Reinstalling Win10 to SSD

dallasfan said:

I just want a clean OS, without all of the junk.
Will the file directory (videos, pictures, documents) be accessible if I keep the drives installed? Do you still have to change pins on HDD to make them either a slave or master?

Unplug your storage HDD from sata on motherboard.

Unplug existing HDD with windows on it

Plug in new SSD into sata port #1 on motherboard

Install clean windows on SSD using usb
Download Windows 10 ISO File

Have your kids download /install steam etc on new SSD

connect storage HDD to sata #2 on motherboard

Then ask kids what is missing, if anything from steam etc

You are safe, you still have original HDD with windows on it you can always disconnect SSD and put back system as it was before and connect all drives as before you did clean install SSD

You can use SSD many installs , another clean install only takes about 10 mins to desktop and windows will download/install all necesary motherboard drivers to SSD automatic

I doubt your HDD has master slave etc as it sounds new and is sata cabled to MB

give it a try its safe no cloning needed and not difficult to do, as you can always revert back 100% to old system HDD configuration this way

Later you can reconnect old configuration HDD's and copy vids pics etc to a usb if desired

good luck

These steps take time and are best performed overnight.

Users folders can be copied to another disk drive or the cloud (perform overnight).

The HD can be replaced with the SSD followed by a clean install Windows 1909.
This will be the cleanest drive (no factory installed software, bloatware,etc.)
It will have the new Windows partition structure making it easier for future updates and upgrades.

Drivers are then installed from the computer or motherboard manufacturer's websites.
For any drivers needed that were not displayed use the component manufacturer websites: Intel, Nvidia, AMD, Killer Networks, Realtek, etc.
Install applications.
Perform Windows updates.

Restore Users folders (perform overnight).

dallasfan said:

Thanks everyone. I didn't know cloning was an option. The SDD is only 250 GB, just large enough for Win10. If I clone the HDD to the SDD will all of the junk files get copied over too? I just want a clean OS, without all of the junk.
Will the file directory (videos, pictures, documents) be accessible if I keep the drives installed? Do you still have to change pins on HDD to make them either a slave or master?

Windows only takes c. 20GB. Your c: drive may have much more data if you have installed games they since they use much space. You could do the following if the new SSD has sufficient capacity to replace the current system hard drive:

1. Image all the partitions required to boot Windows on the current HDD using Macrium Reflect Free to a spare disk on your PC or external drive. Also make a Reflect USB installation disk.
2. Remove the old HDD and replace it by the new SSD
3. Boot the Reflect USB drive and recover the image made above to the new SSD
4. Reboot and you should be operating from the new SSD

See 'Idiots Guide' to Transferring Windows from a HDD to a SSD | Windows 8 Help Forums

If your games are taking up too much space on the c: drive then you could consider reinstalling them on another HDD where there is more space to free space on the c: drive. Take a copy of your saved games folders before you do this so you can recover your saved games.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the help and advice. I will let you know how it goes. And thanks for being so responsive to the newbie.