1) take out old hard drive
2) put in new ssd (into the laptop, same slot)
**on a different pc**
3) get a usb drive and put it in a PC
4) launch Windows 10 usb tool
5) go thru W10 usb tool setup for USB (flash) drive so that the USB drive gets configured for W10 installs
**on laptop**
6) put in usb drive
7) boot to usb drive (might have to research what button to press. usually "delete" or a function row key (f8-f12 often).
8) go thru configuration fo Windows 10 (simple install)
Note: next > i dont have product key > select version if it's there > custom: install windows only > probably will see something like, "drive 0 partition 1: system reserved" and "drive 0 partition 2". Part 2 should be basically whatever size the SSD is. If not delete all partitions there and click new (or format if not an option) > next > next > and it should start installing.
9) you should now be in pre desktop setup for Windows 10
**dealing with old hdd now**
10) put hdd into external enclosure
11) put aside
**back to laptop**
12) you may not remove the usb drive for setup. it is not needed
13) run windows update. this can be done several ways. easiest is to just press the windows key and type, "windows upd" or "windows update" whatever brings the option up.
**dealing with old hdd now**
14) plug in the external hdd to usb
**back to laptop**
15) drag n drop/copy n paste whatever files are wanted (optional)
16) press windows key > search disk management  (optional)
17) right click the external hdd > format  (optional)
18) external hdd should be empty  (optional)
19) do your own customization of the fresh install of windows 10