Installing Windows, not sure which drive?

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  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    Installing Windows, not sure which drive?


    Hey :) I apologise in advance if I sound totally stupid.

    A few days ago I tried to do a factory reset on my laptop but it failed right at the end and I ended up with no os installed.
    I used another computer to put Windows 10 on a usb to use to install on my laptop.

    I've booted it up but stuck straight away because I'm not sure which drive/partition I should pick to install on?
    I've read that I should pick the largest drive and also read I should pick a primary drive.
    I have a primary drive but I have an unallocated drive that is much larger, so not sure which to pick.

    Here is a picture if my drive:
    20181017-024410 — imgbb.com

    Could someone please guide me through this step?

    Thank you
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #2

    Looks like you have 1 drive (drive 0) which contains 2 partitions and a bunch of unallocated space.

    If you want to do a clean install, highlight each of those partitions and delete them.

    The drive will then be 100% unallocated space.

    Then install Windows to that unallocated space.

    Windows will make the necessary partitions during the installation.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,773
    Windows 10 Home
       #3

    Partition 1 WINDOWS. If you want to start with a truly clean copy of Windows, click each line, then Delete until you have just one big Unallocated Space and choose that one. Windows will partition it properly to boot and recover. See Step 13 in this tutorial - Clean Install Windows 10
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks very much for the replies!
    I read in the tutorial about deleting each one but the delete option is greyed out for the lines with unallocated space.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,487
    Windows 10 Home, 64-bit
       #5

    You can't and don't want to delete unallocated space.

    Delete the partitions.

    Unallocated space is not a partition.

    When the drive has 100% unallocated space, it has NO partitions.

    Windows will make the required partitions in the next steps. The PC will reboot several times during the process.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 134
    windows 10
       #6

    Hi,
    In case you have data on on your computer which you don't want to loose, select drive 0 partition 1 and hit next,. This will do a parallal install of windows and all of your files will move to C/windows.old

    If you have nothing on the system, than clean OS installation is the best option.
    Use Shift + F10 to open CMD type following to clean the HDD.
    diskpart
    list disk
    select disk 0
    clean

    Now close CMD and hit refresh, you should see only 1 unallocated space now. Select that and hit next
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #7

    Had you tried to recover the computer files?
    If you want to recover the computer files that may be able to be performed with Kyhi boot rescue:
    Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk - Windows 10 Forums

    If you want to troubleshoot the failure to reset and possibly fix the underlying problems that is another option.
    Using the Windows 10 iso in the left lower corner there is repair your computer which opens the windows advanced troubleshooting menu on the iso. This includes startup repair, system restore, command prompt, etc.

    If you have no important files on the computer then you can completely clean the drive and install Windows 10 1803 with a USB flash drive.
    Download Windows 10
    Clean Install Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thank you everyone for the replies. I deleted the partitions like was mentioned and that put all of the unallocated space together so I only had one option there.
    It was so simple that I now feel a bit silly asking the question in the first place!

    I have windows up and running perfectly now.

    Thank you all again! :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #9

    Once you have Windows installed it will by default install drivers.
    Open the website for the computer or motherboard manufacturer > support > enter the product or serial number or model > select the operating system > view dirvers
    Install drivers from the computer or motherboard manufacturer website as these are the best tested drivers for the computer's configuration.
    For any drivers that are not displayed then use the component manufacturer's websites (Intel, Nvidia, AMD, Killer Networks, Realtek, etc.)
    Webistes that find and update drivers can install unknown files.
    Once drivers are installed, then install applications and files.
    When the computer is functioning to your satisfaction create a backup image.
    Backup images are highly recommended in Ten Forums.
    Some software companies are: Aoemi, Acronis, EaseUS, Macrium, Paragon, etc.
    There are free and pay versions.
    Macrium is widely used and there is a tutorial on how to backup and restore:
    Macrium Software | Your Image is Everything
    Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect | Windows 10 Tutorials

    On a regular basis copy and paste these commands in to administrative command prompt to keep the operating system and drive file system tuned up:
    sfc /scannow
    dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
    chkdsk /scan
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #10

    2nd Zbooks recommendation:

    BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP
      My Computers


 

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