Help with Windows 10 Ver 1909 on a PC

Shack · 30 Nov 2019

Hi Folks. first post from a techno numpty.
After many trials and tribulations including BIOS repair, I have managed a clean install of 10 on an SSD after recommendations. My PC has a Gigabyte motherboard, Intel Core i5 3330@3.00Ghz, with 8.00Gb Ram, SSD is 240GB, and HDD is 1TB.
Previously I was running Win 7 on an HDD, which was upgraded to Windows 10, and on which I was able to run my existing program files. For some reason I decided do a clean install of 10 on an SSD, having read some recommendations for this.
I can run 10 quite happily from the SSD, but have been unable to run my word processor, Textmaker, or my email Thunderbird, from the old HDD. I can see all the files on the drive, but when I run the programs from the file app they appear as newly installed programs requiring registration, account details etc., and do not have any of my personal data attached.
Clearly I am doing something wrong, and would be grateful if someone would point me towards the, no doubt simple, answer.
I believe it makes sense to put my programs on the SSD and keep the HDD for data, which I would like to do. Advice on how to do this would also be gratefully received.

dalchina · 30 Nov 2019

I decided do a clean install of 10 on an SSD

Hi, for any programs that normally require installation, then you will have to install those programs under your new Windows 10.

Many entries in the registry and folders elsewhere, even drivers, may be created when a program is installed.

For example, you can install Thunderbird, but have emails, contacts, your profile etc stored on a separate drive or partition. (You have to set this up yourself).

Yes, it's a great idea to keep personal data off C: for backup and O/S maintenance reasons.

So you should aim to reinstall your progs on your new OS, and you can use your HDD for data. That will mean transferring data from your HDD to new locations, so you might prefer, for example, to use a separate HDD in your PC, keeping your old one as a source of data until you have transferred everything to an appropriate place on the internal disks.

Shack · 30 Nov 2019

Thanks very much, I already have an unused HDD fitted which could do this. So if I understand you correctly, I cannot transfer the existing programs from the HDD which was running them on 10 previously, but must re-install them as new programmes on the SSD. Which may require me to purchase them in some cases. Is that correct?
How do I then access all my data files on these programs?
Apologies if I appear/am dense.

dalchina · 30 Nov 2019

Which may require me to purchase them in some cases.

If you have a relevant license appropriate to a version compatible with your Win 10, then you can use that, assuming you know it.

For those licensed as a giveaway on the day, e.g, then you can assume not.

If you have no record of the license, it might be possible to retrieve it, but not sure how to do that offline (Windows not running).
You can search for keyfinders e.g. - there are such programs- but none are 100% successful.

How do I then access all my data files on these programs?

As I said, you would need to transfer program-related data from your old HDD to an appropriate location on your new Windows installation, that being on a per program basis.

In some cases that is well documented (e.g. Thunderbird) - but you would have been far better making appropriate preparations when your old Windows installation was running.

If they are simply data files, then copy them across.

*** A key issue is maintaining your new installation. Before making any further changes, first start using disk imaging. tenforums members tirelessly recommend this, e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + large anoutgh external storage for image files.

You can image Windows- all its partitions (4 for UEFI) and any other partition or disk too.

Free version: initial base image, and subsequently differential images.

Then if something goes wrong you can restore a recent disk image relatively quickly, if the problem has occurred since that image was created.

Sorry, can't answer questions on imaging- done so many times. There are youtube videos and tutorials here and elsewhere; MR is very well documented.

Shack · 01 Dec 2019

I'm not sure what 'making appropriate preparations' means. I made a complete backup of what was on Windows 7 HDD before upgrading, but this has not helped me in finding and transferring my data from it, no doubt due to my fairly obvious and previously demonstrated lack of computer knowledge, but thanks anyway.

dalchina · 01 Dec 2019

Thank you for your reply. I hope something will help you or prompt thought.

Ztruker · 01 Dec 2019

Bit late now but I would have cloned the Windows 10 to the new SSD if I had programs I was not sure I could reinstall after a clean install of Win 10. You could then use Minitool Partition Wizard to adjust the partition sizes as necessary. I don't know if this will work though since the HDD appears to have been 1TB and the new SSD is only 240GB. Maybe spring for another $68 and pick up a new Samsung EVO 1TB SSD from Amazon as they are still on sale, then space would not be a problem.

Actually you could still try this if you want. Use Macruium Reflect Free or Premium to make an image backup of the entire SSD then start over as described above. If it doesn't work, you've lost nothing but some time since you restore the Macrium image and be right back to where you are now in less than 30 minutes. Don't forget to create the rescue flash drive.