Delete OS but keep files?

[dann20201]

UPDATE:
I read some of the suggestions. I will follow the one that says to unhook both HDDs and clean install Windows onto my SSD, then plug them both back in, etc.
I want to know if I boot Windows Installation from my USB, "Uninstall Windows" from the HDD that currently has all my files (whilst Windows is installed on my SSD), if I will still be able to access my files on that drive, or if the Uninstall Windows basically formats my HDD.

Hello,
I'm planning on upgrading from my current SATA3 HDD to an M.2 SSD. The HDD is 1TB and the M.2 SSD is only 250GB. I want to clean install Windows 10 onto my SSD (Windows 10 is currently installed and running on the HDD).
I want to free up space on my HDD once I upgrade to the SSD. How would I delete Windows from my HDD while being able to keep and access all my HDD Files?

 

[ElectrO_90]

Windows is generally kept in the Windows Folder, and all your documents are usually in the Users Folder.
Keep the Users Folder.

But if you are using under 250GB right now on your 1TB you can migrate it to your SSD with ease

 

[R0GG]

Cleanest and safest way:
After you 'finished installing windows onto your new SSD you can :
- Copy ( not cut and paste) your files folders and documents - temporarily- from your 1TB drive onto a SPARE external or internal drive, then
- Format your 1TB Drive (quick format would do), then
-copy back the files from your temporary drive onto your 1TB

- If the files are small enough to fit in the 250GB SSD, you can use it as temporary location before you quick format your 1TB drive
- If the files are too large which is the most likely case and you don't have a spare drive, you can COLLECT-GATHER your personal files onto a NEW FOLDER on your 1TB drive (cut- paste this time for space limitation reason Documents, videos, pictures, Game saves), then when you're done just delete Windows folder and all the folders other than the one you gathered your files into , it won't affect the functionality of your 1TB drive as storage device.

- If you're porting your windows 10 installation to the new SSD, you would need to re-install your favorite programs again, your games will be automatically reloaded after reinstalling steam or origin with their cloud game saves, for legacy games you have to copy and save each game progress/ profile from it's specific save folder.

- If you have a spare external drive available, it's strongly advised to back up your 1TB drive onto it before starting doing any modification to it.

 

[Geef]

Here is a little trick you might find useful for the MUSIC, PICTURES, VIDEOS, and DOWNLOADS folders. Open File Explorer and right click on one of those folders on the left, choose properties, and click the location tab. Here you can change where that folder is located. Choose a different location and click the move button. It automatically moves the files to the new location.

I do this for those folders and place the location on my normal hard drive instead of my SSD drive that has my OS on it.

 

[photonboy]

*it's best to NOT DELETE anything initially off the HDD as you may want to boot back to it if you forgot some password, files, e-mail settings or whatever.

1) write down the e-mail + password for W10 login (for install)

2) write down names of PROGRAMS you'll wish to reinstall (it's easier when you can look at the current setup)

3) shut down and UNHOOK both cables from back of HDD

4) hook up SSD then install Windows, drivers etc

5) shut down and hook HDD back up... if system boots to the HDD then boot into the BIOS to change boot order so SSD is the first drive

6) copy over any files you want to the SSD

7) if you wish to keep Steam games on HDD you can do this:
a) install Steam again, login
b) create a new folder (Steam library...) that will be for the HDD (i.e. "E:\STEAM")
c) cut and paste the "Steamapps" folder on the HDD (will sit in this folder originally though root drive changes: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam )

d) restart Steam and it should recognize the games
e) verify each game's local content (may not be necessary)
f) copy SAVE GAMES if no cloud backup from HDD to same folder on SSD (usually in "Documents" somewhere but usually Google helps tell you)

8) Make other folders if needed (i.e. "Videos")

9) if certain you got everything (no big rush) then DELETE all folders except the ones you just made such as E:\Steam

10) Finally, when Windows, drivers, programs etc are all sorted out nicely make a BACKUP IMAGE of the SSD and save it on your HDD (i.e. E:\W10AcronisImage)

I use Acronis Image (paid) for automatic though a free version exists if you have a WD drive (manual backup), Discwizard for Seagate or other programs.