SSD Tips

- Software Tools

Aomei Backupper can be your friend when installing an SSD. https://www.aomeitech.com/
    Backupper will require making a backup of partition/drive to be used for transfer to new drive. Excellent help included.
    Note: Some features shown are not available to use in free version... like System Clone, however, Partition Clone or Disk Clone will work.

Aomei Partition Assistant is also a good tool to have. https://www.aomeitech.com/pa/standard.html
    Partition Assistant can help to create/manipulate drive partitions for making backup space.

Windows Disk Manager is also a good tool. Enter "disk" in windows search and select "diskmgmt.msc".
    It will provide thorough partition status and easy partition labeling.

EaseUS Todo is another good tool for setting up a neww SSD.  https://www.easeus.com/backup-software/tb-free.html
    Todo includes a clone feature.

EaseUS Partition Master has a feature not included with Aomei. https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager/
    It will allow viewing of files/folders included in partitions.

Samsung Data Migration is a simple, quick tool to use for cloning to a new SSD. https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/tools/
    It can only be used for Samsung SSD's.

Samsung Magician is a tool that uses system ram as a buffer in conjunction with SSD to speed file access.  https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/tools/
    It can only be used with some Samsung SSD's. It will reduce system ram availability to other windows applications.

*Note: Some of these tools allow for wireless or USB adapter use during copy/clone. Wireless copy time can be cut in half if BOTH drives are installed in the same computer. USB is much better but not as good as dual installation. Be sure new drive is not set as boot drive. In any case, be prepared for an hour or so for file transfer.

** Note: In some documentation it says the new drive must be larger than the drive being copied from... this is not true! The file "space" copied must be less than space available on the drive/partition that is the recipient. If the OS files to be copied occupy too large a space, some of the folders/files may be moved to another partition to reduce OS partition file space for transfer.

- ACHI Mode

SSD's work best if the BIOS is set to operate in AHCI mode.

However: You can't switch it in your BIOS until after you tell windows you're making the switch!

Switch to IDE in your BIOS so it will boot.

Start REGEDIT as Administrator and look for this line :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci\StartOverride
Change the 0 DWORD value from 3 to 0.

Shut down, go back to your BIOS and switch it to AHCI.
It will now boot in AHCI mode.

- Optimize SSD

After SSD is installed it is a good idea to optimize it's use as it is different than running a standard HDD.
A program that will do this is Tweak-SSD. It can be downloaded here: http://www.totalidea.com/products/tweak-ssd/