Reset PC and storage/external drives query


  1. Posts : 42
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Reset PC and storage/external drives query


    I was wondering if anyone could advise me. I'm needing to reinstall Windows, and I figured I may as well use the reset feature. Would I need to disconnect my external drives and internal storage drive first, to isolate the SSD/C:? Or is it clever enough to leave the storage drives alone, and only wipe/reset the SSD?

    I'd rather not have to haul everything out and open my PC up if it's not necessary, the thought scares me. :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    abibee said:
    I was wondering if anyone could advise me. I'm needing to reinstall Windows, and I figured I may as well use the reset feature. Would I need to disconnect my external drives and internal storage drive first, to isolate the SSD/C:? Or is it clever enough to leave the storage drives alone, and only wipe/reset the SSD?

    I'd rather not have to haul everything out and open my PC up if it's not necessary, the thought scares me. :)
    First - a clean install using a Windows 10 installation flash drive or DVD is much more reliable than the built in Windows 10 reset.

    Second, in order to answer you question we need to see a good screenshot of disk management, with all the columns expanded to see all the info in them:
    Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 42
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Ok thanks, I'll post tomorrow, it's too late at night to figure out all the drive labels! I have 2 internal, 3 including the SSD, and 3 external, and all but C: are partitioned too. Bit of a mess.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    C: is the internal SSD, (Disk 1)H: to L: first internal storage drive (Disk 2)E: to G: second internal storage drive (Disk 0) M: is external (Disk 3)N: to P: are second external (Disk 4)Q: + R: are third external (Disk 5)

    Is this necessary if using the reset feature, rather than a clean install?

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      My Computer


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

    abibee said:
    C: is the internal SSD, (Disk 1)H: to L: first internal storage drive (Disk 2)E: to G: second internal storage drive (Disk 0) M: is external (Disk 3)N: to P: are second external (Disk 4)Q: + R: are third external (Disk 5)

    Is this necessary if using the reset feature, rather than a clean install?
    I would remove the active flag from H: drive. The reason we say to disconnect all other drives when installing/resetting Windows is so you are certain the boot files will be written to the same drive the Windows is going to be on. With the H: drive partition set as active, that is an indication that is where the computer is supposed to boot from in legacy (BIOS) mode. Remove the active flag and you should be fine because you only have 1 EFI system partition shown among all the drives.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Ok thanks, I think I follow.

    I think I'll not be lazy, and I'll disconnect all but the ssd to do an install. So much faffing around though, but what can one do. :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 13,899
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #7

    abibee said:
    Ok thanks, I think I follow.

    I think I'll not be lazy, and I'll disconnect all but the ssd to do an install. So much faffing around though, but what can one do. :)
    I've not had a problem in disconnecting all my External USB HDDs [3] before doing updates and Upgrades, doesn't take long to unplug either the USB cable or the power adapter. I did get a change when I changed to/set up a new computer and one drive got a different letter that it had on the 6-yr. old computer but they are only storage drives, no installed programs on them.
      My Computers


 

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