Installing Windows on a new SSD - then replacing back to the HDD

mibaup · 28 Mar 2017

If I only want to test the speeds of the new SSD on a specific machine, but then return the old hard drive, will it be ok if I took out the hdd with the current Win10 installation, then install Win10 on the new SSD, test stuff etc, and then return back the hdd? Or it may cause problems? And I won't be able to access the Windows back in the hdd after removal?

*Edit: It's a laptop with only 1 drive slot that's why I need to do those switchings
ty

NavyLCDR · 28 Mar 2017

You can re-install the same version of Windows on the same computer as many times as you want without affecting anything. That includes switching around drives with Windows installed on them.

jimbo45 · 28 Mar 2017

Hi there

You don't even need to re-install -- if you have a USB2 or USB3-->Sata connection cable simply make a backup to HDD and then Restore to the target old HDD you want to put in your laptop and then replace it back into the laptop..

You can even use the same HDD provided you create another partition on it for the backup --you can delete that partition after the restore.

Use something like bootable version of Free Macrium --don't forget for taking the image you need the system partition too.

Much quicker and probably less error prone than re-installing Windows again completely.

Use RUFUS for converting say the Macrium .iso file to a bootable image on a USB stick.

Cheers
jimbo