migrate-os-new-hard-disk.html

After successfully completing the migration, disconnect HDD and connect SSD in it's slot. If SSD boot fine, you can connect HDD as slave and delete partitions to reclaim disk space.

Edit:

Parallel posting - Didn't noticed theog's reply.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
So from what you guys are suggesting, if I use the standard reset feature of Windows 8, then immediately migrate it onto my SSD I should be able to accomplish what I am trying for right? Or am I completely confused here?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N56VJ
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 3630 QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 635M
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/MalwareBytes
Hi

Creating and keeping a "Recovery Drive" will help you recovering Windows if anything goes wrong. To migrate your OS to SSD using theog's tutorial, you don't need to perform a "Reset" operation. Connect the SSD and use "Paragon Backup and Recovery" to migrate the OS to it. Then test the SSD by configuring it as the primary boot device.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that I had mentioned that I was going to reset my PC anyway to clean things up on it. I thought as long as I was already going to be reinstalling everything, I might as well buy the new SSD I've been wanting. So to clear things up, I can just reset my PC like I was planning on, then once I'm done with that, I can just use the method above to migrate it to the SSD?

Now that I think I have that straightened out, I had a couple of questions on the process of migrating to the SSD.
1.) In step 2, why does it say that I need to install the SSD to a USB? Can't I just install it like I normally would? (in this case, it will be taking the place of my optical disc drive)
2.) On the page asking about copy options, I am not clear about which options I need to choose. The hard drive my computer came with is a 1TB, and the SSD will be 250GB. Which options will I need?
3.) Once the process is done, I can just reformat the standard hard drive and use it for general storage correct?

Sorry I am asking what probably are pretty simple and dumb questions, but I am relatively new to SSDs. Thanks for the help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N56VJ
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 3630 QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 635M
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/MalwareBytes
So to clear things up, I can just reset my PC like I was planning on, then once I'm done with that, I can just use the method above to migrate it to the SSD?

Yes, you can do that but remember to backup any data from Desktop , Documents or libraries to an external medium before the "Reset" operation.


1.) In step 2, why does it say that I need to install the SSD to a USB? Can't I just install it like I normally would? (in this case, it will be taking the place of my optical disc drive)

Removing optical drive and connecting SSD in it's place is not an easy task for everyone. Also it is not possible with some models. Putting SSD in to a USB enclosure is very easy and anybody can do that. If you prefer, you can try removing optical drive and connecting SSD in it's slot.

2.) On the page asking about copy options, I am not clear about which options I need to choose. The hard drive my computer came with is a 1TB, and the SSD will be 250GB. Which options will I need?

A 250 GB SSD will have roughly around 232 GB storage space. As long as the total size of used space in your 1TB HDD is lower than 232 GB ( which includes "C:" , Hidden Recovery Partition etc ) , Paragon will Migrate OS without issues. So perform the "Reset" operation first to clean any personal and unwanted files from the "C" drive. If there is an additional drive in the machine ( ie "D: " ) , move any data stored in it to an external drive and delete the partition.

When performing the migration, follow theog's instructions exactly ( as per the screen shot ). For example in step 8 , you should select the option "Copy Data and resize Partitions Proportionally". That option will automatically resize your "C" drive to fit in the smaller SSD.

3.) Once the process is done, I can just reformat the standard hard drive and use it for general storage correct?

Once the process is completed, you should double check and make sure the SSD boot fine and working as intended. If everything seems to be okay, you can format the HDD and use it for data storage.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Hi there
C'mon guys you are making this TOO complicated - it's simple.

1) Backup current OS to external HDD (Free macrium or equivalent) ,
2) restore to SSD while SSD is connected to computer via USB==>SATA connector.
3) fit SSD into computer
4) change boot order priority in BIOS and boot. You can delete / re-format the other HDD at will.

(You need the system partition and the Windows (C) partition to copy -- it's alsways a good idea to have the OS and programs separate from your user data. The partition shouldn't need to be more than 60 GB (max) even for large windows installation.

You can re-size paritions etc with GPARTED (also FREE).

If you don't have a spare external drive split present HDD to C and D. Ensure only OS and PGMs are on C and any user data (music, video etc) is copied to D. Adjust partition size with GPARTED. then step 1 - write image to the D partition and restore to SSD from D partition. Backup / restore works better than "Copy" or Clone disk IMO. Don't forget the small 100 MB system / boot partition if it exists.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I am aware that I don't necessarily need to do a reset of my computer for this process to work, but I was already planning on reinstalling Windows 8 anyway, and decided it would be a good time to order the SSD I have been wanting. My plan is to put the original HDD from the laptop into the caddy which is going to replace my optical drive. Then I plan to put the new SSD in the place of the original HDD. The trouble is how to do a clean install to the SSD. I can't download a Windows 8 ISO because I have an OEM key which doesn't allow you to download a disc image. So what I planned to do was back everything I want to keep up to external media, then do a full reset of the computer (because as far as I know, this doesn't give you the option to choose what drive to install to), then use the method described here to migrate everything from the HDD to the SSD. Then I will just format and repartition the HDD and use it as a data drive.

I don't have the SSD yet (it is on order) so this is all just trying to plan out what I will do when I have it. From what I understand, using the method I mentioned above, I can use that Paragon program to move the partitions on the HDD exactly as they are after a full reset, directly onto the SSD. Then I will do as you mentioned and change boot priority and repartition the data drive. Am I correct?

Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N56VJ
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 3630 QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 635M
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/MalwareBytes
Final Resolution:

I backed up all my important data to an external HDD, then completely wiped the original HDD installed the SSD in its place, cleanly installed Windows 8 from a disc, then installed the original HDD in a caddy in the slot normally occupied by the optical drive. Then I partitioned the HDD and am now using it as a data drive with no issues. Thanks for all the help everyone here!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N56VJ
    CPU
    Intel i7 - 3630 QM
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce 635M
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/MalwareBytes
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