Upgrading my mobo and cpu. Do I need to format my other drives as well as reinstalling windows?

[jokkejok123]

Potentially a dumb question, but as far my research has gotten, I need to reinstall/reactivate windows after the upgrade, but my setup has 2 SSDs and a HDD. Will they need to be backed up and formatted or can I just transition seamlessly with them? Have a lot of stuff especially on the HDD, so would prefer not having to reinstall it all

 

[USAFRet]

For your secondary dives, you do NOT have to reformat them. In fact, they need to be disconnected while you install the OS on the primary SSD.

How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10


For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

 

[jokkejok123]

For your secondary dives, you do NOT have to reformat them. In fact, they need to be disconnected while you install the OS on the primary SSD.

How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10


For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

But the primary drive should be formatted?

 

[USAFRet]

But the primary drive should be formatted?

Yes. That happens during the OS install, once you have the new system built up.

From the above link, Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to deleting all existing partitions on that drive, and installing to the blank drive.

 

[jokkejok123]

But the primary drive should be formatted?

Yes. That happens during the OS install, once you have the new system built up.

From the above link, Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to deleting all existing partitions on that drive, and installing to the blank drive.

Ok, thanks for the assistance