SSD installed successfully-what to do with HDD

After a week spent (reluctantly) performing BIOS updates, downloading and installing 1803 for Win 10 Pro and tweaking USB functions I was able to clone a Samsung 860 EVO 1tb 2.5 inch drive from a 1tb Toshiba HDD that came with Dell desktop.

The easiest and simplest method to connect the replacement SSD to the motherboard was to re-use the power and data cables and physically remove the HDD. Now I am informed removing the HDD was an error...the drive was working and could easily have been left in place and re-used or re-purposed for other functions. Admittedly, it now does seem to be a waste of working hardware to place the HDD in a plastic bag and leave same in a storage locker.

A few additional/extra SATA cables are available but I have no idea of the steps necessary to re-install and re-use the HDD. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Just plug it in and boot. Your PC will boot off the SSD. You can format and partition after booting
Was there one partition on the Tosh?

Reinstall the HDD and use it for storing large user files you dont want on the SSD and backups. I have a SSD with partition C: and a HDD with partitions D: and X:.

The Windows OS and programs are on C: and my user files on D:. I use X: for automated Macrium Reflect backups of the OS partitions and D:. I also do Reflect backups to a removable HDD.

doctorwizz: Thanks! I thought the re-install would be far more complicated.

Steve C: Perfect! You provided a roadmap for exactly what I hope to accomplish.