Fresh OS Install - Windows 10

Kanpai · 17 Jan 2019 at 08:53

I have recently purchased a Samsung NVME SSD and will be looking to do a fresh install of Windows 10 on my PC.

I currently have a SSD boot drive which going forward I'd like to keep as additional storage and just wanted to know the best way of going about this.

My idea is:

- Remove old SSD and install new NVME SSD
- Install Windows on new SSD and recover license through setup wizard (I read somewhere it can restore the digital signature?)
- Set up all my apps etc
- Attach old SSD
- Ensure boot drive is still for the new SSD
- Format old SSD from within Windows 10

Does that sound about right?

doodah · 17 Jan 2019 at 09:49

Don't know about license recovery but sounds about right. Good luck

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Kanpai · 17 Jan 2019 at 10:15

doodah said:
Don't know about license recovery but sounds about right. Good luck .

Thanks

Apparently when you install Windows you can just check "I don't have a license key" and once Windows is installed it will check the servers and restore your license key.

Either way, I think I have my key lying around somewhere but interesting nevertheless.

Will share my findings!

Looking forward to installing this Samsung M2 SSD, expecting good things!

doodah · 17 Jan 2019 at 11:47

Just about to do the same

Assume you got the 960 Pro :cool:

?

StevieP · 17 Jan 2019 at 12:02

Just one additional thought, I have always been under the impression that you shouldn't format an SSD - I've only ever deleted the partitions and started fresh - although I think I've only ever used an SSD as the boot drive rather than just for storage!

Kanpai · 17 Jan 2019 at 12:30

doodah said:
Just about to do the same

Assume you got the 960 Pro ?

Went for the 970 EVO Internal

StevieP said:
Just one additional thought, I have always been under the impression that you shouldn't format an SSD - I've only ever deleted the partitions and started fresh - although I think I've only ever used an SSD as the boot drive rather than just for storage!

Ah yes I remember now, I will probably just delete everything off it in that case!

linktoinsanity · 17 Jan 2019 at 13:19

SpartaK said:
Apparently when you install Windows you can just check "I don't have a license key" and once Windows is installed it will check the servers and restore your license key.

Correct.

StevieP said:
Just one additional thought, I have always been under the impression that you shouldn't format an SSD - I've only ever deleted the partitions and started fresh - although I think I've only ever used an SSD as the boot drive rather than just for storage!

Full formatting unnecessarily can cause additional wear, but if you are re-using the drive as a data drive I would Quick Format it, which should not cause the same kind of wear.

Kanpai · 17 Jan 2019 at 19:28

Just an update, M2 SSD installed fine with no issues, Windows 10 installed in less than 10 minutes.

I can't believe how fast this thing is, I never thought I'd see the difference between two SSD's but it's night and day!

Windows as suggested automatically registered the license key after setup (just choose the option for not having a key during install).

Kainz · 23 Jan 2019 at 21:54

SpartaK said:
Just an update, M2 SSD installed fine with no issues, Windows 10 installed in less than 10 minutes.

I can't believe how fast this thing is, I never thought I'd see the difference between two SSD's but it's night and day!

Windows as suggested automatically registered the license key after setup (just choose the option for not having a key during install).

How fast is your boot times now, say from when you first see the windows logo? Haven't a clue how to measure it tbh!

Kanpai · 23 Jan 2019 at 22:40

Kainz said:
How fast is your boot times now, say from when you first see the windows logo? Haven't a clue how to measure it tbh!

Well, from the moment I press the power button I'm up and running in Windows in 22 seconds to be precise! I've just noticed in general the opening and closing of apps and installing apps is so much faster.

Here's a comparison between my old Samsung Evo and the new:

Kainz · 23 Jan 2019 at 23:41

Flipping hell @ sequential reads lol :eek:

I need to upgrade!

Quartz · 24 Jan 2019 at 00:04

SpartaK said:
My idea is:

I'm late to the party - as usual - but were you not able to install the NVME SSD and clone the SSD onto it? Then remove the SSD and change the boot drive in the BIOS?

Kanpai · 24 Jan 2019 at 08:39

Kainz said:
Flipping hell @ sequential reads lol I need to upgrade!

It's crazy, never thought SSD > SSD would be so substantial!

Quartz said:
I'm late to the party - as usual - but were you not able to install the NVME SSD and clone the SSD onto it? Then remove the SSD and change the boot drive in the BIOS?

Hi, I didn't clone the SSD as I just wanted to start fresh, but I believe you can use the Samsung Disk Wizard tool to clone the SSD, seems pretty straightforward.

doodah · 4 Feb 2019 at 10:28

So I tried again with W10 on both affected laptops. The friends installed find and is playing ball, however mine experienced exactly the same problem (installs fine, works for a short period and then the next time it's turned on = the automatic repair loop starts).

Time to send back the SSD to Amazon.

Usher · 4 Feb 2019 at 10:42

doodah said:
So I tried again with W10 on both affected laptops. The friends installed find and is playing ball, however mine experienced exactly the same problem (installs fine, works for a short period and then the next time it's turned on = the automatic repair loop starts).

Time to send back the SSD to Amazon.

I had that repair loop problem, it's a known bug if installing from a USB. I fixed it by wiping the SSD and downloading Win10 onto a CD and it installed perfectly

doodah · 4 Feb 2019 at 10:46

Ah okay - thanks. Now to find a device that has a CD drive

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