Clean Windows 7 install once upgraded to SSD?

Barty1884 · May 13, 2015

Hi all,

Finally getting around to upgrading my laptop this weekend (RAM from 4gb to 8gb & 320GB HDD to 240GB SSD).

I've seen numerous tutorials regarding cloning the HDD & OS etc, but I would really like to perform a "fresh" install.

Current HDD has a recovery partition, no disc - although I do still have the product key on the laptop.

All I can think of is to defrag etc, move the files I need to my external HDD and restore to factory.....then shrink & clone from there?

I just get the feeling I'm missing something & there's an easier way since I don't want to transfer anything over other than the OS and product key (everything I need is already backed up and I can reinstall).

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Code:

Also, I assume I'd need to establish how to create a recovery partition on the SSD?

Eximo · May 13, 2015

You don't need to defrag a drive that is about to 'factory restored' The image will overwrite the partition tables. When you clone it, it will copy over onto a system that doesn't care about 'fragmentation' anyway.

Only way to do it with an OEM license.

Barty1884 · May 13, 2015

Eximo :

Thanks Eximo. I wasn't 100% sure whether defrag would be necessary. So factory settings, shrink & clone is the way to go?

Thanks!

USAFRet · May 13, 2015

Your recovery partition should allow you the opportunity to create your own factory restore DVD's. This is for when the existing HDD dies, and you need to redo it.
Replacing that (not-dead) HDD with an SSD works exactly the same.

Barty1884 · May 13, 2015

Thanks USAFRet.....I hadn't thought of that.

I'm assuming creating a restore DVD will end up with a larger file on the SSD than the other option? (factory, shrink, clone)

JackNaylorPE · May 13, 2015

You have two options:

1. Restore the new SSD to "factory condition" ... not sure how this would go as you are going from HD to SSD.

2. Install using any Windows OEM CD or ISO and just use your original product key.

USAFRet · May 13, 2015

Barty1884 :

Not really. Either way WILL include all of the original bloatware.
Then you just get rid of all that junk.

Barty1884 · May 26, 2015

USAFRet :

Looks like I'm going this route USAFRet, I tried to clone (see my new thread) which didn't work as planned. I'll not try to make either a factory restore on USB (ext. HDD) or DVD's.

Thanks for your input!

Barty1884 · May 27, 2015

I did find an OS ISO online (a mirror of the DigitalRiver ISOs which have been taken down - I won't post the link here, as I'm not sure whether it's allowed or not),

Used Rufus to mount the bootable ISO onto a blank external HDD and installed from there. OEM product key was accepted for activation.

Love the lack of bloatware, and all drivers were available from Acer's website. Quick process all-in-all.

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Clean Windows 7 install once upgraded to SSD?

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