Windows 10 Clean Install  

dst11 said:

when the W10 partition is on the left and the W7 partition is on the right (way 1), Setup doesn't see the W7 partition and multi-boot must be setup manually. But when the W7 partition is on the left and the W10 partition is on the right (way 2), Setup sees the W7 partition and multi-boot is setup automatically.

I was wondering whether you would like to post screenshots of them.

dst11 said:

Thanks for the detailed reply! I have a followup question if you have time. I see when the W10 partition is on the left and the W7 partition is on the right (way 1), Setup doesn't see the W7 partition and multi-boot must be setup manually. But when the W7 partition is on the left and the W10 partition is on the right (way 2), Setup sees the W7 partition and multi-boot is setup automatically. Is there a reason for that? I plan to install W10 on a new disc (SSD). W7 is on the old drive (HDD). Does that change things?

Using method 1, with the Windows 7 partition moved to the right, you are deleting the system and recovery partitions before Windows setup really starts working on the drive. Without the system partition there, Windows setup just sees the Windows 7 partition as a data partition, not an OS. Using method 2, you are leaving the system partition in place, that tells Windows setup that the Windows 7 partition is really an installed OS, so Windows 10 sets up dual booting with it.

AddRAM said:

I don`t understand why you even see W7 if you are installing W10 on a new SSD. You should be unplugging any and all other drives connected to the motherboard, except the ssd you want to install W10 on.

After that you hook up the W7 drive, then set whichever drive you want as default in the Bios, then simply bring up the Boot Menu when you 1st turn on the PC (usually F8) then choose W10 when you want to use it.

This is the 1st sentence you posted at the start of the thread.

"I use Windows 7 on a HDD at the moment. I plan to do a clean install of Windows 10 on a SSD"

My reply was mostly to @Matthew Wai's statement that you have to delete all partitions. You don't have to delete all partitions. In the OP's situation, disconnecting the Windows 7 HDD would be similar to method 1 in my post. There won't be a system partition to tell Windows 10 setup about any other installed OS. If the HDD were left disconnect, that would be similar to method 2 in my post - there will be a system partition present on the HDD, and Windows 10 setup is likely to see that and set up dual booting with the system partition remaining on the HDD. Although that also depends on firmware settings. If the firmware settings prevent the computer from booting from the HDD, with an error such as "No OS present" or "No boot device", then the likely outcome of an install to the SSD would be method 1 - Windows 10 booting only with the system partition on the SSD.

NavyLCDR said:

@Matthew Wai's statement that you have to delete all partitions.

If I recall correctly, I have never written the word "all" in this thread.

AddRAM said:

I don`t understand why you even see W7 if you are installing W10 on a new SSD. You should be unplugging any and all other drives connected to the motherboard, except the ssd you want to install W10 on.

After that you hook up the W7 drive, then set whichever drive you want as default in the Bios, then simply bring up the Boot Menu when you 1st turn on the PC (usually F8) then choose W10 when you want to use it.

Because I don't see why the W10 installer would erase my W7 partition IF I'm careful during the W10 install, and don't do something stupid like deleting the W7 partition myself, or select it when the W10 installer asks me where to install W10.

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Matthew Wai said:

I was wondering whether you would like to post screenshots of them.

Of course. Here's a screenshot of the MiniTool Partition Wizard: https://i.imgur.com/v7MA3Cm.jpg

Disk 1 is the new SSD. Disk 1 has a 100GB NTFS partition with W7 (C:OS). Disks 3/4 are USB sticks. Same for Disk 5. It's a 128GB USB stick where I burned the W10 iso using Rufus. I see now it says "Bad Disk" for some reason! I can see the USB stick just fine. 'Properties' of the USB stick says 5.13GB used...

Hi,
Because ten likes to be able to create partitions when it wants too
As long as the disk is gpt dual boot how ever you want too.

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
Because ten likes to be able to create partitions when it wants too
As long as the disk is gpt dual boot how ever you want too.

It's MBR. Is that a problem? I selected MBR when I burned the W10 ISO in the USB stick.

Hi,
Yes
Post a disk management screen shot surprised nobody has asked for one yet :/
MBR only allows four max partitions
GPT is endless amount.

ThrashZone said:

Hi,
Yes
Post a disk management screen shot surprised nobody has asked for one yet :/
MBR only allows four max partitions
GPT is endless amount.

Of course. Here's a screenshot of the MiniTool Partition Wizard: https://i.imgur.com/v7MA3Cm.jpg

Disk 1 is the new SSD. Disk 1 has a 100GB NTFS partition with W7 (C:OS). Disks 3/4 are USB sticks. Same for Disk 5. It's a 128GB USB stick where I burned the W10 iso using Rufus. I see now it says "Bad Disk" for some reason! I can see the USB stick just fine. 'Properties' of the USB stick says 5.13GB used...

dst11 said:

Of course. Here's a screenshot of the MiniTool Partition Wizard: https://i.imgur.com/v7MA3Cm.jpg

Disk 1 is the new SSD. Disk 1 has a 100GB NTFS partition with W7 (C:OS). Disks 3/4 are USB sticks. Same for Disk 5. It's a 128GB USB stick where I burned the W10 iso using Rufus. I see now it says "Bad Disk" for some reason! I can see the USB stick just fine. 'Properties' of the USB stick says 5.13GB used...

Hi,
You already have four partitions
10 can't install another one just for the 10 installer 450mb system recovery so the install will likely fail with disk issues.

Best to use another ssd.

Mini tool can make it gpt.
How to Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss in Windows 7/8/10

Hi,
Also this one

Best MBR to GPT conversion without losing Data - Windows 7 Help Forums