W10 - Install new SSD, format old HDD Query


  1. Posts : 2
    Win10
       #1

    W10 - Install new SSD, format old HDD Query


    Hello,
    I have an old Dell Optiplex 790 that I am in the process of upgrading so it can be somewhat usable again. Next step is to install a new SSD. I have a genuine version of Windows 10 installed on the existing HDD. I am familiar with reinstalling windows and formatting drives, but I have never been in this scenario. I want to format the existing HDD to a clean state, and install windows on the new SSD. Please can someone explain what the most efficient steps are for doing this? The HDD will just be used for storing media (images, video, music etc.)
    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #2

    Welcome to the forum. put the ssd drive in check the bios thats its set to 6gbs and if you have it set to uefi and secure boot. Get the latest windows install from https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10
    Make sure you only have the ssd in while installing you can then add the od drive go itno disk manager and select old drive delete the partition create a new one and format
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 21,421
    19044.1586 - 21H2 Pro x64
       #3

    mfcnorth hello and welcome to tenforums

    Follow our tutorial Clean Install Windows 10 - you can wipe the partitions from the old drive during the installation process.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    steve108 said:
    mfcnorth hello and welcome to tenforums

    Follow our tutorial Clean Install Windows 10 - you can wipe the partitions from the old drive during the installation process.
    Agreed!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    The way that I would do what @mfcnorth suggests is to install the SSD and then boot from a Windows 10 (or 11) USB flash drive created with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

    When the first screen appears asking for keyboard and language, press Shift + F10. This will open a command prompt window. Run:
    Code:
    diskpart
    list disk
    Three drives should appear. Drives 0 and 1 should be the SSD and the HDD. Drive 2 should be the USB flash drive the computer was booted from. After that is verified, continue with:

    Code:
    select disk 0
    clean
    convert gpt
    select disk 1
    clean
    convert gpt
    exit
    exit
    Note: this will erase both disk 0 and disk 1 completely! Make sure disk 0 and disk 1 are the SSD and HDD (or HDD and SSD, order does not matter).

    Continue with the clean install, after you select the custom install option you will see disk 0 and disk 1 listed as completely unallocated spaces. Highlight the SSD in the list. Click next. Let Windows setup finish. After Windows is installed and you are booted into it, then you can add a partition to the HDD and format it. There is no need to have the HDD disconnected during the install process and then reconnect it later.

    NOTE: If after selecting the custom install option, you see small MSR partitions listed on each disk, you can highlight each small partition and click Delete until you get to unallocated space only on both disks.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2
    Win10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    NavyLCDR said:
    The way that I would do what @mfcnorth suggests is to install the SSD and then boot from a Windows 10 (or 11) USB flash drive created with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

    When the first screen appears asking for keyboard and language, press Shift + F10. This will open a command prompt window. Run:
    Code:
    diskpart
    list disk
    Three drives should appear. Drives 0 and 1 should be the SSD and the HDD. Drive 2 should be the USB flash drive the computer was booted from. After that is verified, continue with:

    Code:
    select disk 0
    clean
    convert gpt
    select disk 1
    clean
    convert gpt
    exit
    exit
    Note: this will erase both disk 0 and disk 1 completely! Make sure disk 0 and disk 1 are the SSD and HDD (or HDD and SSD, order does not matter).

    Continue with the clean install, after you select the custom install option you will see disk 0 and disk 1 listed as completely unallocated spaces. Highlight the SSD in the list. Click next. Let Windows setup finish. After Windows is installed and you are booted into it, then you can add a partition to the HDD and format it. There is no need to have the HDD disconnected during the install process and then reconnect it later.

    NOTE: If after selecting the custom install option, you see small MSR partitions listed on each disk, you can highlight each small partition and click Delete until you get to unallocated space only on both disks.
    Thank You. I am going to try this evening!
      My Computer


 

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