Upgrade XPS 8900 1TB HDD to Samsung SSD - Is this a sound plan?

Thanks Osprey4!

I'm glad to know my plan is doable.  A few more questions for you...

1. Would you expect Windows 10 to gather the majority of the necessary drivers automatically or should I plan to download everything from Dell for my specific unit?
2. Assuming I don't want to save the recovery partition on the original drive, what's the best way to create the recovery DVDs (or maybe better yet USB drive -- what capacity is required?)?

Thanks! 

I am doing the same thing on a new XPS 8900. I bought a SanDisk Extreme Pro 240GB SSD. I plan to put OS & programs on SSD and use existing 1TB HDD for data. 

1. Do I put the SSD vertically next to existing HDD in "HDD0" or horizontally above HDD0 in HDD2?. Does it matter which one I use?

2. There are two open SATA slots next to the one being used. Does it matter which one I use?

3. I plan to use a free disk cloning program, maybe AOMEI. On the new HDD is about 47GB of OS that will be cloned to the SSD. After doing this, can I leave that 47GB as a backup on the HDD as a partition and use the remaining 953GB as another partition for data? The other option is clone the current 47GB OS to an external HD as backup.

4. How do I direct programs on SSD to "see" docs, pics, etc. on HDD? Thanks.

I'm not entirely sure exactly what drivers you need to download versus those provided with the OS. Just go to downloads and grab all of the Win 10 drivers available.

You should create the recovery media when you first boot and set up the system. You'll be prompted to do this.

I didn't recall seeing this option at start-up but may have overlooked it.  At this point, would using the Windows Recovery USB setup tool work or does it need to be done using a Dell tool in order to replicate the full Dell recovery partition?

Thanks.

Steve

Since this is a new Win 10 machine, you're plowing new ground for me. I believe the Windows Recovery USB Setup tools creates an emergency recovery disc that can perform certain functions should some error render the machine unbootable. But it does not as far as I know create an image of the entire hard drive. That's what the Dell Backup and Recovery (DBAR) utility can do. In the OS installation link below, Philip provides a description of how to use DBAR.

OK Thanks for your help!

There is no Dell Backup & Recovery (DBAR) available for Windows 10.

That's interesting to learn. So, maybe I go back to my original plan on forgetting about the Dell recovery partition and if I ever want to re-build my PC, I would wipe the drive, reinstall Windows 10, and then layer on the drivers and any Dell utilities I find value in and call it good.  Unless anyone thinks I'm missing out on something key, I think I'll go wit this plan.

Thanks!

That sounds like the right plan to me.

Well, there is something else. While there is no indication on my XPS 8900 in the usual places--like on the start menu--of a recovery system, check out "Disk Management."  It shows a 853MB Recovery Partition and a 12.54GB Recovery Partition. There are four partitions all-together.

Good find oon the multiple recvoery partitions.  Osprey - Do you know what they are for?

I also picked up my Dell Quick Start Guide and it references using the Windows 10 recovery -- no mention of any Dell specific resource.

According to the following article you can make a complete image backup of your new computer by using Windows 10's own utility: http://www.howtogeek.com/220986/how-to-use-all-of-windows-10%E2%80%99s-backup-and-recovery-tools/

Look under system image backup.  This will transfer everything from your present HD to your new HD including Dell's drivers and all programs.  When I get my XPS 8900 the first thing I am going to do is make an image backup using the Window 10 utility.  I will be able to restore my computer to it's original state very easily.  Then I am going to install Acronis and make a backup using Acronis.  This image can be transferred to new HD's as necessary and eliminates having to fool with Dell's recovery partition.  In case Acronis does not work, I will still have the Windows 10 image backup.  I did use Dell's recovery partition once, so it is of some value, but in order to restore your computer to the same state it was in when you purchased it, I think the original HD that came with your computer has to be used.  Macrium Reflect has a free system image backup utility you can use.  This is an easier approach than reinstalling the operating system and then having to reinstall everything else from scratch. 

The Samsung SSDs come with Migration software. Run it and it will make the SSD look like your current C: drive. Then just do the change out.

I've done this four times, most recently today on an XPS-8900 and it worked fine.

My problem is that I then decided to make the old C: drive a secondary drive. Shows up in BIOS and in Device Manager, but no drive letter is assigned so it is inaccessible. Not a big deal, but a puzzle!

If you get to this point and find a solution, let me know :-)

Later: I decided to keep the original C: HDD as is and use a 1 TB hard drive from an old computer. Handy in case I ever want to switch back the the original HDD.

Phil

I finally have my SSD now and am faced with the same questions BIC2 posed above.  I purchased a Sabrent 3.5" to 2.5" bracket/converter, however unlike other PC cases I'm use to in having easy, slide-out rails for adding other HDDs, the Dell case appears to be a bit trickier as I can't access all sides of the drive bays in terms of using screws on both sides.

Can I get away with using screws on one side, is there something I'm missing in terms of this process?  I have heard of people using tape, etc. to "secure" their SSDs in their cases, given tey are so light, however this approach seemed a bit crude, but perhaps still viable.

Any thoughts would be welcomed!

Thanks!