Can I reinstall windows 7 on my SSD without having to reinstall all the programs on my HDD

[G+_Reuben H]

Can I reinstall windows 7 on my SSD without having to reinstall all the programs on my HDD. Hoping someone has an answer for me. 

[G+_Andrew McGlashan]

It's best to have as many portable apps as possible, I use plenty of GNU Win32 stuff and other portable stuff in bin directories outside of the /normal/ windows areas.

 

Just installing Windows 7 SP 1 alone will mean many, many, many hours of updates to get current and then you'll have to re-install all your non-portable apps.

[G+_Fuzzy Wuzzy]

Clone the hdd to the ssd, should be good. Clonezilla works great for this

[G+_Jawny Gee (JawnyG)]

Install ssd as second drive, run software from ssd manufacturer to update firmware, etc. Then, run backup and restore, choose make a windows image backup. Save to external drive, or anywhere but the ssd. Now unplug hhd, use hhd's sata cable to plug in ssd. Install fresh windows from disc/USB stick on to ssd. After install finishes, us backup and restore, to put back your original install. Doing it this way, trim, and all other ssd specific stuff will still be installed, even after your backup is reinstalled. Enjoy your new ssd!

[G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ]

Check out episode 67 of KH.

 

Short answer, no... not really... because you can clone it.

 

Longer, geekier answer... as long as you're going to install a new SSD, why not have a FRESH Windows install? :)

[G+_Reuben H]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll definitely be looking into that other episode.

 

My problem is a little more technical though. I just don't want to have to reinstall all my programs which are already on the HDD. I have a corrupted program installed on the SSD which also has windows 7 running on it. The only way I think I can reset this piece of software is by reinstalling windows. Just wanted to avoid reinstalling everything else.

 

Looks like I just have to put in the time for the reinstall though.

[G+_Andrew McGlashan]

If you didn't have a requirement to

reinstall, then I would suggest this tool:

http://www.disk-image.com/download.htm

 

You can take create an image of the HDD and then resize it when restoring to an SSD.  Easier to place the SSD into another computer or just an external case on another computer to do the restore.

[G+_Will Pherigo]

You can't save off the program data, uninstall the program, use something like CCleaner to clean up the remnants and reinstall the software?