[SOLVED] Setting up Windows 10 with HDD

[Factorise]

I'm going to be building my own PC shortly, however am still unaware how I will install Windows. I'm going to be re-using my HDD from my current PC, that already has Windows 10 on it (I believe so anyway). Additionally, I also have the Activation Key on hand also.

My question is, am I able to install Windows with this HDD, or do I need to buy a new boot drive for it? If I can use the HDD, it is a matter of just connecting it and moving on or what? (Apologies this is going to be my first build, so I'm still unaware of these things)

Any help would be greatly appreciated 😀

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, you can use your current hard drive.
Read through here a time or two to get familiar with the process.

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]

My question is, am I able to install Windows with this HDD, or do I need to buy a new boot drive for it? If I can use the HDD, it is a matter of just connecting it and moving on or what? (Apologies this is going to be my first build, so I'm still unaware of these things)

You can use the hard drive you have now.
You are best installing win 10 again to remove old drivers and get benefit of the newer hardware.
can you go to settings/update & security/activation
What shows next to Activated by line?

You don't need to use your key to reinstall win 10, you can link it to a Email account and use that account as user on new PC so that by running a troubelshooter after install, can move the old licence to new PC. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

follow this guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

 

[Factorise]

You can use the hard drive you have now.
You are best installing win 10 again to remove old drivers and get benefit of the newer hardware.
can you go to settings/update & security/activation
What shows next to Activated by line?

You don't need to use your key to reinstall win 10, you can link it to a Email account and use that account as user on new PC so that by running a troubelshooter after install, can move the old licence to new PC. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

follow this guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

Yeah under Activation it says that it is linked with my email. After reading it should be alright.

Lastly, I've also bought an SSD for this new PC, so could I disconnect the current HDD that's got Windows 10 currently downloaded, and have a clean installation for the SSD, activate it and then connect the HDD? Or will there be conflict with Windows 10 downloaded to the HDD?

Also, thank you so much for your help, it is greatly appreciated. 😀

 

[Colif]

Lastly, I've also bought an SSD for this new PC, so could I disconnect the current HDD that's got Windows 10 currently downloaded, and have a clean installation for the SSD, activate it and then connect the HDD? Or will there be conflict with Windows 10 downloaded to the HDD?

that should be okay.
Only have ssd attached when you install, leave hdd out of pc until it boots right
When you add hdd again, go into bios/boot order and make sure hdd isn't included in list.

eventually you might want to delete the old hdd contents. best way is via diskpart.
go to settings/update & security/recovery
under advanced startup, click restart now
PC restarts into a blue menu
Pick troubleshoot
Pick advanced
Pick Command Prompt
Type diskpart and press enter
Type list disk and press enter
This will show the list of drives currently attached to PC, make note of the drive number of the drive you want to wipe

If Disk 1 is the drive you want to clear, type select 1) and press enter. A message will confirm it is selected

Warning: Diskpart Erase/Clean will permanently erase/destroy all data on the selected drive. Please be certain that you are erasing the correct disk.

Once you sure its right disk, type Clean and press enter

The Command Prompt window will display the message "DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk". Close out of the Command Prompt window by clicking the red X in the upper right hand corner.

restart PC. You will need to format hdd afterwards as its currently blank and has no partitions on it.