Solved Replacing HDD with SSD in Lenovo Y40-80; Windows 8.1

Hello,

Edit: My apologies; I believe I should have posted this in "Installation & Setup "

I have a new laptop (Lenovo Y40-80), fresh out of the box, and wish to replace the HDD with a SSD. I'd like confirmation that I'm taking all the correct and necessary steps to do this, as it's my first time. My plan below:

1) What I have:
- old (currently installed, original) hard drive; with OEM Windows 8.1
- new SSD: Samsung 850 EVO, 500GB
- hard drive USB docking station
- Windows 8.1 installation media on USB (which accepts both OEM and retail keys), downloaded from here: Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
(Thank you @genet)
- my current OEM Windows 8.1 key, which I learned how to retrieve from here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html
(Thank you @Brink)

2) Download drivers from original HDD to a thumb drive

3) Open laptop - remove old hard drive - put in new SSD - close laptop (plenty of youtube videos showing this step)

4) Turn on computer, and boot from USB which contains the Windows 8.1 installation media; follow instructions to install OS using my OEM key

5) Plug in USB which contains drivers; begin by installing trackpad driver, then wireless network driver; then install all other drivers

This is everything I plan on doing. Are there any steps I should add, or above listed steps that I should do differently? I'm not sure if I should be doing anything with existing program files stored on current C: drive. Also is it necessary to do a complete System Image Backup before removing the HDD? I had problems doing this (file history wouldn't recognize my thumb drive), so I haven't done this backup.

Thank you so much in advance for your time and help!

The Samsung SSDs come with a migration disk which works well unless you want a clean install w/o the bloatware. Personal data files (music/videas/documents can be copied to a ext HDD till your ready to put them on the SSD. or using the docking station after installation you can use Windows Easy Transfer(under Windows System on the Apps screen).

Question regarding step #2. Do you have the driver install files on your hdd? You can't copy the installed drivers so if you don't already have the driver install files you will need to download them from the Lenovo website and put them on your thumbdrive.

Cliff S said:

The Samsung SSDs come with a migration disk which works well unless you want a clean install w/o the bloatware. Personal data files (music/videas/documents can be copied to a ext HDD till your ready to put them on the SSD. or using the docking station after installation you can use Windows Easy Transfer(under Windows System on the Apps screen).
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Thank you Cliff; I prefer to do a clean install to remove the bloatware. With that said, will be plan as described work?

strollin said:

Question regarding step #2. Do you have the driver install files on your hdd? You can't copy the installed drivers so if you don't already have the driver install files you will need to download them from the Lenovo website and put them on your thumbdrive.

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Thank you Strollin, yes I did copy the drivers folder directly from my current HDD C: drive to a thumb drive. You're saying this will not work?

You need to go to the Lenovo site and download the drivers and save(not install) them to the usb at least your WLAN, LAN drivers for internet after the install and for your graphics(I recommend all though). Yes I did similar with Windows 7, but make sure AHCI is turned on in BIOS then install the OS after that install drivers through the USB then check for updates(Have fun with that part).