Question Deleting partition/system files where OS is installed but keep the files in 2nd partition

[codemilly]

Hi y'all. I'm planning to install Windows 10 on my old PC using a new SSD. The thing is the old PC's boot drive is using an HDD.

The HDD has '2' partitions. 1st partition is for the OS and 2nd is for the storage.

I want to keep the files from the 2nd partition but delete only the OS files from the 1st partition of the HDD where the OS is installed and install windows 10 on the new SSD.

How can I do this?

 

[BFG-9000]

Install Windows when only the SSD is connected. Once it's installed, connect the HDD also and make sure the BIOS is set to boot from the SSD.

Once you are in Windows you can use Disk Management to format the unwanted partition

 

[Lafong]

Hi y'all. I'm planning to install Windows 10 on my old PC using a new SSD. The thing is the old PC's boot drive is using an HDD.

The HDD has '2' partitions. 1st partition is for the OS and 2nd is for the storage.

I want to keep the files from the 2nd partition but delete only the OS files from the 1st partition of the HDD where the OS is installed and install windows 10 on the new SSD.

How can I do this?

Install Windows 10 to the new drive WITH THE OLD DRIVE DISCONNECTED

Confirm that it boots OK with ONLY the new drive connected.

Re-connect the old drive and reboot under the new operating system on the new drive.

The old boot partition should appear as something other than C, maybe D or E.

Delete or re-format the old boot partition.

Do as you wish with the newly freed space on the old drive.