Can I install windows on a new SSD without deleting it on my HDD?

I have an HDD with windows 10 installed, and am upgrading to an SSD. I would love to not have to wipe the HDD because there is so much stuff to back up and I'm bound to forget something if I had to wipe.

What I plan to do is unplug the HDD, plug in the SSD and install windows 10 on it, and then later plug the HDD back in and gradually transfer old files from the HDD, then eventually I can wipe the old HDD and use it as storage. I will of course backup the most important things on a USB in case.

I can just do this, right? Any precautions I need to take while doing this? Will windows let me install on the 2nd SSD with my license? Thanks!

theridon said:

I can just do this, right? Any precautions I need to take while doing this? Will windows let me install on the 2nd SSD with my license? Thanks!

Yes.
No more precautions than you normally take with your data.
Yes.

Megahertz said:

On your specs you mention that you have a Laptop but the specs are from a desktop.

If your current win 10 installation is working without issues I suggest you clone your HDD into the SSD IF the SSD size is bigger than the amount of data you have on the HDD.
Example:
- You have a 1T HDD but it only has 350G on it. You can clone to a 512 or 1T SSD
- You have a 1T HDD but it has 550G on it. You can only clone to a 1T or 2T SSD.

On a Desktop:
- Install the SSD on a bay and attach the power and SATA cable
- Boot from the HDD and install Macrium Reflect (free)
- Clone the HDD into the SSD
- Shutdown, detach (power or SATA cable) of the HDD
- boot from the SSD and see if all works.
- Attach power and SATA cable of the HDD
- Set the SSD as BIOS boot first option.
- boot from the SSD and clean all partitions on the HDD (clean is not just format a partition)

You can also install a small SSD (128 or 256G) for Windows and programs and use the HDD for data only. Is what I have on my desktop and laptop. It is a little more complicated but work very well.

On a Laptop:
- Install the SSD on a USB case
- Boot from the HDD and install Macrium Reflect (free)
- Clone the HDD into the SSD
- Shutdown, open the laptop back cover and replace the HDD with the SSD
- boot from the SSD and see if all works.
- Install the HDD on the USB case
- Set the SSD as BIOS boot first option.
- boot from the SSD and clean all partitions on the HDD (clean is not just format a partition)

Sorry, this is for my desktop PC. Windows works fine, but it hasn't been able to do the last update even after trying a good few things. I also want a fresh clean start so I will be doing a clean install.

NavyLCDR said:

Yes.
No more precautions than you normally take with your data.
Yes.

Once I install w10 on the SSD, when I put the HDD back in, it won't cause any problems? Will I have to choose which device to boot from or something?

Megahertz said:

Make sure you disconnect (SATA or power cable) the old HDD from the MB or you will end with the OS on the SSD and the boot manager on the EFI HDD partition.
Once Win 10 is installed on the SSD and is working fine, reconnect the HDD and set the SSD as first boot option on BIOS.

As you have a UEFI BIOS, do a Win 10 Install as UEFI-GPT

On BIOS:
Set Disk mode to AHCI, not RAID
Select OS mode = UEFI
Disable fast boot and secure boot (you can turn it on after installation)

Windows can be installed in two ways: Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT
To install as Legacy-MBR you must boot the installation drive as Legacy
To install as UEFI-GPT you must boot the installation drive as UEFI.

If you have a UEFI BIOS, you should install as UEFI-GPT
Detach any other drives (SATA or Power cable) from the MB.

During POST, press F12 to launch the boot menu. You will see two options for the USB drive. USB UEFI (Name) and USB (Name). Select USB UEFI (Name).
Go to install and delete ALL partitions on the main drive till you have one and only one unallocated space and then proceed.
If you don't want to use MS account, don't enable updates or connect to the internet during installation.

Hey I don't really understand past the first paragraph especially about MBR vs UEFI-are these things I really have to change during the installation process? Doesn't windows automatically set this up?


for: "On BIOS:
Set Disk mode to AHCI, not RAID"

Do I do this after installing Windows?

Thanks again.

Megahertz said:

You have a custom build computer and someone installed Win 10 on it.
What can I say?
The instructions are clear. If you don't know about RAID or AHCI drive configuration, read the GA-H170-GAMING 3 Manual and search Wikipedia for terms you don't know.

Windows can be installed in two ways: Legacy-MBR or UEFI-GPT - Your drive can be initialized as MBR (old type) or GPT (modern type). Windows setup will install one or the other depending how you boot the installation drive.

Ok I think I understand. Btw, I built this pc and installed windows myself.

For the bootable USB, I have used windows media creation tool. I thought it would just automatically do a UEFI GPT, but I'll make sure to go on this bios and make sure it's set to GPT to begin with. I had just never heard of this dichotomy before, would just use windows media creation tool to install with no problems.


And to clarify "During POST, press F12 to launch the boot menu. You will see two options for the USB drive. USB UEFI (Name) and USB (Name). Select USB UEFI (Name).
Go to install and delete ALL partitions on the main drive till you have one and only one unallocated space and then proceed."

This is when I'm about to install windows for the first time on the new SSD, right?

Megahertz said:

Windows media creation tool creates a drive that can be booted as Legacy or UEFI. It is up to you to decide if you want to install as UEFI-GPT or Legacy-MBR.

You have a current Win 10 installation. Lets find if it is a UEFI-GPT or Legacy-MBR.
Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
diskpart
list disk (See if there is a * on the GPT column
exit

Yup there's a star on the GPT column