Upgrading Laptop HDD

Polymathic

Polymathic

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My laptop has slowed down considerably over the past couple months it now takes about around 4 minutes for all the startup programs to load, so I want to upgrade to an SSD. Then the question comes to mind "What is the simplest way to upgrade my HDD and keep my Windows License" I don't mind reinstalling all my programs again.

On a related note I opened Disk Management and found the following partitions:
Disk 0 partition 1 : 500mb
Disk 0 partition 4 : 750mb
Disk 0 partition 6: 831mb
Disk 0 partition 7: 9.15mb
DIAGS 36MB
OS: 920GB

This laptop shipped with Windows 8.1 and upgraded to Windows 10
 
A mate of mine bought a ssd. removed his dvd player and installed a ssd case. He then cloned the hdd to the ssd. He then changed the boot sequence to boot up with the ssd.

mmmig said:
My laptop has slowed down considerably over the past couple months it now takes about around 4 minutes for all the startup programs to load, so I want to upgrade to an SSD. Then the question comes to mind "What is the simplest way to upgrade my HDD and keep my Windows License" I don't mind reinstalling all my programs again.

On a related note I opened Disk Management and found the following partitions:
Disk 0 partition 1 : 500mb
Disk 0 partition 4 : 750mb
Disk 0 partition 6: 831mb
Disk 0 partition 7: 9.15mb
DIAGS 36MB
OS: 920GB

This laptop shipped with Windows 8.1 and upgraded to Windows 10
Click to expand...
 
spiff said:
A mate of mine bought a ssd. removed his dvd player and installed a ssd case. He then cloned the hdd to the ssd. He then changed the boot sequence to boot up with the ssd.
Click to expand...
Not always an option, as a lot of laptops will not have a drive caddy to replace the DVD with a 2.5" drive.

You can buy an usb enclosure , and do the same, but it will take a hella time
 
Hamish McPanji said:
Not always an option, as a lot of laptops will not have a drive caddy to replace the DVD with a 2.5" drive.

You can buy an usb enclosure , and do the same, but it will take a hella time
Click to expand...
Since he says it's cool installing apps from scratch, can run windows reset beforehand? Will keep his license key.
Settings > Update & security > Recovery > reset this PC.

Then he'll only have the Windows install to copy over.
 
Johnatan56 said:
Since he says it's cool installing apps from scratch, can run windows reset beforehand? Will keep his license key.
Settings > Update & security > Recovery > reset this PC.

Then he'll only have the Windows install to copy over.
Click to expand...
I think he needs to split his media off onto another partition just in case.

One advantage of moving to an SSD, I've found is that you become more efficient in trimming off what's not required on your PC, and storing it elsewhere. Before, deleting stuff or clearing stuff up was an option. Now it's not
 
Hamish McPanji said:
I think he needs to split his media off onto another partition just in case.

One advantage of moving to an SSD, I've found is that you become more efficient in trimming off what's not required on your PC, and storing it elsewhere. Before, deleting stuff or clearing stuff up was an option. Now it's not
Click to expand...
It's not? Currently on a 1TB SSD moving from a 1TB HDD, I did start out fresh though. Problem is I need 550GB of space for stuff I can't trim.
 
Johnatan56 said:
It's not? Currently on a 1TB SSD moving from a 1TB HDD, I did start out fresh though. Problem is I need 550GB of space for stuff I can't trim.
Click to expand...
And how many people have a 1TB SSD? Or will be buying one soon?
 
Johnatan56 said:
Since he says it's cool installing apps from scratch, can run windows reset beforehand? Will keep his license key.
Settings > Update & security > Recovery > reset this PC.

Then he'll only have the Windows install to copy over.
Click to expand...
Can the reset fail?
Hamish McPanji said:
Did you just say 920GB? How much of that is media?
Click to expand...
920GB total space I've used 360GB but that's mostly some RAW files and videos I've haven't gotten around to deleting
 
mmmig said:
Can the reset fail?

920GB total space I've used 360GB but that's mostly some RAW files and videos I've haven't gotten around to deleting
Click to expand...
And capacity of SDD you are planning on moving to?
 
mmmig said:
I'm going to clean up all the junk on this HDD and see if I can getaway with a 120GB SSD
Click to expand...
Eish, man. Don't even go there. I would recommend a 256gb minimum, as it's a laptop adding an extra drive is not an option. Buy a usb enclosure for the cloning, and once done use your hard disk in there for all the crap you don't wanna throw away
 
Laptops usually have the licence key stored in the BIOS. Just use the same CD when you reinstall windows.

Alternately, buy a WD or a Samsung SSD, you can download disk cloning software from the respective vendor website. You'll need an extra enclosure though. I've done this several times and it works well.
 
mmmig said:
Can the reset fail?
Click to expand...
As far as I am aware, no, haven't had that happen to me or heard of it happening bar if the hardware itself crashes.
Do note your Windows key is tied to the hardware, you should be fine if you reinstall.
 
IMO it's worth digging out a couple of hundred extra and going for a good, recent-generation SSD. You'll get much better lifespan. I recommend Samsung 860 or WD Blue, 250GB if that's all you can afford. Larger drives also benefit from longer lifespans, even if you don't use the capacity.
 
mmmig said:
...Then the question comes to mind "What is the simplest way to upgrade my HDD and keep my Windows License" I don't mind reinstalling all my programs again....
Click to expand...
I do not recommend cloning your drive. Go to the Microsoft website and download the Win 10 ISO, when installed your copy will authenticate automatically.

Check this link out. It explains the whole process. I've done this procedure on 4 laptops with no problems.

Basically it explains how to download win 10 to a USB stick, then use that to install it on the new SSD you would have fitted into your system.

Shout if you need help.

P.S. I recommend the WD Green 240GB drive. I've bought it twice and it is great value.
 
Basically this ^^^ as others have mentioned before.

If it doesn't activate automatically, then you work on a plan B
 
The WD Green SSD's have cr@ptastic IOPS, rather spend the extra 100-200 mandelas on a WD Blue or another brand
 
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