Windows 7 upgrading HDD to ssd of smaller capacity and installing Windows 10 on desktop PC.

[PETEF]

Hi just wondered what the best way to do this is. Chrome is no longer supporting Windows 7 and thought that its about time I upgraded and the machine is in good order for the purposes I need.
I have a registered and activated version of Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. i3 3.3Ghz Processor. and 8gb ram. Current installed HD is showing 764gb of 931 gb free. So basically I have used only just under 170gb of HD space. I wish to upgrade to a Kingston 480gb SSD drive, download and install Windows 10 . I have no use for the larger capacity of the old drive and used mainly for web browsing.
I have backed up my data on an external WD drive that uses Smart Ware though this Is not supported these days I understand
I m thinking to fit the ssd internally and clone the old drive using cloning software, Macrium reflect and then update to windows 10. Is this the correct procedure?
Can I still retain the old drive as is and as a bootable Win 7 drive just in case there are issues or do I lose activation once upgraded?
Will drivers be automatically upgraded for Win 10, printers etc? Watching the tutorials on YTube the upgrade looks as if it could be problematic if certain things are not prepared.
Is this the correct order to do this upgrade and what problems could I come up against?
I have limited hardware knowledge though I have replaced the WD hard drives twice after failures and also the power supply three times over the computers life.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Rustys]

Yes, updating to Windows 10 form windows 7 can be problematic.

why not just preform a clean install of Windows 10 getting the proper drivers and such from the manufacture(s) site.

If it is a prefabricated system, (Dell HP) you will have to get the drivers from there and install them in the proper order starting with the Chipsets.

I m thinking to fit the ssd internally and clone the old drive using cloning software, Macrium reflect and then update to windows 10. Is this the correct procedure?

Yes, this can be the proper procedure.

[veeg]

Also they’re plenty browsers out there that still support win 7. Opera , FireFox, Slim browser..etc.. Do some research on those browsers.

[PETEF]

Hi and thanks for the replies. Not a major brand just a custom build from a computer supplier chain ( Zoostorm)- Asrock mainboard and generic memory as far as I know. Would like to retain using Chrome I’ve just got used to it over the years for my automatic photograph uploads and etc. I recall the Microsoft Win 10 prompting many years ago to take the free upgrade but I read about few issues at the time and resisted but now I feel I must take the plunge - for win 10 at least. I just need to know if I can “fall back” on the old drive if it doesn’t all go to plan. Thanks again.

[PeterOz]

The first step is to find your win 7 product key.
Use a free program like Magic Jellybean KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean .
You can then print out the file with the number.

Install the SSD and disconnect the HDD - DO NOT install windows with two(2) drives connected.
Reinstall Win 10 Fresh Install

Download the win 10 tool run it to recreate the flash drive – Must be minimum 8GB

Download Windows 10

Watch this video
How To Install Windows 10 From USB - YouTube

In the video at 2:35 Where to install Windows. Highlight each partition and delete. -Not needed on a new drive

Then install on the unallocated space.

In the video at 2:54 you will notice it restarts the computer.
When you are doing this and you get to that point Remove the usb stick whilst it is restarting.
Also if you want to setup a local account instead of logging in with a Microsoft account
Turn off your wireless network and or remove the network cable.
This point is 3.32 in the video - Choose I don’t have internet.
If you want to log in with a Microsoft account then leave the network as is.

Before doing any install, it is a good idea to go to the support page for your system. Download the drivers you are going to need i.e. chipset, sound, video, wireless, etc. WhilstWin10 has a lot of native drivers, Microsoft drivers are designed for ease of use and are NOT designed for any type of performance. Store these drivers on another usb or you can even just make a folder on your install usb when you are finished making the install usb. Copy the drivers into that folder.

When you are finished with the Windows install, then install your drivers.

[ul]
[li]Chipset or Motherboard[/li][li]Sata or hard drive[/li][li]Video adapter[/li][li]Network interface card (NIC)[/li][li]Audio[/li][li]Touchpad[/li][li]Any other hardware drivers needed for your particular model.[/li][/ul]
Reboot after installing the drivers
Once everything is going you can connect the Win 7 drive.
Use a free program like Easybcd to create a dual boot system EasyBCD - NeoSmart Technologies

[PeterOz]

Asrock mainboard

So we can help find your drivers (Asrock make more then 1 model)
Whilst win 7 is still running
[HEADING=3]Can you Download and run and then post. Speccy - Free Download
To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:[/HEADING]
[HEADING=3]In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.[/HEADING]
In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot dialog box. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.

The last part of each URL is randomized, so only people you provide with the URL will be able to find your profile.

The information given in Speccy cannot be used by anyone to hack your system

[PETEF]

Hi Pete. Do you need the URL link or just the mainboard information pasted here. Thought it was Asrock but now see it as Asus.

[PETEF]

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/img/249.pngSummary

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

CPU
Intel Core i3 3220 @ 3.30GHz:
40 °C
Ivy Bridge 22nm Technology

RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)

Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. P8H61-MX R2.0 (LGA1155):
36 °C

Graphics
LG IPS FULLHD (1920x1080@60Hz)

Intel HD Graphics (ASUStek Computer Inc)

Storage
931GB Seagate ST1000DX001-1CM162 ATA Device (SATA ):
31 °C

Optical Drives
ATAPI iHAS122 C ATA Device

Audio
VIA High Definition Audio

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/img/254.pngOperating System

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

Computer type: Desktop

Installation Date: 07/01/2014 18:30:03
Windows Security Center
User Account Control (UAC):
Enabled
Notify level:
2 - Default
Firewall:
Enabled

Windows Update
AutoUpdate:
Download Automatically and Install at Set Scheduled time
Schedule Frequency:
Every Day
Schedule Time:
03:00

Windows Defender
Windows Defender:
Enabled

Antivirus
Antivirus:
Enabled
Display Name:
Avast Antivirus
Virus Signature Database:
Up to date

.NET Frameworks installed
v4.8 Full

v4.8 Client

v3.5 SP1

v3.0 SP2

v2.0 SP2

Internet Explorer
Version:
11.0.9600.19596

PowerShell
Version:
2.0

Java

[PETEF]

Cant see a driver for windows 10. on Asus website.

[Bruce]

Speccy URL is best as it gives us a whole bunch of stats to work with.

[PeterOz]

As Bruce says the url is always better.
It looks like Asus does not release new drivers for that model board.
This should not cause a problem.
If you follow my steps in post #5 you can always get back to win7.

[PETEF]

Can’t say I’m overly confident but sharing your experience and knowledge is invaluable. Thanks for your help guys.(y)

[Rustys]

For a FYI

When you download make sure to scroll down a bit and select the
Create Windows 10 installation media and select the download tool now from there.

We really needed the speccy link the info you posted is ok and not truly helpful for helping the proper drivers, firmware and BIOS.

[PETEF]

For a FYI

When you download make sure to scroll down a bit and select the
Create Windows 10 installation media and select the download tool now from there.

We really needed the speccy link the info you posted is ok and not truly helpful for helping the proper drivers, firmware and BIOS.

No problem, thanks Rusty I will run Speccy again and post the URL link. I see there may be third party drivers online but not sure about security etc..

[Rustys]

Never use third part drivers they are a security risk.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/573426/pros-and-cons-of-driver-booster-2/

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/771166/windows-10-driver-updating/