Can I boot windows from an SSD instead of the default HDD in my desktop?

[womenwill]

Hello,

I have a desktop that came with a 2TB HDD which has Windows 10 installed on it (from the manufacturer). My friend help me remove the CD ROM drive that came in the desktop, and I think she knows how to use that port (in which the CD ROM drive was installed) to put in a SSD drive.

She suggested I use the SSD drive to boot windows and the HDD for storage, but I do not know how to do this.

I have the Macrium Reflect free version on the desktop, but don't know what to do next...

How can I install windows on the SSD and have the computer boot from it?

Thank you very much

 

[deustroop]

First off, I take it that the ssd is installed ? Is it fully installed ? Boot the machine and determine whether the ssd is recognized in windows. It might show up under My PC as a separate drive. That's best.It might only show up in disk management , an app accessible from the windows Start Menu at windows admin tools / computer management/disk management. If it does not show up in My PC, ask you friend to " complete the install " so it is fully available to the windows OS. Or return here for that help.

Next, your options are to clone the existing hdd to the ssd or install windows on the ssd. A clone is more productive since a full install requires resetting apps and installing programs already set up on the hdd. Use Macrium and below is an FAQ on how-to.

http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Cloning+a+disk


Is the size of the ssd =/> the hdd ? If the ssd is a smaller size, a catch is that the clone will transfer all the data on the hdd so the ssd has to be large enough to support the entire used portion of the 2TB drive.

Install Macrium, boot to the hdd with the ssd attached and clone away. Then remove the hdd and boot to the ssd. All good ?

Then you will have two bootable drives. Most users will format the hdd and use it as new storage but it's advisable to also consider a back up plan using that drive . Backup is the first principle of life.

Woe to he/she/it who fails to heed this advice!

 

[womenwill]

First off, I take it that the ssd is installed ? Is it fully installed ? Boot the machine and determine whether the ssd is recognized in windows. It might show up under My PC as a separate drive. That's best.It might only show up in disk management , an app accessible from the windows Start Menu at windows admin tools / computer management/disk management. If it does not show up in My PC, ask you friend to " complete the install " so it is fully available to the windows OS. Or return here for that help.

Next, your options are to clone the existing hdd to the ssd or install windows on the ssd. A clone is more productive since a full install requires resetting apps and installing programs already set up on the hdd. Use Macrium and below is an FAQ on how-to.

http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Cloning+a+disk


Is the size of the ssd =/> the hdd ? If the ssd is a smaller size, a catch is that the clone will transfer all the data on the hdd so the ssd has to be large enough to support the entire used portion of the 2TB drive.

Install Macrium, boot to the hdd with the ssd attached and clone away. Then remove the hdd and boot to the ssd. All good ?

Then you will have two bootable drives. Most users will format the hdd and use it as new storage but it's advisable to also consider a back up plan using that drive . Backup is the first principle of life.

Woe to he/she/it who fails to heed this advice!

Thank you duestroop

I will follow these instructions and get back on here

I am not sure if the SSD is fully installed, in fact, the SSD is not even connected to the desktop as yet, the original slot for the CD ROM is empty, I plan to plug in the SSD there

What steps do I need to take to fully install the SSD?

Thank you

 

[deustroop]

What motherboard is installed, what cpu ?

Look at
How to create and format new partition using Disk Management

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-format-new-hard-drive-windows-10

The catch here is to determine if the drive should use the GPT or MBR partition style, an option you must chose. When you have disk management open, right click on the space just below the drive number assigned to the hdd. Then select Properties and determine the partition style of that drive.
When setting up this new drive, select the same partition style as the installed drive.