Convert HDD-SSD

[Ted Myers]

Hello, I found this site that demonstrates how to change an HDD to SSD. Would you recommend attempting it or not?
-

HDD-SSD.docx

[HansV]

ShadowMaker has good reviews, but make sure that you know how to perform the steps:

• Buy an SSD with sufficient capacity.
• Install the SSD in your computer.
• Run ShadowMaker to clone your HDD to the new SSD.
• Go into your computer's BIOS to set the SSD as startup disk.
• Disconnect the HDD.

If you feel unsure about any of these steps, don't start the process, or ask a knowledgeable friend to do it.

Something else to consider: if you have the license keys for all your software including Windows, you might backup all your documents, then perform a clean installation on the new SSD instead of cloning the existing one, and then restore your documents to the SSD. It'll take more time, but a fresh start often offers better performance.

[Ted Myers]

I was under the impression it was to convert my HDD to SSD as my laptop is very slow, so I'll put up with it for a little longer as I'm going to win the lotto tonight.

A Hand.jpg

[HansV]

An SDD is a completely different animal than a HDD. It is not possible to convert one to the other.

[Ted Myers]

No matter how long you live, there is always something new to learn. Cheers.

[HansV]

A HDD is a spinning disk, while an SSD is basically a kind of memory chip - no moving parts. So they're physically totally different.

[BobH]

Ted's question makes me wonder if the HDD in a laptop can be replaced with an SSD; and, if so, how would it be done?

[stuck]

Ted's question makes me wonder if the HDD in a laptop can be replaced with an SSD; and, if so, how would it be done?

It was many years ago but I did just that to my son's Acer laptop. The physical bit was as simple as undoing a few screws to remove the bit of the back casing that covered the disk, removing the old HDD, plugging in the new SSD (they had the same form factor) then screwing the back plate in place again. The software side took a bit longer but it too was straightforward because the laptop had a DVD drive (that tells you how long ago it was when I did this) so first up was a clean install of Win 7, activation, then the application software.

Ken

[BobH]

Thanks, Ken!

My laptop has a DVD, too!

I would prefer to avoid a reinstall of Windows 10. Is there another way this might be done? Would moving the existing HDD to the available slot for a second HDD while placing the SSD in the primary slot make the process any easier? Due to hardware differences, I suspect that a simple copy or even a less simple clone would not work.

[HansV]

The document attached by Ted Myers to the first post claims that Minitool ShadowMaker can clone a HDD to an SDD. Disclaimer: I have never tried this myself.

[Ted Myers]

I could easily scrap my Lenovo laptop with the HDD as I keep a copy of everything in 2 other locations. There is a clearance section in Argos where I could purchase an almost past it's sell by date for a lot less than a newer model. As I don't like Win 11 set up at present, I will leave thigs as they are at present.

[BobH]

Thanks, Hans, and you, too, Ted, for raising the subject.