Question Can I plug in a used SSD into a new PC?

[giancua0]

Completely upgraded my PC except my SSD which is from my last build. Can I just plug that into the new PC or would that have any adverse effects? Should I just wipe the SSD and then plug it in? Any help is much appreciated! I have the Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB if that helps at all.

 

[richiestang_78]

A full reinstall of the OS is almost universally recommended to avoid issues both small and large.

 

[DSzymborski]

Richie's advice is on-point. Windows installs are not meant to be modular in this way unless you have a very specific Windows-to-Go install. While it can work, there's a chance it won't work at all or that you're chasing gremlins for a year. Best practice is a full reinstall with a platform change.

 

[giancua0]

Richie's advice is on-point. Windows installs are not meant to be modular in this way unless you have a very specific Windows-to-Go install. While it can work, there's a chance it won't work at all or that you're chasing gremlins for a year. Best practice is a full reinstall with a platform change.

How would I go about doing this?

 

[giancua0]

A full reinstall of the OS is almost universally recommended to avoid issues both small and large.

How would I go about doing this?

 

[CosmicDance]

You start your PC and make sure the BIOS is set to boot from DVD drive firstly in the Boot Order options.
You then reboot with your Windows DVD in the drive and it will start the installation process.

If you don't have an original Windows DVD then you can download an ISO from the Microsoft site and burn this to DVD.
You can also do the same procedure but write it to a USB if your BIOS allows booting from USB.

In order to enter the Windows key when installing you will need to firstly find out your current Windows key.
Either a sticker on your PC case, documentation that came with it will show the key or download the free Belarc Advisor utility which will locate and display all product keys installed on your system.

You then use this key when installing Windows onto your SSD.
Installing onto SSD is the same procedure as installing onto a HDD so just google a tutorial if you're unsure.

Andy

 

[USAFRet]

Read through this a time or two to get familar with the process:

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to wiping the drive of all previous contents, and continuing on with a blank drive.