Questions pertaining to SSD install

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  1. bicycleman
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10 anniversary
       New #1

    Questions pertaining to SSD install


    My 10 year old HP desktop is running extremely slow. Perhaps due to the progression of upgrades from Win 7 to Win 8 and now Win 10. Takes almost five minutes to boot up and is slow opening programs. I have been told resetting Windows and installing a SSD is the best way to go.

    One question is when resetting is it best to keep my data files or do a total reset?
    Also, should I reset Windows on the current hard drive and then clone to the SSD or should I clone to the SSD and then do the reset?

    I used to be fairly knowledgeable about computers back in the 1980's and 1990's but this new stuff is confusing to me.Any additional advise will be welcomed.
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  3. Ghot
    Posts : 23,174
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4291 (x64) [22H2]
       New #2

    I would install the SSD, unhook all other drives, and just do a clean install of Windows 10.

    Clean Install Windows 10
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  4. Paul Black
    Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       New #3

    Hello @bicycleman,

    A lot of it depends on if you want to perform a Clean Install as you have Upgraded from Win 7 > Win 8 > Win 10. It will of course involve re-installing ALL of your Software and copying the Data across, but you would end up with a fast clean OS.

    > How to Clean Install Windows 10

    Alternatively, you could Clone the current Disk to the SSD using Macrium Reflect or another Imaging Program [ Details available if needed ].

    With the first option, it would also give you a cleaner install because you would NOT be imaging across any junk or leftover files [ Uninstalled Programs, Registry Files etc ].

    I hope this helps.
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  6. bicycleman
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10 anniversary
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    difference clean install and resetting


    Is there a big difference in a clean install vs resetting? Seems like the clean install is far more complicated but if there is a substantial performance difference, I would go with the clean install. I don't use the computer for gaming or anything that uses a lot of cpu power. It has a I7 processor and it was very fast when it ran Windows 7.
    Also, when doing a clean install, how is Windows activated? Do I need the activation or whatever its called number?
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  7. Paul Black
    Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       New #5

    Hello @bicycleman,

    bicycleman said:
    Is there a big difference in a clean install vs resetting? Seems like the clean install is far more complicated but if there is a substantial performance difference, I would go with the clean install.

    Have a look at this => How to Reset Windows 10

    I hope this helps.
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  8. Bastet
    Posts : 2,544
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       New #6

    I’ve moved over from HDD to SSD & instead of cloning I imaged the drive with Macrium, then swapped the the drives over & used the Macrium boot USB to restore the image.
    I did this as I’ve been reading some users have found the clone option has failed or created further problems & the cloned drive has been unable to boot.
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  9. Ghot
    Posts : 23,174
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4291 (x64) [22H2]
       New #7

    bicycleman said:
    Is there a big difference in a clean install vs resetting? Seems like the clean install is far more complicated but if there is a substantial performance difference, I would go with the clean install. I don't use the computer for gaming or anything that uses a lot of cpu power. It has a I7 processor and it was very fast when it ran Windows 7.
    Also, when doing a clean install, how is Windows activated? Do I need the activation or whatever its called number?


    Every time you "upgrade" to a new operating system, you bring along some "junk" from the old operating system.
    It could be old registry entries, less than perfect drivers, etc.

    One "upgrade" seems to work pretty well. But you're on your 2nd upgrade. (7 > 8 > 10).
    It's probably time for a "clean install". This will clean out all the leftover... dust bunnies.
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  10. bicycleman
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10 anniversary
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Another question


    Thank you to those who responded to my questions. I'm going to follow the advise given here and do a clean install. I've read several articles on how to do the clean install but it is not clear if I need to format the SSD or not. I would think it needs formatting but several articles state it does not when doing a clean install. Yes or no?
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  12. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #9

    It does not need formatting for a clean install. Windows setup will take care of that during the install process.
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  13. zbook
    Posts : 41,455
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       New #10

    When switching drives the old HD can be used as a storage drive.

    Consider testing the HD first with various tests.
    Then backup any important files so that the drive can be cleaned.

    For the SSD you can choose to use BIOS Legacy or UEFI with drive MBR or GPT.

    Download and install new drivers from the HP website.
    (HP has software to help with the process)
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