Hey everyone, I'm planning to build a new PC and I want to keep my current SSD. What's the best way to transfer it? It's been a while since I've dealt with PC building, so I could use a fresh perspective. Should I simply plug in the SSD and reinstall Windows, or is there a better method? I've looked for good guides but most seem outdated. Any tips would be appreciated!
3 Answers
You can definitely just plug it in and reinstall Windows without any extra steps, but keep in mind you might end up with some leftover drivers from your old system. If you don't mind a bit of cleanup afterward, that approach works fine. I usually swap drives between systems without reinstalling, but it can get messy, so I like to have multiple drives for safety. If Windows does get borked, there’s less to worry about losing everything.
Using tools like Hiren's Boot CD or Parted Magic to perform a secure erase beforehand is optional, but it can help. It essentially resets the SSD to a factory state, which may lead to better performance post-installation. You'll need a Windows USB drive handy to complete the installation after the secure erase, but it’s not strictly necessary. Just helps to start fresh!
I recommend doing a clean install of Windows when you move to a new machine. Some people just plug the SSD in and go, but a fresh install gives you the best performance. Just plug in your SSD, boot from the installation media, and you can delete the existing partitions during the install. It’s also worth considering a secure erase if you want everything completely fresh. Just remember, with a clean install, you’ll lose everything on that drive, so back up your important files first!
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