Windows 10: How to Put OS on new SSD while keeping existing HDD for existing games

Hi there, I've recently bought a new SSD for the purpose of moving my Windows 10 OS onto it from my existing HDD. I plan on using SSD for the OS and keep my current HDD to hold all my existing games and other files. I have been trying to find ways to do so but there doesn't seem to be a clear way to accomplish this so I thought I would ask the following questions. For reference the SSD is 250 GB and the HDD is 1 TB.


I was wondering the following:

1. if I fresh install Windows 10 on my SSD using Windows creation tool and a bootable media, once I boot from my SSD the current registries will no longer work for my games and such that I have on my HDD if I'm correct. How would I be able to fix this, do I need to reinstall everything again onto my HDD?


2. If I migrate clone all the data from my HDD onto my SSD and then delete only the games/personal files on my SSD, would this still result in the registries being messed up or could I then play my games off the HDD without having to reinstall everything.


3. Would it be possible to move all my personal files ex. videos, documents, etc... onto a USB, wipe the HDD, install windows onto the SSD, and then reinstall the programs NOT on the USB onto the HDD and copy/paste the personal files from the USB back onto the HDD


Thank you for your help I really really appreciate it!!!

:)

 

OS on new SSD, keep existing data on HDD and use as external drive

I want to use a new SSD to run my OS on my PC. I have a lot of data on my HDD and dont want it on the SSD but do want to keep it.

I have read that you shouldn't use an external drive that has Windows installed so how would i go about doing what I need?

I.e. get Windows onto the SSD, replace HDD with SSD, use HDD as external drive, and keep data from HDD on HDD.

Thanks!

(P.s. any guides or instructions to any steps would be great but if not then no issue)

 

OS on new SSD, keep existing data on HDD and use as external drive

Hi,

use steps you suggested, there should be no problem.

Just replace HDD with SSD first then run installation. Do not forget to remove Windows files from HDD after the end of a process.

 

OS on new SSD, keep existing data on HDD and use as external drive

Thanks for the response. So you suggest installing Windows on SSD, swap out HDD, then just remove Windows files? How would I go about doing this?

Is this safe to do?