How to Install an SSD without Reinstalling Windows

If you want to make a big swap from an HDD to a prevailing SSD, in this case, you must be interested in how to install an SSD without reinstalling Windows. A fresh/clean install relies on a Windows installation disc and a repeated job of reconstructing computer data.

There is a no-brainer way for you to move Windows installation to the SSD - it is called 'system clone'. By employing the HDD to SSD system clone method, you can keep all your data on the previous HDD and you can set it to run overnight to save your time.

How to Install an SSD on Laptop/PC Without Reinstalling Windows

There are three processes involved when installing a new SSD on a computer. Namely, connect the SSD to your computer, clone the system from HDD to SSD, and replace the old hard drive with the new one. Here we will introduce the detailed steps of each process one by one.

Part 1. How to Connect SSD to Your Windows Computer

Tools you need:

A screwdriver (optional)
A SATA-to-USB cable/SSD enclosure

For both desktop and laptop, you'll need to use the compatible connection method to correctly connect the new SSD to your computer. It's adequate to connect the SSD as an external hard drive without making efforts to uncase your desktop computer for installation. Regarding you prepare a brand new SSD, Windows may ask you to initialize SSD to GPT or MBR for use. Don't skip this procedure.

To initialize a new SSD in Windows:

Go to My Computer/This PC > Storage > Disk Management
The SSD should display as "Not initialized". Right-click on it and choose "Initialize Disk".
Continue with the wizard to choose the MBR or GPT style until the end.

Make sure that your new SSD partition style is aligned with the old HDD. Otherwise, the cloned SSD is likely to suffer from boot issues.

Part 2. How to Clone Windows 10/8/7 from HDD to SSD

We'll demonstrate the system migration process by using Qiling Backup. The top-notch Windows backup software lets you readily install an SSD on your laptop and desktop without reinstalling Windows. Here are some key features of Qiling Backup.

Supports users to clone OS, move Windows to SSD, and upgrade HDD to SSD without data loss.
Enables users to make scheduled backups and restore everything instantly.
Allows users to encrypt backups, protect confidential information.

Free Download

Step 1. Launch Qiling Backup and choose "Disk/Partition clone".

Step 2. Choose the source disk you're going to clone. Here, choose the HDD. Click "Next".

Step 3. Choose the destination disk. Here, choose the SSD. To largely improve the SSD performance after cloning, please do one more selection.

Step 4. Preview a disk layout and click "Proceed". It usually takes a while for the software to clone an HDD to an SSD depending on the size of the source disk.

Tick the option for "Optimize for SSD"

Finish all three steps, you can successfully clone Raspberry Pi SD card to another card. And if you are looking for a tutorial to clone USB flash drive, this guide is also helpful! Just try it whenever you have a need.

Part 3. How to Install SSD After Clone

The laptop only permits one hard drive installing on it, so you have to remove the old HDD and replace it with the cloned SSD.

For laptops:

Shut down the laptop completely
Disconnect all the external connections including the SSD
Use the screwdriver to open the back cover of the laptop and take out the battery
Carefully take out the HDD with the help of your gentle fingers, and then fit the new SSD in the place
Close the back cover and reboot your laptop

For desktops:

It depends on how you're going to deal with the old HDD. You can either keep it untouched, or format it as a storage drive, or remove it from your computer case. It's all up to you.

Case 1. Keep both HDD and SSD

To let Windows choose the SSD to boot from, you need to change the BIOS boot order. Place the SSD ahead of other connected drives so that the computer will boot up from the SSD in the future.

If you prefer deleting Windows from the hard drive and turning it into a pure data storage drive, the linked page has detailed instructions.

Case 2. Remove the HDD and install SSD on it

Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet
Unscrew and remove the sides of your computer's case
Place the SSD into its mounting bracket or a removable bay, line it up with the holes underneath, and then screw it in
Connect a SATA power cable to the SSD
Restore all the parts to the initial state and reboot your computer

Bonus Tip: SSD Specifications for Laptops

Widely seen SSD specifications for laptops are as follow.

SIZE: 2.5-inch; 1.8-inch for ultraportable notebooks.
THICKNESS: 7mm ~ 9.5mm
INTERFACE: SATA or IDE; SATA drives are most widely used in nowadays laptops.

Besides getting a new SSD with the right form factor and interface, you'll make sure its capacity is at least enough to hold the whole operating system drive, generally the C drive.

Move Windows to SSD FAQs

1. What else will be transferred by using the System Clone feature?

When you use the "System Clone" to migrate Windows OS from HDD to SSD to escape from reinstalling, you move all the OS installation files as well as resided programs, downloads, user profile, system configurations, and personal data.

2. Can any laptop be upgraded to SSD?

You need to check the upgradability at first. You can consult your laptop manual for instructions on getting to that drive and finding the right replacement drive.

3. Why Cloned SSD won't boot?

The cloned drive did not set to be the boot drive
The boot mode is wrong. You need to convert MBR to GPT if the motherboard is UEFI.
The source disk had bad sectors or other corruption issues and they are all brought to the new SSD.
Many more concerning reasons can be found in cloned SSD won't boot.