Installing existing Windows OS on new SSD

[Chrisxie85]

Hi friends!

I just accquired a samsung 970 evo m.2 ssd and would like to install my existing windows OS onto the drive. However, I would like to keep the data files in my current drive as a backup just in case I need some of the files inside. Is that possible? Could any kind souls guide me on how to install the windows onto the new ssd? Thanks!

 

[commach]

Clone the existing drive to the SSD.

 

[Koenig168]

You can download the software from Samsung to clone over your existing SSD.

However, I hope you are not hoping to use that 970 evo with your MSI Z97M. Different M.2 format.

 

[Chrisxie85]

Clone the existing drive to the SSD.

Hi thanks for the prompt reply! Sorry but I meant to install the existing Windows OS like a new installation on the new drive (keeping the current data & OS on the old drive as backup first)~

 

[Chrisxie85]

You can download the software from Samsung to clone over your existing SSD.

However, I hope you are not hoping to use that 970 evo with your MSI Z97M. Different M.2 format.

Oh dear! I thought its possible to use it just at reduced speeds? Or totally can't use at all?

 

[Ark Law]

Hi thanks for the prompt reply! Sorry but I meant to install the existing Windows OS like a new installation on the new drive (keeping the current data & OS on the old drive as backup first)~

Clone then reset.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-sg/help/12415

 

[eric3743]

Hi thanks for the prompt reply! Sorry but I meant to install the existing Windows OS like a new installation on the new drive (keeping the current data & OS on the old drive as backup first)~

Are you doing fresh install for this existing Windows 7 computer or another on which Windows OS.

Currently there is a way to upgrade & fresh install Windows 10 using your existing Windows 7 product key.

 

[Koenig168]

Oh dear! I thought its possible to use it just at reduced speeds? Or totally can't use at all?

The Z97M should be SATA Express (which nobody uses) and the 970 Evo is PCIe. I don't think these two are compatible but the whole thing is admittedly confusing. Perhaps someone wiser than me will have a different opinion.

 

[Phen8210]

Clone then reset.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-sg/help/12415

^ .. answer is here ts

clone then reset your os without deleting files.. alternatively you can back up first then reformat.

 

[Chrisxie85]

Are you doing fresh install for this existing Windows 7 computer or another on which Windows OS.

Currently there is a way to upgrade & fresh install Windows 10 using your existing Windows 7 product key.

Hmm, would prefer to do a fresh OS install for this existing computer rather than clone. But keeping my old ssd files~ Any idea how I can do it? Thanks

 

[commach]

Hmm, would prefer to do a fresh OS install for this existing computer rather than clone. But keeping my old ssd files~ Any idea how I can do it? Thanks

Method1, disconnect the power cable from the existing HDD and perform a fresh installation on the SSD. After Windows installation completed, re-connect the power cable to the HDD. Power up the system and change the first boot device as SSD. Upon reboot to the newly installed Windows desktop, you will be able to access all the data in the HDD.

Method2, remove the existing HDD from the system, install the new SSD and perform a fresh installation of Windows. Buy an external 3.5" enclosure and place the HDD in it, use it as external HDD for data access/backup.

 

[Cocoon33]

Method1, disconnect the power cable from the existing HDD and perform a fresh installation on the SSD. After Windows installation completed, re-connect the power cable to the HDD. Power up the system and change the first boot device as SSD. Upon reboot to the newly installed Windows desktop, you will be able to access all the data in the HDD.

Method2, remove the existing HDD from the system, install the new SSD and perform a fresh installation of Windows. Buy an external 3.5" enclosure and place the HDD in it, use it as external HDD for data access/backup.

In such case, the computer have 2 windows10 OS in it, it would complicated the system. It’s better to backup the old ssd data files to other drive first, then reformat the ssd to basic drive & copy back the files.

 

[Allanlee82]

Oh dear! I thought its possible to use it just at reduced speeds? Or totally can't use at all?

totally cannot use, you would have to buy another m.2 nvme adapter and plug it into your spare pcie slot

Hmm, would prefer to do a fresh OS install for this existing computer rather than clone. But keeping my old ssd files~ Any idea how I can do it? Thanks

if you dont want to clone, first you would need to detach your existing OS drive, plug in the new m.2 and do a fresh install of windows. after which, you can plug back in your old drive but in the bios, you will have to make sure that the first start up drive is the m.2. once inside windows, the ssd will appear as a secondary drive (if not you have to go device management and assign the drive to the ssd)

 

[eric3743]

Hmm, would prefer to do a fresh OS install for this existing computer rather than clone. But keeping my old ssd files~ Any idea how I can do it? Thanks

Follow the either methods listed on post #11 by commach.

For the samsung 970 evo m.2 ssd you may have to check as mentioned in post #13 and another that stated on the specification.

Btw which Windows OS are you on.. as Windows 7 in your profile on the right.

If you intend to upgrade/fresh install to Windows 10 still possible by using Windows 7 product key, optional.

 

[Koenig168]

I took a look at the Z97M manual. It appears that the M.2 port can work with PCIe SSD. There are some limitations which you can check out on page 1-26.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z97M-GAMING#down-manual

 

[commach]

In such case, the computer have 2 windows10 OS in it, it would complicated the system. It’s better to backup the old ssd data files to other drive first, then reformat the ssd to basic drive & copy back the files.

There is no complication having 2 drives with bootable Windows installed. TS want a clean installation of Windows and preferred the existing HDD as data backup drive.

I'm using 2 desktop system with 2 bootable drive, 1st system dual boot Windows7 32bit (data card for the CNC support only 32bit Windows) and the other WIndows7 64bit for CAD/CAM and preparation of G-code for the CNC machine.

2nd system dual boot Windows7 64bit and Windows10 64bit, never encounter any complication for the past few years.

One of the laptop upgrade to SSD and use the default 500GB HDD as backup drive and external drive with a 2.5" enclosure. All my key system are dual drive, no worry about drive failure unless both failed at the same time. IMHO, way better than RAID1 whereby both drive will encounter the same problem of BSOD or virus infection.