[SOLVED] Reinstalling windows

[jm247]

Hi,

I'm just about to install a new motherboard (I've had persistent pc issues for a while and I'm pretty sure it was my old motherboard so I've got a replacement - and it's a different model from the old).

I've read that I need to backup all my files because when I reinstall windows it will wipe everything - but I wondered if this would work instead? (I don't think I have a spare hdd with enough space to backup anyway).

In my pc I have a hdd and a ssd, if I put everything on my hdd and leave that unplugged, then reinstall windows on my ssd, that should work right? And I can then just plug the hdd back in, keeping all my old files without having to back anything up?

Also, if I'm keeping all my old files, including the old windows files, will that run into problems when I've reinstalled windows?

Thanks a lot for any help
James

 

[PC Tailor]

if I put everything on my hdd and leave that unplugged, then reinstall windows on my ssd, that should work right?

This is basically what a backup IS.

Also, if I'm keeping all my old files, including the old windows files, will that run into problems when I've reinstalled windows?

Likely not, unless those files contain malware for example. Drivers and executable software will be linked and booting with your new C 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

 

[Colif]

Did you link your windows account to an email address before the change?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Also, if I'm keeping all my old files, including the old windows files, will that run into problems when I've reinstalled windows?

just make sure the hdd isn't included in the boot order of the bios on motherboard as since it still has a boot partition, there is always the off chance ssd doesn't work one day and you suddenly find yourself in a windows that seems older & slower than it was before

 

[jm247]

This is basically what a backup IS.


Likely not, unless those files contain malware for example. Drivers and executable software will be linked and booting with your new C 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

Oh ok thanks that makes sense

 

[jm247]

Did you link your windows account to an email address before the change?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change


just make sure the hdd isn't included in the boot order of the bios on motherboard as since it still has a boot partition, there is always the off chance ssd doesn't work one day and you suddenly find yourself in a windows that seems older & slower than it was before

I'm not sure if it's linked but i'll check before I do the install thanks