HDD to SSD with partition.

I currently have a 500 GB hard drive that's partitioned to also run Windows 7. I want to get a 250 GB Solid State Drive. Is there any way I can transfer my Windows partition from my HDD to the SDD?

I have a late-2011 MBP 13 in. Intel Core i5.

Yes.

Two Canoes' Winclone program can accomplish this for you: follow this link.

I've done this twice and it works very nicely.

Good luck!

are there steps you'd recommend for this process?

The "steps" are outlined in the link I posted.

Can you be more specific about what you are looking for?

Never had any success yet with Winclone.

When running Windows 7 via BootCamp, found it best to connect a USB external drive, back up Windows to that using Backup and Restore, then delete the BootCamp partition using BootCamp Assistant, and later set up BootCamp again and connect up the backed up external and run that.

If WinClone does not work the first time give it a second try. It seems to have difficulty sometimes and not others.

so an alternative to winclone would be to...

1. back up windows to a USB external hard drive.
2. back up MBP using time machine.
3. put in ssd.
4. partition the ssd.
5. reboot with USB external hard drive containing windows.

is this correct?

Yes using Windows 7 Backup and Restore program. Then select Restore with extenal drive selected.

thanks ALL!

i will give winclone a go and if that does not work, i'll try the alternative method.
thanks everyone.

I read through all of the WinClone step by step instructions. If you follow them carefully (Print them out first) you should have no trouble moving Windows to the new Mac. Windows might complain about activation after you get it loaded but that won't be a problem. It should activate direct from your net connection. Let us know how it went.