Windows 8 to SSD from HDD

I have recently gotten a Lenovo U530. I want to swap the HDD with an SSD, but how do I transfer the OS system to the SSD?

I currently have a USB stick for a bootable USB, although I cannot find an ISO for Windows 8 NOT Windows 8.1. I will upgrade to WIndows 8.1 once I do a clean install on the SSD.

Does anyone know how to do this? I also have CD Key to use for the install of the Windows 8.

Although I have heard a lot of people are doing a bootable USB for Windows 8 and when they type in the CD Key it is saying an "error" regarding that this key will not work saying "This product key cannot be used to install a retail version of Windows 8", even though the CD Key is exactly the same as the CD key on the HDD at the time.

Does anyone know how I can do this without any problems, and will I lose dragon speak and everything if I do a clean install on the SSD?

So where do I get an ISO for Windows 8 and will I be able to successfully install this OS onto my SSD without any errors when typing in the CD Key?

 

Intel SSD Migration Tool

 

Wait my SSD is a Samsung 830? Will that Intel SSD migration tool work for the Samsung?

I am guessing not. Any other suggestions Jobine?

 

EaseUS Todo Backup Free - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Oops: Intel tool only works with intel SSD's.

 

I use Acronis True Image 2014 to clone my drives when I get a new system. I boot from the Acronis USB stick and clone the original HDD to the SSD. When done I put the original away for safe keeping.

Cheers,

 

I have a y500 coming from the Outlet. I'd like to swap the SATA for an SSD I already have, and put the original SATA in a caddy in the Ultrabay.

Should I swap the drives around before or after cloning? (or maybe it doesn't matter?) Is it as simple as physically swapping the drives, booting from the Acronis USB stick and cloning?

 

I'd just get a Msata

 

I already have the SSD ready to go, and it would be nice to be able to remove the caddy if/when I don't need it. (just going to use it for media storage)

 

If you have the caddy already you can put the HDD in it and add the SSD to the drive bay. Boot from the USB stick and clone the drives. Take out the caddy just to make sure it boots from the SSD. Mine came right up and started the setup routine.

Cheers,

 

Great, thanks! Some folks are saying it is better to do a clean install, citing something to do with 4k sectors which is way over my head. Any thoughts?

 

I only game on this system so other than save games and original installs I don't have a bunch of files being added and deleted. In real use for the casual user I haven't seen block/sector size to make any difference. The system boots in under 8 seconds and is much faster than any HDD based laptop I've had previously so I'm fine with that.

I personally am not a fan of clean installs and just uninstall the applications I don't use. This is particularly true of the Anti-Virus software included with most new systems. I always trash it and activate the included Microsoft Security Essentials.

Cheers,