New SSD and Windows 8 Installation

[hunyadi]

I recently upgraded to Windows 8 on my HDD. I purchased an SSD and want to make it the primary drive. This wouldn't be such an issue had I bought the cd (though that is a waste of money). In order to install the OS I need to log in to Microsoft and download the .exe file. How can I install Win 8 on my the SSD? I saw that I can make a bootable USB drive, but I'd rather just install it directly from Microsoft. Could I install it on the SSD while as a slave drive, then make it the primary drive through BIOS? Also, would I need to clear my HDD, because I want to make it the secondary drive? Thanks.

 

[Jman13]

Easiest way is to download the EXE...and then you can create a bootable USB or burn a DVD from the installer. (it's very easy). Reboot, install on your SSD (remove other hard drives to make it easier...I did this for Win 7, and didn't for Win 8, and had fun wrangling boot stuff for a while)...and you'll be done very quickly.

 

[bramke]

http://hexus.net/tech/tech-explained/software/31765-how-install-windows-8-usb-drive/

 

[corkyg]

The normal download of OS files from Microsoft is in ISO format. From that, you can create a DVD, or even bootable flash media. If you have SATA drives, remember that the old Master/Slave choices no longer exist. SATA drives are numbered, and anyone of them can be designated as boot drive.