Refreshing Windows 10


  1. Posts : 9
    windows 10
       #1

    Refreshing Windows 10


    I have a quick question. I am doing a system refresh and possibly a full reset of windows on my PC due to some hardware issues. I have my boot drive on a SSD (C: drive) and my files and games on a HDD (D: drive). My external drive (F: drive) that I can do a back up to only holds 500 GB and to back up both drive would be 750GB, so I can only back up my C: drive. Can I unplug the D: drive then do the system reset and plug it back in afterwards. Would it continue like normal after the reset would be complete or would it make me partition the D: drive again which than I would lose the data?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,896
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #2

    I have unplugged my External USB drives for any major change but did leave the Internal D: drive connected without issue but it must be very careful in choosing which drive to install on. Obviously it would be best to disconnect all drives except the boot/system drive [usually C:] before installing the Operating System. The only issue I've had doing it that way was to use Disk Management to change the drive letter for ODD to E: or F: before connecting what would be the D: drive. My lineup usually is C:/boot, D: data, E: first ODD, F: for second ODD [if present] then any External drives follow. My NAS/Network Attached Storage drives by default start with Z: and work back up the alphabet, I have 2 at X: and Z: and the only issue is properly identifying them when Mapping from any computer [Windows, Linux and Mac OS X].
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 9
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Ok awesome. Thanks for the feedback. I will go ahead and unplug my D drive just to be safe. I don't have any ODD, so I should be alright when I plug it back in that it should go back to the proper letter drive. If not I can do what you recommended to change the letter drive afterwards.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #4

    You only backup the data, which is certainly not 750 GB.

    If your data is on D there`s no need to back it up to E. (your choice)

    Unplug all other drives when doing the reset.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 9
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I did just that. Unplugged my D drive, did the refresh and than after that plugged back my in my data drive. All my info was still there and my hardware issue is now fixed. Appreciate the help AddRAM!
      My Computer


 

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