[SOLVED] Clean install with removing existing active partition

[Ector]

I've got a new comp with an active (bootable) Windows partition on HDD and need to clean install Windows onto SSD only. I want my HDD to be a pure storage disk, with one 4TB partition.

What is the right sequence to install? Do I need to disconnect my HDD and why? And when? My friend tells me to start installation from USB only to delete all partitions, then disconnect HDD to avoid chances of improper installation, then install Windows 10 and connect the HDD again. What would you recommend?

 

[daPain58]

I've got a new comp with an active (bootable) Windows partition on HDD and need to clean install Windows onto SSD only. I want my HDD to be a pure storage disk, with one 4TB partition.

What is the right sequence to install? Do I need to disconnect my HDD and why? And when? My friend tells me to start installation from USB only to delete all partitions, then disconnect HDD to avoid chances of improper installation, then install Windows 10 and connect the HDD again. What would you recommend?

Start windows installation from USB, when you get to the step to select partition to install DVD, you should have Disk0 and Disk 1. Disk1 may be the HDD and it may have multiple partitions whivh sums up to 4TB. Therefore, Disk0 will be the SSD. If tgis is the case and you dont want only 1 HDD partition, delete all partitions of Disk1(if it is the HDD) and then install windoes to Disk0.

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[Ector]

Disk1 may be the HDD and it may have multiple partitions whivh sums up to 4TB. Therefore, Disk0 will be the SSD. If tgis is the case and you dont want only 1 HDD partition, delete all partitions of Disk1(if it is the HDD) and then install windows to Disk0.

Unfortunately, looks like my Disk0 is HDD, and that's why I have the problem: Windows was installed on the "default" drive. My friend tells me that I will have to disconnect my HDD to avoid such problem during Windows installation. Is he right?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes.
Disconnect the HDD
Install on the SSD
Later, reconnect the HDD and delete all partitions on it.


If you leave the HDD connected during an install on the SSD, it will simply ADD the SSD OS to the boot partition on the HDD.
Not what you want at all.

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...

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What size is the SSD?

 

[Ector]

What size is the SSD?

Nearly 1T. It's more than enough for Windows

 

[USAFRet]

OK.

You can either:
Have both drives connected
Start the install process
Delete ALL part tions on the HDD
Power off
Disconnect the HDD
restart and boot into the Win10 USB again
Install on the SSD
Reconnect the HDD later

or

Have the HDD disconnected
Install on the SSD
Reconnect the HDD later and delete all partitions on it


Either way, have ONLY the SSD connected when you do the actual install.

 

[Ector]

Start the install process
Delete ALL part tions on the HDD
Power off
Disconnect the HDD
restart and boot into the Win10 USB again
Install on the SSD
Reconnect the HDD later

Thanks a lot! My friend recommends exactly this, and I find it much more reliable than having two active partitions after installing Windows Now I really know what I should do.

 

[daPain58]

Thanks a lot! My friend recommends exactly this, and I find it much more reliable than having two active partitions after installing Windows Now I really know what I should do.

If Disk0 is HDD, install Windows to Disk1 and before installing delete all Disk 0 partitions

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[Deleted member 14196]

If Disk0 is HDD, install Windows to Disk1 and before installing delete all Disk 0 partitions

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Still wrong. That’s not how it should be don

 

[daPain58]

Still wrong. That’s not how it should be don

Why, I have been doing this for 4 years and I had no issues?

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[USAFRet]

Either way, just as long as only ONE drive is connected during the install.

 

[Ector]

Thanks a lot, USAFret, the quest is completed! 👍