Checklist for new install on 64 bit OS and SSD.

This has taken some time to compile and complete.  My old 32 bit Win 7 system was an upgrade from at least XP, and who knows if it's been upgraded on every OS since 3.11.  Anyway, feel free to add to/rebuke the list in your post, but this is a detailed prep for the new install, including X3.  Hope this helps someone...
 
Backup all documents, music, vsts from existing c:
Save list of all software license numbers in a file to cy/paste.
Check and save files of current 64 bit drivers on drive.
Review VSTs that you want to install, and have a text file with the serials and auth codes for them all!
Read and decide if you are using UEFI instead of BIOS (below)
May not even need to know about it... it just does it if u have a both enabled in BIOS.
Check system - run upgrade advisor:
http://www.microsoft.com/...oad/details.aspx?id=20
Shut down, disconnect all HDDs and install SSD in HDD0 slot.
Check Win 64 boot disk in drive or better yet, use boot USB (Win installed in 15 min!).
Startup and ensure AHCI SATA mode enabled in BIOS.
Ensure Secure Boot is disabled if u have it.
Install Win. Be sure to remove disk/USB on reboot.
Install current mobo drivers... at least the lan driver to get internet.
  http://www.gigabyte.us/we...9/download-center.html This did not work for me.
Install newest chipset drivers (AMD/Intel).
  http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect
Run windows updates and enable updates.
Install video drivers.
Install virus protections. Avast is good and recommended by many.
Shut down and connect HDDs and startup.
----------------------
Setup dirs for Users (see below) and D:\Plugins64bit, D:\Plugins32bit, D:/System, D:/System/Temp, D:/System/TempInternet
Setup a static page/cache file of 2Gb. (System/Advanced/Performance...Settings/Advanced/Virtual Memory).
Adjust hibernate
  http://www.sevenforums.co...-change-size-hiberfil- sys-file.html
Maybe set to 50% powercfg –h -size 50
-or- some suggest disabling
Adjust system protection for restore points (CP/System and Security/System)5% or 2Gb
Drive indexing (Control Panel/Indexing Options). Setup folders and move to D:
Change power options (never, never).
Run Win Experience Index to active SSD features.
Ensure defrag is not enabled for SSD.
Change location of temp files to HDD(System/Advanced/EnvVariables)
Change location of temp internet files to HDD(Internet Options/Browsing...Settings)
Move to d:, Contacts, Downloads, Dropbox, Music, My Documents, My Pictures, My Videos, Recycle Bin.
Disable unneeded features, unwanted visual effects, adjust UAC.
Install audio drivers. Saffire Mix Control and copy over old default settings file.
Install mouse & keyboard drivers if not done already.
Install primary DAWs.
Sonar install: Install X2 - advanced install - minimum (for V-Vocal & R-Mix).
Install X3 Producer Pro parts 1-4, Melodyne, Rapture, Dimension Pro and Addictive Drums.
Install other Sonar components.
Install X3d update.
Install VSTs
I left the Cakewalk and many other plugs in the cakewalk/plugins directory
Some others I installed in the D:/plugins/32 or 64 bit folder
Some of the simple 32bit .dll files i just copied into the D:/plugins/32bit folder
Note: 32bit DX plugins do not work in 64 bit?
AAS - https://www.applied-acoustics.com/
IKM - http://www.ikmultimedia.com/userarea/
NI - http://www.native-instruments.com/en/login/
XLN Audio (add Drums) - http://www.xlnaudio.com/index.php
Nomad - http://www.nomadfactory.com/
Overloud - http://www.overloud.com/
Synth1 - http://www.geocities.jp/daichi1969/softsynth/
Waves - http://www.waves.com/Content.aspx
Camel - http://www.camelaudio.com/
UAD - http://www.uaudio.com/uad-plug-ins.html
Izotope - https://izotope.com/store/account.asp
FXpansion - http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?area=1
Rescan plugs... u may need to reset them then rescan.

Instrument drivers - MANY older instruments do not have 64 bit drivers or compatible software!
Editors
Device drivers - Printer

Programs
Microsoft Office or Apache office
Adobe - PDF, Flash (not needed for Chrome)
CD Burner software
Computer- Malwarebytes, Avast, WDSmartWare (backup software), Dropbox, 7-zip, APC (battery)
Internet - Chrome (!sync your settings in Chrome and when u log into the new computer, BAM, it's all there!)
Apple- iCloud, iTunes, QuickTime,
Audio- Taggin software, conversion software, Media Player replacement
Graphics- IrfanView, camera/photo software, graphics editors
Video- video editing, video player
Activate Windows.
!!!Create a system image (Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Backup and Restore)
This did not work on my system. I got the free Acronis True Image WD Edition Software and it works great.
  http://support.wdc.com/pr...oaddetail.asp?swid=119
Backup other drive files now!
Links:
Install questions:
http://www.overclock.net/...on-guide-for-ssds-hdds
---or--- http://forums.anandtech.c..howthread.php?t=2072259
what is uefi?
http://forums.anandtech.c..howthread.php?t=2263810
download your Win 7 version plus the SP1 versions:
http://www.sevenforums.co...stall-windows-7-a.html
Windows 7 ISO
http://www.w7forums.com/t...image-downloads.12325/
Que article on SSDs
http://www.quepublishing....article.aspx?p=1941420
Seven Forums SSD Tweaks
http://www.sevenforums.co...tions-windows-7-a.html

mudgel
Very comprehensive list.

I wouldn't install anti virus software until is finished all other installations. Too many times these programs cause installation problems.

For folks who Use standard install locations for plugins etc it's important to install sonar and plugins using Run as Administrator. Even when logged in with an admin account.

Mudgel hit it on the head.

Great information, thanks.
 

you have installation on x2 first (just advanced, for the now missing VSTs).  Is this the correct order?  I would think you would install X3, then do a custom X2 install for RMIX and the others.  I'm doing all this later this week, so I am curious....

The installer will only overwrite with newer files. I still install in chronological order when adding full installs and add advanced installs of specific plug-ins last out of habit, an overabundance of caution and it has always worked for me.