Question Re-installing Windows to a new SSD

[pierreandré]

So I recently got this SSD (120gb) for my PC upgrade which is where I plan to reinstall my OS. However, is it possible to install windows on this ssd and clean/reformat the old HDD without using a bootable flashdrive? I'm planning on getting the os on Windows Media Creation Tool. Thanks!

 

[helpstar]

Why not using a boot able flash drive?
You can start the installation within the old windows installation and use the ssd as boot drive

 

[scout_03]

made sure this is not a oem windows or you wiil have to contact micosoft and use the usb processeithout the hdd in system even after first boot from ssd .

 

[USAFRet]

So I recently got this SSD (120gb) for my PC upgrade which is where I plan to reinstall my OS. However, is it possible to install windows on this ssd and clean/reformat the old HDD without using a bootable flashdrive? I'm planning on getting the os on Windows Media Creation Tool. Thanks!

You really really need to use a flash drive. 8GB or larger.

Any other way is far more work than it needs to be.

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

 

[The Electro Machine]

I had the same task to performed; thus:

1] On a new drive I installed Windows from scratch

2] I made an image of my old system using Acronis True Image from Hiren’s BootCD PE x64 1.0.1

3] From that backup image file I overwritten the new system with old one using Acronis

4] I disconnected the old drive

5] I booted up from the old system on the new drives

6] A couple days later plugged the old drive when already being in the [old] system [on the new drive] and formatted the old drive

 

[USAFRet]

I had the same task to performed; thus:

How is all that no different than just a simple clone from old drive to new?

 

[The Electro Machine]

How is all that no different that
[...]

The new drive apparently lacked those instructions that make it a system drive

Maybe I did something wrong back then [when creating a backup / image], but it was like this: I was not able to clone my Windows 10 system and thus had to install Windows 7 on the new drive first