Question Question about upgrading boot drive to SSD

[Lv 88 Mog]

Hi! I have a simple question - I am using a 2TB HDD with 32GB SSD hybrid drive as my boot drive (C) as it came stock with my Dell desktop years ago. I have upgraded nearly every component since except for the original HDD and motherboard (I’ve added a couple extra HDDs for storage though).

Now, I want to upgrade to a 1TB Kyoxia SSD for my boot drive and want to just fresh install Windows 10 on it. However, I want to keep my old HDD as another storage drive and continue using it. Can I just switch the boot drive to SSD in BIOS, fresh install Windows, then plug my old HDD into a different port, delete all Windows files from it, and leave everything else the same? Or will this cause conflict? Do I need to completely format the old HDD to use it as storage?

i’ve got a lot of files on the old drive that I want to keep and don’t want to go to the trouble of transferring to a different drive, so I’d rather just delete Windows folder and plug into a different port and use as-is if possible.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[zinkles]

not just the windows folder you'll have to delete many more. you can do this though. you can delete the windows folder and any/all other system folder/file you come across, to prevent it booting from that drive. what would be easier is to move your files into another folder on the same drive or move it out of that drive and wipe it. (saves time and effort)

it shouldn't conflict with the other drive once you've changed the boot order priority to your new drive.

you will have a problem though, if you wanna use those files, they will be stored deep in folders, (eg; if a file is in the downloads folder, it will be in Users/%username%/Downloads). If you're fine going through all those folders to find your file, then yea, you technically can delete every single system folder manually and use the drive as storage.

it would be much easier to transfer the data out and then wipe it.

 

[USAFRet]

i’ve got a lot of files on the old drive that I want to keep and don’t want to go to the trouble of transferring to a different drive, so I’d rather just delete Windows folder and plug into a different port and use as-is if possible.

No, you NEED to move your personal files off to some other drive first.

1. If those files are in the default Windows Libraries, accessing them from the new OS will be a pain. Those Libs are linked to the original NTFS user, in the old OS.

2. A Windows install is more than just the Windows folder. Boot partition, Program Files folders, Users folders, etc, etc.
Ideally, you want that whole drive blank.

3. The unstated thing here is that it seems you don't have a good backup of the data on the current drive. What happens if something goes wrong during this process?

4. During the new OS install, you have only the new SSD connected. You can't 'change the BIOS boot order' until there is an OS on this new drive.

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

 

[Lv 88 Mog]

not just the windows folder you'll have to delete many more. you can do this though. you can delete the windows folder and any/all other system folder/file you come across, to prevent it booting from that drive. what would be easier is to move your files into another folder on the same drive or move it out of that drive and wipe it. (saves time and effort)

it shouldn't conflict with the other drive once you've changed the boot order priority to your new drive.

you will have a problem though, if you wanna use those files, they will be stored deep in folders, (eg; if a file is in the downloads folder, it will be in Users/%username%/Downloads). If you're fine going through all those folders to find your file, then yea, you technically can delete every single system folder manually and use the drive as storage.

it would be much easier to transfer the data out and then wipe it.

Thanks so much for answering! Yeah, I know about the default windows folders being hard to find as I have had to rescue personal files from dead computers in the past (not MY computer, but friends' and family...so I've dug out the HDDs and sorted through those folders to find them in the past). I just wanted to make sure it was DOABLE, and it appears it is.....BUT as the other person stated, I am now seeing that it might be more effort than necessary! haha

No, you NEED to move your personal files off to some other drive first.

1. If those files are in the default Windows Libraries, accessing them from the new OS will be a pain. Those Libs are linked to the original NTFS user, in the old OS.

2. A Windows install is more than just the Windows folder. Boot partition, Program Files folders, Users folders, etc, etc.
Ideally, you want that whole drive blank.

3. The unstated thing here is that it seems you don't have a good backup of the data on the current drive. What happens if something goes wrong during this process?

4. During the new OS install, you have only the new SSD connected. You can't 'change the BIOS boot order' until there is an OS on this new drive.

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

Thank you SO MUCH for responding with great info!

1. Yeah, I know this....but I kinda would rather sort through folders than transferring hundreds of GBs into a different drive first. Or at least move all my USERS files into the main C: folder before making the new boot drive - since it is an HDD/SSD hybrid, I can move all those files within the drive very quickly, but writing to an external HDD takes MUUUUCH longer.

2. Ok, I see....so I'm starting to see that I should just clean it completely even though it will take forever to transfer those files....

3. Sorry, I totally forgot to mention. NOOOO I'm not that stupid. I have TWO full backups of all my work-related files and personal photos, etc. BUT, I have a gigantic collection of iTunes music files, and video files that I haven't backed up because it is just so huge. I also have a folder that has all the extras for video games (if you buy on GOG or Steam, sometimes you get freebies like soundtracks and whatnot, and so I have a folder that is several hundred GB of that...which I didn't feel the need to back up). So, I'm wanting to save THOSE files. But everything that I REALLY need IS backed up properly.

4. Yeah, that was my plan. Unplug all my other drives, just plug in the SSD and clean install Windows 10. Then plug everything back in after I get things up and running.

Super helpful info, thanks! Yeah, I'm not computer illiterate, I just wanted to know - is it worth the effort of moving those files and wiping it clean, or could I be lazy and just use it as-is. So I guess I will take your advice - spend a couple hours getting those files transferred into one of my extra storage drives, install the OS on my new SDD, wipe clean the old HDD/SDD, and then move everything back onto it.

Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

1. Moving the whole /Users/ folder tree will still carry the permissions and access of the original user. Actually, the Libraries carry that permission, NOT the files within.
So, Copy the files to some other drive, in relevant folders. NOT the actual /Documents, /Pictures, /Videos....

2. Yes, commandline diskpart, and the clean command. Just a "format" within File Explorer leaves behind the original boot partition, etc.

3. GOOD! Far too many people don't do that. And then come here in tears when things go sideways.

is it worth the effort of moving those files and wiping it clean,

Yes. Completely.

 

[Lv 88 Mog]

1. Moving the whole /Users/ folder tree will still carry the permissions and access of the original user. Actually, the Libraries carry that permission, NOT the files within.
So, Copy the files to some other drive, in relevant folders. NOT the actual /Documents, /Pictures, /Videos....

2. Yes, commandline diskpart, and the clean command. Just a "format" within File Explorer leaves behind the original boot partition, etc.

3. GOOD! Far too many people don't do that. And then come here in tears when things go sideways.


Yes. Completely.

1. Yep, like I said - I have experience helping others rescue data from their dead PCs, so I know about this.

2. Ok, I've actually done this before too, but that's good to be reminded! I'll make sure to do that.

3. Yeah, and I was one of those people maybe 20-25 years ago, but the years have brought wisdom. haha

Anyway, you've convinced me on transferring and clean wiping it. Thanks!