Upgrading OS first time SSD

[naala]

I'm thinking of upgrading from Win 7 to Win 8.1.

It's been years since I built my computer and I've sadly not kept up with the how-to's of things.

I have a SSD as my C drive with my OS and some programs that I won't miss or can re-install and a HDD for file storage. My SSD has been getting bloated by who knows what, so I'd be fine with doing a clean install of the new OS and wiping that drive clean to start over...but I don't want my HDD to be touched. Is this possible?

 

[glamdringfh]

Hi naala,

Yes, that is very possible and quite a straight-forward process.

The steps will be:

*You'll need to have bought the Windows 8.1 Key+ Installer (either will be a DVD or USB stick) before starting the steps below

- Make sure you have backed up up all data from the SSD that you want to keep
- Insert your Windows 8 installer media, but don't actually run anything yet, just close any auto-start options that open up.
- Turn off your PC and physically unlplug your HDD drive
- Turn on your PC and boot to your Windows 8 installer (DVD or USB)
- Choose to install Windows 8 to your SSD drive (your drive will automatically be re-formatted)
- After the install is complete remove the install media and turn off the PC
- Physically re-attach your HDD drive
- Turn you PC back on and make sure the HDD drive shows up under 'My Computer'

That's it!

 

[naala]

Hi naala,

Yes, that is very possible and quite a straight-forward process.

The steps will be:

*You'll need to have bought the Windows 8.1 Key+ Installer (either will be a DVD or USB stick) before starting the steps below

- Make sure you have backed up up all data from the SSD that you want to keep
- Insert your Windows 8 installer media, but don't actually run anything yet, just close any auto-start options that open up.
- Turn off your PC and physically unlplug your HDD drive
- Turn on your PC and boot to your Windows 8 installer (DVD or USB)
- Choose to install Windows 8 to your SSD drive (your drive will automatically be re-formatted)
- After the install is complete remove the install media and turn off the PC
- Physically re-attach your HDD drive
- Turn you PC back on and make sure the HDD drive shows up under 'My Computer'

That's it!

Thank you so much!
Will I have to do anything in my BIOS again for my SSD/HDD setup? It's been a long time and I remember I had some issues for a while with adjusting my settings...

 

[glamdringfh]

No problem, and as long as you are keeping the same motherboard you shouldn't need to adjust your current BIOS.