Replace Hard Drive with a SSD drive - or wipe drive and reinstall?

JohnB47

We recently bought an Asus laptop and it is really zippy. It obviously has a faster processor than my old Toshiba Satellite Pro of course, but it has me wondering if either option is likely to improve my Toshiba laptops speed during startup/software download/loadup after sleep/hibernate
My laptop spec is at the bottom of this post.
Is fitting a SSD likely to show an improvement?
Alternatively, I could wipe the hard drive and reinstall Win 10. (My laptop comes with a recovery partition pre installed and my manual gives instructions on how to create a recovery disk/usb drive and use it to bring the Laptop back to as-shipped condition, with or without wiping the hard drive). 
Will wiping the hard drive and reinstalling from the Recovery Disk show an improvement in speed in itself - no need to go for a SSD?
Regardless of whether I wipe and reinstall to the existing drive or go for a SSD, what about all the little programs I've collected over the last few years? I have at least one where I still have an installation disk and key (Photoshop). But what about others - do I just find the relevant exe files and make sure to copy them off before starting, then just put them back? (things like Revo Uninstaller, Audacity, FreeFileSync - many of them free downloads anyway).
Lastly - any advice on SSD spec - is it best to go for highest read/write speed or does that not really matter - any SSD will bring an improvement?
Next, size of SSD. I'm currently using 324Gb of the 931Gb available on my hard drive and I've had the laptop for years. I'm thinking that I might actually get away with a 500Gb SSD. A 1Tb SSD might cost around £80, whereas a 500Gb would be around £50. Any thoughts on that?
Any advice is welcomed. Thanks.

Laptop spec.

Device name TOSHIBA SATELLITE PRO L50-C-1XP

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-5005U CPU @ 2.00GHz 2.00 GHz

Installed RAM 8.00 GB

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Hard Drive 1TB

Neil_Jones

The SSD will always be faster than the mechanical drive, no questions asked, even a cheap one.  You can just reload the programs you need afterwards.

If you want to make the recovery media, install the SSD and use it to reset the machine you can do that if that's what you want, though you'll probably get a bunch of junk you may or may not use.

HereToday

JohnB47 said:

We recently bought an Asus laptop and it is really zippy. It obviously has a faster processor than my old Toshiba Satellite Pro of course, but it has me wondering if either option is likely to improve my Toshiba laptops speed during startup/software download/loadup after sleep/hibernate
My laptop spec is at the bottom of this post.
Is fitting a SSD likely to show an improvement?
Alternatively, I could wipe the hard drive and reinstall Win 10. (My laptop comes with a recovery partition pre installed and my manual gives instructions on how to create a recovery disk/usb drive and use it to bring the Laptop back to as-shipped condition, with or without wiping the hard drive). 
Will wiping the hard drive and reinstalling from the Recovery Disk show an improvement in speed in itself - no need to go for a SSD?
Regardless of whether I wipe and reinstall to the existing drive or go for a SSD, what about all the little programs I've collected over the last few years? I have at least one where I still have an installation disk and key (Photoshop). But what about others - do I just find the relevant exe files and make sure to copy them off before starting, then just put them back? (things like Revo Uninstaller, Audacity, FreeFileSync - many of them free downloads anyway).
Lastly - any advice on SSD spec - is it best to go for highest read/write speed or does that not really matter - any SSD will bring an improvement?
Next, size of SSD. I'm currently using 324Gb of the 931Gb available on my hard drive and I've had the laptop for years. I'm thinking that I might actually get away with a 500Gb SSD. A 1Tb SSD might cost around £80, whereas a 500Gb would be around £50. Any thoughts on that?
Any advice is welcomed. Thanks.

Laptop spec.

Device name TOSHIBA SATELLITE PRO L50-C-1XP

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)   CPU @ 2.00GHz 2.00 GHz

Installed RAM 8.00 GB

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Hard Drive 1TB

You will very likely be impressed with the improvement when clean installing Windows 10 to an SSD with regard to the Toshiba.
You can place the old hard drive into a caddy; for use an external storage drive.
Don't bother making a recovery drive, just create an up to date installation drive.

This process requires another PC with internet access, and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. The data on the USB flash drive will be erased to create the Windows 10 bootable flash drive.

Creating the Windows 10 USB flash drive

1. Visit the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
2. Click Download Tool Now.
3. Save the Application.
4. Plug your USB Flash Drive into the PC where you saved the application.
5. Run the Application.
6. Accept the EULA
7. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
8. Choose the correct settings for your version of Windows 10

• Language (Country)
• Windows 10
• 64-bit (x64)

Click Next.Select USB Flash Drive and click Next.Select the Flash Drive and click Next.

Allow the application to complete. You will be prompted when it is finished and has successfully created the bootable drive.

Caddy for the old drive: https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/23044529361

https://shop.bt.com/products/samsung-500gb-870-evo-2-5-inch-sata-3-ssd-mz-77e500b-eu-G57H.html

https://www.cclonline.com/product/247067/CT500MX500SSD1/Solid-State-Drives-SSDs-/Crucial-MX500-500GB-Solid-Sate-Drive-SATA-2-5-inch-Internal-/SSD0712/

Grumpysally

OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
Intel Celeron Processor N2840
4GB DDR3 L Memory
Thanks

JohnB47

Thanks for this.
A few follow up questions.
Why must this operation be done on another PC - can I not create a bootable USB using my Toshiba Laptop?
If I go for the option you suggest, does that mean my machine will 'forget' that it is a Toshiba Laptop and will loose the recovery drive software and probably all other Toshiba utilities - e.g. printing utility (to my Brother ink jet printer)?
I guess if I choose to fit a SSD, the process shown in the manual cannot be followed anyway because it calls up an operation stored on the hard drive to run the wipe and reinstall. If I fit an SSD, that process simply won't be there to be called up.
So, having thought about this while typing, I have two options. Follow the Toshiba manual to do a clean reinstall on the existing hard drive or use the process you suggest to install on a SSD.
Thanks again.

JohnB47

Grumpysally said:

OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
Intel Celeron Processor N2840
4GB DDR3 L Memory
Thanks

No problem, jump on in.

debitcardmayhem

Grumpysally said:

OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
Intel Celeron Processor N2840
4GB DDR3 L Memory
Thanks

A clean install of windows would be preferable, but you won't get stellar performance from the celery

HereToday

Grumpysally said:

OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
Intel Celeron Processor N2840
4GB DDR3 L Memory
Thanks

Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor. You can also increase RAM to 8 GB to squeeze the last bit of performance out of it. But that processor is the bottle neck.

HereToday

JohnB47 said:

Thanks for this.
A few follow up questions.
Why must this operation be done on another PC - can I not create a bootable USB using my Toshiba Laptop?
If I go for the option you suggest, does that mean my machine will 'forget' that it is a Toshiba Laptop and will loose the recovery drive software and probably all other Toshiba utilities - e.g. printing utility (to my Brother ink jet printer)?
I guess if I choose to fit a SSD, the process shown in the manual cannot be followed anyway because it calls up an operation stored on the hard drive to run the wipe and reinstall. If I fit an SSD, that process simply won't be there to be called up.
So, having thought about this while typing, I have two options. Follow the Toshiba manual to do a clean reinstall on the existing hard drive or use the process you suggest to install on a SSD.
Thanks again.

It's just the wording. You can do it on the Toshiba.
It will always remember that it's a Toshiba 
Of course you follow my process, that why I include it.

• Once ready to utilise the newly created installation drive, plug it in and then enter the BIOS setup screen of the Toshiba:
• To do so, hold down the F2 key and release this one second after you press the laptop power to turn it on – the BIOS setup should now load
  
• Reset your bios to default settings!
• Leave Secureboot ON
• Turn Fastboot OFF
• Save settings with F10
• Then when the laptop restarts, hold F12 while booting to get to the boot menu, and select your USB to begin the installation.

Grumpysally

HereToday said:

Grumpysally said:

OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
Intel Celeron Processor N2840
4GB DDR3 L Memory
Thanks

Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor. You can also increase RAM to 8 GB to squeeze the last bit of performance out of it. But that processor is the bottle neck.

I thought as such. Would increased RAM be worth the time money and effort or should I put the money towards my future laptop purchase fund? Its a bit like old cars, knowing when to stop throwing good money after bad
Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor.  I'm not sure what this means . 
Thanks

HereToday

Grumpysally said:

HereToday said:

Grumpysally said:

OP, I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread, but co-incidentally, I have just this week replaced my HDD with a SSD on my 6+ years old Acer Aspire and had come on here looking for advice.
It's a Samsung 870 EVO 500mb. To replace a 1TB HDD.  I downloaded the Samsung data migration to my laptop and copied everything from my HDD. Then replaced it with the SSD. Everything is working OK and is faster, but nothing like as fast as I expected having watched various YouTube videos. Should I try reinstalling windows 10? I did reinstall it fairly recently in an effort to speed things up. I was also considering putting in extra RAM.
Intel Celeron Processor N2840
4GB DDR3 L Memory
Thanks

Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor. You can also increase RAM to 8 GB to squeeze the last bit of performance out of it. But that processor is the bottle neck.

I thought as such. Would increased RAM be worth the time money and effort or should I put the money towards my future laptop purchase fund? Its a bit like old cars, knowing when to stop throwing good money after bad
Forget about cloning hard drive in this instance. Only a minimal clean install will do with that processor.  I'm not sure what this means . 
Thanks

It means just erase everything currently on the drive by running a clean install to it.

This process requires another PC with internet access, and a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. The data on the USB flash drive will be erased to create the Windows 10 bootable flash drive.

Creating the Windows 10 USB flash drive

1. Visit the Microsoft Media Creation Tool website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
2. Click Download Tool Now.
3. Save the Application.
4. Plug your USB Flash Drive into the PC where you saved the application.
5. Run the Application.
6. Accept the EULA
7. Select Create installation media for another PC and click Next.
8. Choose the correct settings for your version of Windows 10

• Language (Country)
• Windows 10
• 64-bit (x64)

Click Next.Select USB Flash Drive and click Next.Select the Flash Drive and click Next.

Allow the application to complete. You will be prompted when it is finished and has successfully created the bootable drive.

Reloading Windows with the Media Creation Tool:

1. Press and hold the Power key for five seconds to turn off your computer.
2. Plug in the USB Drive that contains the Media Creation Tool files.
3. Power on the system and begin tapping the F2 Key to enter the BIOS.
4. In the BIOS, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Main menu item at the top.
5. Use the down arrow to highlight F12 Boot Menu and press Enter.
6. Highlight Enabled and press Enter.
7. Press the F10 key and press Enter to save the changes and exit. The system will reboot immediately.
8. As soon as the system begins rebooting, press the F12 key repeatedly to enter the Boot Manager.
9. Select the USB HDD and press Enter. The Windows Setup environment will launch.
10. Select your Language, Time and Keyboard, then click Next.
11. Click Install Now.
12. Accept the license terms and click Next.
13. You will be prompted with choices:

• Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings and applications. This option should work for most users and should save most personal files. If you attempt this and run into errors, we suggest the next option.
• Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) This option allows you to determine the location where you want to install Windows. Using this option will erase all personal data.

Follow this guide if it helps: https://www.groovypost.com/howto/clean-install-Windows-10/  You need to choose to delete ALL of the existing partitions during the installation.