I looked at the above link from USAFRet, however if you have not done a CLEAN INSTALL of Windows then i would suggest you do that regardless.
1. Make a W10 Install media if you don't have it:
a) download the Microsoft media creation tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
b) run it
c) make sure it's downloading the proper version (i.e. W10 Home 64-bit if applicable)... if it hassles you because you have W10 already you can choose "OTHER PC" option
d) finish creating the DVD or USB thumb drive method
2) backup all data, write down programs to reinstall etc.
*It might be a good time to get an SSD. If you do so you can install to the SSD without messing with the hard drive (then copy files over later and eventually format the drive).
If you have games on STEAM then you can also reinstall Steam (to C-drive) and create a Steam folder on the HDD. As long as you keep the "Steamapps" folder you can move that back over to the new Steam install folder (you can have one folder per drive such as "E:\Steam2".
Game saves are usually in Documents, My Documents, or saved in the Steam Cloud. When I do a clean install I copy game saves over one at a time (don't just overwrite the entire Documents folder).
3) Attach SSD, then test it to confirm it works.
4) Shut down and unhook HDD (only SSD for W10 install now).
5) If you have Secure Boot for UEFI then make sure that is enabled (usually by disabling CSM, the Compatibility Support Module for legacy compatibility).
*If you think you may have Secure Boot enabled already then Google for how to test via the Command Prompt.
It's a good feature to have enabled as it presents boot-time malware attacks. You can't enable this in the UEFI/BIOS once Windows is installed.
6) Start W10 install.
7) **IMPORTANT**
Skip any requests for a key. It will auto-activate.
8) Finish install. Finish MS Updates.
9) Add drivers and motherboard software such as fan control (only if certain they are correct). If in doubt do NOT install anything as you can always do that later.
10) Install antivirus software, and then programs on your LIST that you made before. (just FYI, but I like K-Lite Standard for videos, and Faststone for pictures).
11) Shut down, then attach HDD.
*If it boots to the HDD (which still has the old Windows on it likely) change the BIOS' boot order so it boots to the SSD.
12) Steam-> again, if you have this:
a) Steam to C-drive (default install), then login
b) Create a Steam folder on HDD (i.e. E:\Steam2)
c) move Steam folder to the HDD folder if applicable
d) Verify a game's local content in Steam before starting
e) Save game-> first start game (to see if Cloud save). If no cloud save then find in Documents old, then move to new folder.
13) BACKUP C-DRIVE as an IMAGE!!!
- Acronis True Image or similar program.
*One of the most important things you can do. I suggest keeping the backup indefinitely, then make a second backup that you DO replace periodically (I use the full version so it's automated weekly, but if I need to I'll go back to the image I originally made to save a lot of hassle reinstalling everything.).
14) DELETE all folders not needed from the hard drive. (like the old Windows installation) but be certain you got everything you need.
*if it's possible then do a FULL FORMAT on the hard drive. Usually it's not due to backup files. This rebuilds the bad sector table so is a good idea for an older drive.
Summary:
You may not be planning to reinstall Windows, but if so plan it out carefully.
I probably forgot something or made a mistake, but the most important thing is to not delete anything you may need.
Sometimes you get errors that aren't easily fixed aside from a clean install.
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