Reinstalling Windows

Alex Adamson · 3 Mar 2018 at 15:03

So I'm buying a new SSD to replace the HDD my OS is on. When I reset my PC does it wipe all connected drives and let me chose where to reinstall Windows? If not how can I do that?

ANDARIAL · 3 Mar 2018 at 15:25

Safest way is to disconnect ALL hard drives except the drive you want to install the new OS onto
Sometimes Windows will put files on any drive it chooses,like the swap file etc

bremen1874 · 3 Mar 2018 at 15:37

Why are you reinstalling?

Cloning not possible?

Alex Adamson · 3 Mar 2018 at 15:39

bremen1874 said:
Why are you reinstalling?

Cloning not possible?

Sorry, I don't know what cloning is in this context.

Space Monkey · 3 Mar 2018 at 16:02

Alex Adamson said:
Sorry, I don't know what cloning is in this context.

Software that allows the whole of the original HDD to be copied (cloned) to the new SSD, Samsung SSDs have such an option, did this recently for my sister's laptop, didn't take long either

Alex Adamson · 3 Mar 2018 at 16:04

Space Monkey said:
Software that allows the whole of the original HDD to be copied (cloned) to the new SSD, Samsung SSDs have such an option, did this recently for my sister's laptop, didn't take long either

Ah I see. But I'm afraid I don't want to move everything over. Just the OS and go from there. My music and films etc. I'd rather keep on the bigger HDD

Smffy · 4 Mar 2018 at 10:15

Create the USB install media, disconnect all the drives you want to keep files from. Boot, load the USB (you may have to hit the BIOS and edit boot order). If you already have the usb image I would still suggest getting the most up to date if it’s Old, faster than installing hundreds of updates.

In the process choose new install and then you will see the drives, format all and delete partitions, create new partitions and install on chosen drive.