Removing Windows From Old Boot Drive

[jauer]

I ran into a problem with trying to boot off my new SSD alongside having my HDD in my computer at the same time - while the HDD was in, the SSD wasn't recognised. What I was going to do was remove the HDD's bootability by deleting Windows. How I had planned to do it was by simply deleting everything on the drive other than the applications and files. Is it more complicated than this, or should that work?

 

[USAFRet]

I ran into a problem with trying to boot off my new SSD alongside having my HDD in my computer at the same time - while the HDD was in, the SSD wasn't recognised. What I was going to do was remove the HDD's bootability by deleting Windows. How I had planned to do it was by simply deleting everything on the drive other than the applications and files. Is it more complicated than this, or should that work?

Yes, it a little more complicated.
The applications on that drive are of no use. You have a new OS on the other drive, and it knows nothing about them.
Just "deleting Windows" is not enough either. This leaves behind the original boot partition.

You need to copy all your personal files off that drive, open Disk Management, and delete ALL partitions on it.
Leaving one blank space.
Format that, and then proceed on.


However...before you delete ANYTHING, test.

Disconnect ALL drives except your new boot drive.
Power up.
Does it boot properly?
If so, then you can proceed on to deleting all from the old drive.

 

[SkyNetRising]

It depends on, what else is on that HDD.
If bootloader is located on HDD and not on SSD, then your system will not boot, if you delete everything from HDD.

What SSD is that btw? M.2 nvme? M.2 sata? 2.5" sata?
Can you post screenshot from Disk Management?

 

[jauer]

I ran into a problem with trying to boot off my new SSD alongside having my HDD in my computer at the same time - while the HDD was in, the SSD wasn't recognised. What I was going to do was remove the HDD's bootability by deleting Windows. How I had planned to do it was by simply deleting everything on the drive other than the applications and files. Is it more complicated than this, or should that work?

Yes, it a little more complicated.
The applications on that drive are of no use. You have a new OS on the other drive, and it knows nothing about them.
Just "deleting Windows" is not enough either. This leaves behind the original boot partition.

You need to copy all your personal files off that drive, open Disk Management, and delete ALL partitions on it.
Leaving one blank space.
Format that, and then proceed on.


However...before you delete ANYTHING, test.

Disconnect ALL drives except your new boot drive.
Power up.
Does it boot properly?
If so, then you can proceed on to deleting all from the old drive.

Sorry there's a part I forgot to mention. I had previously been using the HDD as extra storage alongside the SSD for a few weeks before. To be honest I can't remember when it changed, although I don't remember making any changes to the rig. Therefore maybe the part about the other drive not knowing anything about them might not apply. Does this make a difference? And yes, it does boot with only the new SSD.

 

[jauer]

It depends on, what else is on that HDD.
If bootloader is located on HDD and not on SSD, then your system will not boot, if you delete everything from HDD.

What SSD is that btw? M.2 nvme? M.2 sata? 2.5" sata?
Can you post screenshot from Disk Management?

I had the bootloader on both drives, although I deleted the one on the old HDD (just now). So now it's just on the SSD. The SSD is 2.5" SATA.

 

[USAFRet]

Sorry there's a part I forgot to mention. I had previously been using the HDD as extra storage alongside the SSD for a few weeks before. To be honest I can't remember when it changed, although I don't remember making any changes to the rig. Therefore maybe the part about the other drive not knowing anything about them might not apply. Does this make a difference? And yes, it does boot with only the new SSD.

So there's no "applications" on this drive.
OK, no problem, stillt he same prrocess.

Copy everything off that drive you want.
Delete ALL the partitions on it, leaving one blank space.
Format, etc.
Copy your stuff back.

 

[jauer]

Sorry there's a part I forgot to mention. I had previously been using the HDD as extra storage alongside the SSD for a few weeks before. To be honest I can't remember when it changed, although I don't remember making any changes to the rig. Therefore maybe the part about the other drive not knowing anything about them might not apply. Does this make a difference? And yes, it does boot with only the new SSD.

So there's no "applications" on this drive.
OK, no problem, stillt he same prrocess.

Copy everything off that drive you want.
Delete ALL the partitions on it, leaving one blank space.
Format, etc.
Copy your stuff back.

There are applications on the drive, but ones which have already been used while the HDD worked fine alongside the SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

There are applications on the drive, but ones which have already been used while the HDD worked fine alongside the SSD.

Generally, applications do not run well, or at all, in a situation like this.
Some do, however. It seems you've found a few of those.

Makes no difference though. If you want to use that drive to its full potential...full wipe of that entire drive is in order.