After a clean install


  1. Posts : 110
    Windows 10
       #1

    After a clean install


    I'm planning on a clean install of Win 10 to a new SSD. There's good info on that process in the forum....but I can't find out how to handle the old C: drive when a new C: (SSD) appears. I understand that when installing I should unplug all the drives except the SSD and the flash drive that contains Win10.
    After I plug in the "old" C: drive again, will I have two boot drives? Will there be a conflict that I have to resolve? I also want to move programs and apps from the old C: drive to the new drive. Can I do that with a backup and restore that excludes the old Windows files?
    I guess the nub of this is that I want to move the contents of an old drive except OS-related files, to a new drive that holds a clean install of the same OS. What traps are waiting for me?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,264
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit Version 21H2
       #2

    List the system specs of the system you are talking about to better help you here. If you are going to do a clean install on this new SSD put this SSD on the first port the older drive was on and remove the other for now, then select that SSD to do your clean install on during installation.
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

    With most software it would be best to just reinstall them on the new drive and you can just format the other drive and use it as D: ( for backup, secondary drive) and even during the clean install. Windows Apps will be reinstalled and any other added through the store can be re-downloaded and installed again. I would make sure to first to backup anything important on an external device before doing anything. If already had Windows 10 is will activate with no problems for you.

    Some here may know better on transferring from one to another.
    Last edited by jds63; 05 Jun 2016 at 16:44.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    Kupuna said:
    I also want to move programs and apps from the old C: drive to the new drive. Can I do that with a backup and restore that excludes the old Windows files?
    I guess the nub of this is that I want to move the contents of an old drive except OS-related files, to a new drive that holds a clean install of the same OS. What traps are waiting for me?
    The trap is that you can't really do what you want to do. You can either:

    1. Clean install Windows 10 on the SSD. Re-install all your programs from scratch. Copy you data files (documents, music, pictures, etc) over. -or-

    2. Clone the Windows 10 installation from the HDD to the SSD and bring not only all your installed programs over, but also the old Windows 10 system files as well.
      My Computer


 

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