Reseting Windows 10 to a different hardrive

[MattBundas21]

I just got an SSD for my Windows 10 PC and wanted to do a full reset of my computer. I tried using the Windows 10 "Reset this PC" feature hoping that it would install on my SSD, but it installed on my old hard drive. Is there a way I could do the reset again and have it install on my SSD or do I have to move my Windows over a different way?

 

[Ubrales]

A good way to do this is to clone the drive that has Windows 10 over to the SSD. There are quite a few free cloning programs - EaseUS, Macrium Reflect, etc.

 

[MattBundas21]

So I cloned it and now have windows on my SSD and old hard drive. I went to delete everything off my old hard drive and it stopped me saying I need permission. Do I even need to delete it off my old hard drive?

 

[Ubrales]

So I cloned it and now have windows on my SSD and old hard drive. I went to delete everything off my old hard drive and it stopped me saying I need permission. Do I even need to delete it off my old hard drive?

Yes you need to delete the OS from the old disk. If you do not need stuff from your old disk, just format it NTFS. Formatting will delete everything. Be careful and format the correct disk (old disk).

 

[MattBundas21]

When I go to format it, it says that I can't because the disk has the version of windows that I'm using. Thanks for all the help by the way and sorry if I'm being dumb.

 

[Ubrales]

When I go to format it, it says that I can't because the disk has the version of windows that I'm using. Thanks for all the help by the way and sorry if I'm being dumb.

Just remove the old disk from your computer. Then start the computer and after the computer is running, turn OFF AutoRun. Then connect the the old disk and format it. I don't like Autorun on any of my computers.

 

[MattBundas21]

Thank you so much. It appears to all be working now, saved me from so much rage

 

[Ubrales]

Thank you so much. It appears to all be working now, saved me from so much rage

One final and very important note - Make regular and frequent backups to an external disk.