A question before my Win8 install.

[Abcegfeick]

I'm currently using a 120Gb SSD for my current Win7 install and have most of my utility programs installed to a conventional secondary HD.

I'm assuming that those programs on the HD (as well as the 770gb of steam installs....sigh) will be toast after the Win8 install, and that I should probably just delete the programs/x86 folders and re-install the applications from scratch after the new OS installation?
Sorry, never encountered this situation before having an SSD....

Edit: Also, the disc I have is win8 pro 64. I intend to upgrade that to 8.1 . Are there any things I should be aware of as far as avoiding any problems during this process?

[acesteplake]

yes, you're right, the programs all need to be reinstalled so they will have the correct registry entries

[Adriancifs]

[Aclepsarax]

If you do a direct upgrade, you won't have to reinstall anything. I would try that first - and if all is well, leave it. If not, then you can do the clean install and reinstall, etc., etc.

[Aaquaree]

Steam will be fine as ive done the same a few times. As for the others you can try them.