How to properly upgrade an HP laptop?

Question

Iron

Hello. I have a laptop HP Pavilion 15-p055sr G7W94EA System
type:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210U CPU © 1.70GHz 2.40 GHz
64-bit operating system, x64 processor (Windows 8.1 for single language, product code is, key as I understand it, you can get the product somehow) - OEM - came with a laptop (license) - there are no stickers on the case.
Memory frequency 1600 MHz
Memory type DDR3L SDRAM
Random access memory (RAM) 4 GB Graphics integrated +
GeForce 840M 2 GB Hard drive 500 GB Seagate
ST500LT012 Laptop Thin 8/16 GB (and is it possible)?
2. How do I replace my old HDD with an SSD (and which SSD) and how do I do that?
3. Is it worth leaving my old HDD as a second disk, putting it instead of DVD - ROM and how to do it and will it slow down the whole system for me?
4. How can I transfer all files and programs (including my windows) from the old HDD to the new SDD, so that I insert the new SSD instead of the old HDD and the PC does not notice anything (so that everything works as before)?
5. If point 4 is not possible (that is, there is no way to make an exact copy of the HDD (an HDD image with bootable windows) and transfer this copy to an SSD), then what information and how can I transfer from HDD to SSD?
6. After doing all the hard operations, what should I do with my Windows 8.1 operating system (is it possible to upgrade to windows 10 or something else for free)?
7. Is it possible to download windows 10 for free and use it for free for a while?
Please explain to me in as much detail as possible how I can do this.

Answer 1

1)Yes.
2) Any SATA SSD - just install.
3) No problem, it won't slow down. Whether you need it or not is up to you.
4) A bunch of cloning programs like acronis is the easiest option. Although it can be done with regular means, it is somewhat more difficult there.
5) Any.
6) Work. There is no point in changing the eight to ten. Free - a bunch of distributions and activators on the net.
7) Easy.

Answer 2

Everything you listed is possible.
Based on the terms you are using.
The question arises, why did you ask this question?
I think that pumping a laptop in this price category is not worth it.
The only and significant gain is to replace the HDD with an SSD.
You yourself write about it.
Well, throw it into 2 slots of 8 GB each
. This is my subjective opinion.

Answer 3

1. see how much memory there is and whether there is a free slot. if there is a free one, then add a second die to 4 there, if not, then replace one die of 2 GB with the same current 4. there is no point in putting more than 8 there.
2. take out one insert the other one you like.
3. will not slow down, leave it worth it, because you can get by with a small ssd for Windows, and store files on the old one.
4. In disk management programs, there is usually such an option to transfer the system to another disk. Akronis definitely had something like that, but I recommend putting the top ten from scratch.
5. no need to transfer, just rearrange the disks. then just delete the unnecessary Windows 8 from the old disk to free up space.
6. nothing, put 10, but forget about 8.
7. You can use it as much as you like, there will just be an inscription in the corner and you cannot change the background of the wallpaper.
Of course, in the process of upgrading, it is worth cleaning from dust and changing the thermal paste.