How do I replace my desktop's HDD with an SSD without reinstalling the operating system?

Your desktop's HDD can get slower and slower after years of use. In this case, the best solution is to replace your desktop's HDD with an SSD. But can you put an SSD in a desktop? Of course! This article from Uptodown will explain how to upgrade to an SSD on a desktop without reinstalling Windows and apps. Let's get started!

### What do you need to prep before upgrading your desktop's hard drive to an SSD? Switching out your desktop's HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for an SSD (Solid State Drive) can seriously kick up your rig's speed. Here's what to get ready: 1. **Pick the right SSD**: Find one that fits your needs and wallet. Think about things like storage size, interface type (like SATA or NVMe), brand, and read/write speeds. 2. **Backup your stuff**: Make sure all crucial data is copied to an external drive or cloud service before swapping, so you don't lose anything. 3. **Tools**: You'll probably need a screwdriver to crack open your PC case, and maybe a SATA-to-USB adapter cable if you're cloning your drive. 4. **OS install media**: If you're reinstalling the OS, have a Windows, Mac, or other OS install disc or bootable USB at the ready. 5. **Cloning software** (optional): For a quick move of your system with all settings and apps intact, use something like Acronis True Image, Clonezilla, or AOMEI Backupper. 6. **Drive mounting bracket** (optional): Some desktops might need a specific SSD bracket, especially if the old HDD is 3.5 inches and the new SSD is 2.5 inches. 7. **Power adapter** (optional): If your SSD uses M.2 and your mobo doesn't have a built-in power connector, you might need an M.2 SSD power adapter. Once you've got all this sorted, you can go ahead with the hard drive swap and enjoy a faster computer. Just remember to unplug before you start, and follow ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) safety to protect your hardware.

If you've decided to upgrade your desktop's HDD to an SSD, check out this section for a list of items you'll need to prepare for replacing an HDD with an SSD in a Windows 10 desktop.

**How to Replace a Hard Drive with an SSD in a Desktop Computer** Replacing a traditional hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) in your desktop computer can significantly improve system performance, reduce boot times, and speed up file transfers. Follow these steps to make the switch. **Tools/Supplies** - New SSD (Solid-State Drive) - Screwdriver - Data cable (SATA or M.2, depending on your computer) - Power cable (for SATA drives) - Optional: Hard drive bracket (if the SSD size doesn't match the original) **Steps** 1. **Shut down your computer and disconnect power.** Unplug the power cord from the outlet to ensure the computer is completely disconnected to avoid electrical shocks and data loss. 2. **Open the computer case.** Typically, this involves removing a few screws from the back of the case. Carefully lift the side panel and set it aside safely. 3. **Identify the hard drive location.** If you have multiple drives, locate the one you want to replace. Most desktops use SATA drives, but some might have M.2 drives, depending on your motherboard. - **SATA Drive:** Find the hard drive bay, usually located at the front or rear of the case inside. The drive is secured by screws to the bracket. - **M.2 Drive:** Locate the M.2 slot on the motherboard, typically near the CPU. 4. **Remove the old hard drive.** Loosen the screws securing the drive and gently pull it out. Be careful not to tug on the data and power cables. 5. **Connect the new SSD.** Insert the SSD into its respective interface, ensuring it's securely in place. For SATA drives, attach the data cable and power cable. 6. **Install the SSD (if necessary).** If the new SSD is a different size, you may need a hard drive bracket for compatibility. Place the SSD in the bracket and secure it with screws. 7. **Reattach the case side panel.** Make sure all screws are tightened, then put the side panel back in place and secure it. 8. **Configure BIOS.** Turn on your computer and enter the BIOS settings. Locate the "Boot Order" option and set the SSD as the primary boot device. 9. **Install the operating system.** If your SSD is brand new, you'll need to install the OS. If you cloned your old drive to the SSD, you can proceed directly to booting. 10. **Restore data (optional).** If you didn't clone your data, you can restore files from a backup or manually transfer important files from the old hard drive to the SSD. With your new SSD installed, your desktop should now perform significantly faster.

With that preparation done, you can install the SSD into your desktop and use a disk cloning tool like the well-regarded Disk Copy to migrate your data from your desktop's HDD to the new SSD.

AOMEI Backupper Clone is a simple yet practical Windows 11/10/8/7 cloning tool. It can help you easily and quickly copy data from one hard drive to another. You can also use it to create a local backup of your hard drive. In addition, the AOMEI cloning software also allows you to upgrade to a larger hard drive and migrate data from one computer to another. Here are other features of this cloning tool:

• Clone disks for backup and restoration purposes
• Upgrade HDD to SSD without re-installing Windows
• Replace a failed hard drive for complete data recovery
• Clone a drive with bad sectors hassle-free
• Create a WinPE bootable disk and adjust partition sizes

Whether you're trying to clone, swap out, upgrade, or move Windows and data from one hard drive to another, the Disk Copy tool's got you covered. Ready to protect your computer's hard drive with Disk Copy? Be sure to download and install a trustworthy disk cloning software to help you switch out the HDD in your PC.

Step 1: In Disk Mode, select the HDD you want to clone.

Step 2: Select the SSD as the destination disk.

Step 3: Click “Proceed” after you've finished tweaking your disk layout.

Since the target location is an SSD, it's recommended to check “Tick this option if the target is an SSD.”

If there's no important data on the target disk, the warning message will inform you that the data on the SSD will be erased. Click “OK” to proceed.

Step 4: Wait for the process to complete.

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How to Remove an HDD and Install an SSD in Your Computer

Once the clone is complete, all that's left to do is remove the hard drive from the desktop and install the cloned SSD in its place. Here's how:

Part 1: Remove the Hard Drive from the Desktop Computer

If you want to know how to remove a hard drive from a desktop computer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Backup your data. If you have already backed up your data with the Todo Backup tool, skip this step.

Step two: Turn off the computer and unplug everything.

Third, open the case of the desktop computer.

Step 4: Find the hard drive.

Step 5: Remove the hard drive

Part 2: Installing an SSD on Your Desktop

With the old hard drive removed, you can install your new SSD. Follow these steps to learn how to install an SSD in your computer. Essentially, you'll be doing the reverse of the steps for removing the hard drive.

Step one: Connect the SSD's power or data cable.

Step 2 Make sure all the cables are connected properly, and carefully install and secure the new drive.

Step 3: After installing the new SSD, power on your computer.

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There's also a video on how to install an SSD in a desktop computer.

Why Should You Upgrade to an SSD on Your Desktop?

SSD comes with more advanced features than HDD. Apart from desktop users, many laptop users also choose to replace the laptop hard drive with an SSD. What special benefits can you get from using an SSD?

• Better user experience. SSDs have faster read and write speeds, are more portable, and consume less power, resulting in quicker loading of applications, games, and operating systems.
• Higher data security. With minimal heat generation and vibration during operation, SSDs reduce the risk of data loss due to impacts or vibrations.
• Greater compatibility. SSDs can easily be used to build advanced RAID arrays, something that is not as feasible with mechanical hard drives.

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have many advantages over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), so it's strongly recommended to replace an HDD with an SSD in a desktop or laptop.

In short

That's all there is to it for how to replace HDD with SSD on desktop. If you're wondering how to upgrade to SSD from HDD on desktop, you can learn how to replace the hard drive in your desktop with an SSD in this article. While you could do a clean install of Windows on the SSD, that's not the best approach unless you're cloning.

Replacing your desktop HDD with an SSD is quite simple as long as you choose the right HDD to SSD cloning software, such as Disk Copy Wizard. It helps you easily switch your desktop hard drive without losing data or reinstalling Windows. Just download and use it, and you won't regret it!

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Replace HDD with SSD on Desktop

**1. Can I replace the HDD with an SSD in a desktop computer?** Yes, you can certainly replace a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid-state drive (SSD) in a desktop computer. Doing so will significantly improve your computer's boot speed, program loading times, and overall performance. Here are the basic steps: 1. **Back up data**: Make sure to back up all important data from your HDD before proceeding. 2. **Purchase a compatible SSD**: Choose an SSD that matches your desktop's interface type (e.g., SATA, PCIe NVMe, or M.2). 3. **Shut down and disconnect**: Turn off your computer, unplug the power cord, and open the computer case. 4. **Remove the old HDD**: Locate the HDD, loosen the screws securing it, and remove it from the motherboard or drive bay. 5. **Install the new SSD**: Mount the SSD in the same spot and secure it with screws. 6. **Connect power and data cables**: Ensure the SSD is properly connected to the power cable and data cable (for SATA SSDs, a SATA data cable; for M.2 SSDs, plug it directly into an M.2 slot on the motherboard). 7. **Close the case and power up**: Reassemble the case, reconnect the power cord, and turn on the computer. 8. **System migration**: Use system migration software (such as Windows' "Create Installation Media" tool or third-party software) to transfer data from your old HDD to the new SSD. 9. **BIOS setup (if necessary)**: Enter BIOS settings and ensure the system is set to boot from the SSD by default. 10. **Finish installation**: Save the settings and restart your computer. You'll now enjoy the faster performance of the SSD. Keep in mind that the process may vary depending on your computer's configuration. If unsure, consult a professional for assistance.

Yeah, absolutely, you can totally switch out the HDD in your desktop with an SSD. If you don't want to reinstall Windows from scratch, you can use a third-party cloning tool like Clonezilla to clone the HDD onto the SSD. This way, you can seamlessly迁移all your data hassle-free from one drive to the other.

2. Will replacing HDD with SSD delete everything?

With cloning software such as Disk Copy, you can transfer everything over to the SSD when replacing an HDD, including the installed operating system, applications, and saved data.

Will I lose my Windows 10 license if I change the SSD?

No, if you replace your hard drive with an SSD, your Windows 10 license will not be lost. As long as the version of Windows remains the same, the license and product key will automatically reactivate.