Formatting Storage HDD but not Boot SSD

[ZMOT7S]

Little back story... I ran revo unistaller and it recommended to clean up a bunch of files for me. It then started deleting a lot of data files and important stuff for a few games and programs. As far as I can tell only my storage drive (HDD) was affected, not my boot drive (SSD.) It's too many to try and fix and there are so many leftover files now from canceling the cleanup that I just want to format my HDD and start fresh.

My question is will my boot SSD still function properly when I format the HDD? I have Steam installed on the SSD but I install the games on the HDD. I think there maybe some reg files on the SSD that would point to the HDD. Would this cause any problems?

 

[chesteracorgi]

Because you do not know whether and what files point to the HDD it is not possible to say definitively. I would do the following in your situation: back up the system (you may need another HDD or USB storage or burn a new CD/DVD. If you have an external device with sufficient sotrage I would back up no only the system but all of the storage on the HDD. BTW, I recommend that you back up the current HDD in any event, but there are considerations of cost.

Next: reformat the HDD. Then try to reboot. If your system hangs or there is a failure, then restore the old system with the backup. Then you have to go through the process one file by one file.

Oh, one more thought: when did you last backup your system and data? If you have a good backup then you can undo the damage by the revo uninstaller.

 

[ZMOT7S]

Because you do not know whether and what files point to the HDD it is not possible to say definitively. I would do the following in your situation: back up the system (you may need another HDD or USB storage or burn a new CD/DVD. If you have an external device with sufficient sotrage I would back up no only the system but all of the storage on the HDD. BTW, I recommend that you back up the current HDD in any event, but there are considerations of cost.

Next: reformat the HDD. Then try to reboot. If your system hangs or there is a failure, then restore the old system with the backup. Then you have to go through the process one file by one file.

Oh, one more thought: when did you last backup your system and data? If you have a good backup then you can undo the damage by the revo uninstaller.

I appreciate you trying to save my files and stuff but there is no need. I have nothing important really on my gaming PC except games and their saves. I can do without honestly. I do plan to copy some of my saves and stuff over on an external HDD. I don't think I need to backup my OS SSD. If anything happens I'll just reinstall Windows. I'm just trying to save myself some time/work by having to format both drives and reinstall Windows.

The strange thing is, I create a system restore every week. Also, Revo Uninstaller created a system restore as well. When I tried to use either one of these, my PC would restart to begin the restore then boot up and say it failed, suggesting I disable my anti virus. I disabled Bit Defender and had the same problem....