Best way to do a clean install of windows 10 replacing old hard drive with ssd?

[heronymousrex]

My 7 year old laptop's hdd is on its death bed on windows 7 and I have a 500gb SSD to replace it as well as a windows 10 key. I want to start fresh do a clean install of windows 10. Do I need to uninstall windows 7 (is the key stored on the motherboard since it came pre-installed on the syatem)? or can I remove the old hard drive, put in the ssd, and install windows 10 on a flash drive?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. Prepare for Windows installation with USB tool or use available media
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

2. Connect boot drive data cable to lowest numbered SATA port .... but don't connect:
-Ethernet cable
-SATA Data Cable for any other drives

3. Install Windows to boot drive

4. Turn off Windows ability to install Hardware drivers
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/48277-enable-disable-driver-updates-windows-update-windows-10-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/82137-drivers-turn-off-automatic-driver-installation.html

5. Install all hardware drivers from original media in boxes See Item 7 below

6. Connect ethernet cable and run Windows Update till it stops doing anything

7. Install latest drivers for ALL hardware from manufacturers web sites. The reason we didn't do this in step 5 is 3 fold:
-Sometimes MoBo CD comes with licensed utilities with product key embedded and these are not on web site versions
-Its advisable to establish a working out of box conditions
-Sometimes newer drivers require latest Windows Updates

If you have a 2nd drive ....

8. Shut down and connect HD data cable to 2nd lowest numbered SATA port.

9. Boot to BIOS and make sure that SSD is the 1st boot device, if not fix it

10. Boot to Windows

 

[Rogue Leader]

Blah blah blah

Seriously?? he has a laptop.

OP, yes just swap in the new drive and install Windows from a bootable flash drive. I would double check with the manufacturer of the laptop that it is compatible with 10 as some Laptops were not because of some pieces of onboard hardware.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The instructions are universal. We have been providing desktops and laptops to users for over 25 years and that's how we do every one.

For the desktops, I imagine you won't have any trouble understanding ... but for laptops, we order each lappie custom built with just an SSD ... and install the 2nd HD or SSHD ourselves. It's not real complicated.

In his case, we would remove the HD, install the SSD .... just like it says in steps 1 - 7. If he wanted to reinstall the HD, we'd then proceed with Step 8. I don't really see where you are getting lost ?

 

[Rogue Leader]

The instructions are universal. We have been providing desktops and laptops to users for over 25 years and that's how we do every one.

For the desktops, I imagine you won't have any trouble understanding ... but for laptops, we order each lappie custom built with just an SSD ... and install the 2nd HD or SSHD ourselves. It's not real complicated.

In his case, we would remove the HD, install the SSD .... just like it says in steps 1 - 7. If he wanted to reinstall the HD, we'd then proceed with Step 8. I don't really see where you are getting lost ?

I'm not lost, the point is yet again, a massively over complicated answer for a simple question. The guy has a laptop, he has no hardware media drivers in boxes, he has no sata cables, and he has no 2nd drive. Being its 7 years old it may not even support Windows 10 as we have seen.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

1. It's a standard detailed answer w/ universal applicability. A universal instruction set that we give to every user desktop or laptop. Tho its been updated over the years, never had anyone who had trouble understanding it.

2. No driver CD ? Weird, never encountered that situation

All the IBMs we had back in the 90s, all had a driver CD ... still have some from the 90s

All the ones that come in here for service, came w/ a driver CD, we ask them to bring it in

All the ones we bought / supplied last 10 years have a driver CD

2. If you want to argue semantics, perhaps **if it was specific to a lappie", I would give ya the point because the cable is already connecting to a mounting frame. But no, it's not a wireless HD or SSD. The SSD goes in the mounting frame that is connected to the cable that is connected to the primary port.

3. He stated he has a 2nd drive, its right in his post, he's currently using it. I have no idea if he will choose to do so, but the option to connect it exists. If he chooses to add a new drive after the 500GB gets full, the instructions are there. We include it in all the ones we've provided soi I don't have to take that phone call 12 months down the line.

As to Windows 10, here we agree. It has never been a good idea to install a new OS on hardware that game on an older one (exception being Win ME and Vista). Evenm if it is supported, it will be drastically slower.

 

[Rogue Leader]

1. It's a standard detailed answer w/ universal applicability. A universal instruction set that we give to every user desktop or laptop. Tho its been updated over the years, never had anyone who had trouble understanding it.

2. No driver CD ? Weird, never encountered that situation

All the IBMs we had back in the 90s, all had a driver CD ... still have some from the 90s

All the ones that come in here for service, came w/ a driver CD, we ask them to bring it in

All the ones we bought / supplied last 10 years have a driver CD

2. If you want to argue semantics, perhaps **if it was specific to a lappie", I would give ya the point because the cable is already connecting to a mounting frame. But no, it's not a wireless HD or SSD. The SSD goes in the mounting frame that is connected to the cable that is connected to the primary port.

3. He stated he has a 2nd drive, its right in his post, he's currently using it. I have no idea if he will choose to do so, but the option to connect it exists. If he chooses to add a new drive after the 500GB gets full, the instructions are there. We include it in all the ones we've provided soi I don't have to take that phone call 12 months down the line.

As to Windows 10, here we agree. It has never been a good idea to install a new OS on hardware that game on an older one (exception being Win ME and Vista). Evenm if it is supported, it will be drastically slower.

Copypasta is not how to answer people, especially with the ridiculously complicated answers that I have already called you on in the past.

Really you're gonna call me on semantics about the "cable". Your instructions do not apply to a laptop, there is no choice of connections. Yes clearly its plugged in somehow, cut the wiseass responses.

Yes he has a 2nd drive, as in a replacement for his current drive. Its a laptop, which RARELY do normal laptops have room for a second drive, the dells and HPs and so forth that come through here. Some do, but thats the exception rather than the rule. Again overcomplication for no reason. Hes asking about replacing the drive not adding one.

Now this thread has been taken far enough offtopic. The OP has his answer if you have a problem with this then PM me, otherwise leave it alone.

 

[popatim]

I haven't seen a prebuilt pc or laptop come with media in years. They all expect you to create your recovery disks when you setup the system. (of course very few people do)
Where do you order from Jack? I want to order from there too!

 

[gaius_iulius]

I'm surprised JackNaylorPE didn't advise compiling Windows 10 from source first, lol.

heronymousrex, listen to Rogue Leader ... go to the Microsoft page which allows you to check whether your machine is ready for Windows 10.
If it is, prepare an Installation USB flash drive, swap disks in your laptop and just install Windows 10.

You'll be done in 20 minutes.

Cheers,
Gaius



P.S.:

We have been providing desktops and laptops to users for over 25 years and that's how we do every one.

And are both your customers still satisfied with your services?

 

[logainofhades]

I haven't seen a prebuilt pc or laptop come with media in years. They all expect you to create your recovery disks when you setup the system. (of course very few people do)
Where do you order from Jack? I want to order from there too!

Yea even my Asus laptop, that I bought over 6yrs ago didn't come with any media, and you were expected to make your own.