[SOLVED] Will I need to reset my computer after building

[Hamez23]

Hi all, thanks for all the help so far just got a couple more questions.

I'm building the pic on Wednesday using this parts list : https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/tR2Wj2 (case might change I still haven't decided)

For the PC everything will be new except the HDD. On this HDD I have everything - i.e. windows, my games, my files etc. When I build my new PC am I ok to use this HDD and everything on it from the get go? Will it matter that I have drivers downloaded for my current 750ti or are these not stored in the HDD?

I have seen people recommend doing this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10startfresh

Does that mean once I've built the PC, I should do that? Then once this fresh install is done, I just download drivers for my GPU?

Will I be able to move the OS onto my m.2 SSD instead of keeping it on my HDD?

Thanks
James

 

[USAFRet]

everything will be new except the HDD

Full wipe and reinstall of the OS, and everything on that drive.
OS, drivers, applications...

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

Also,
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
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/windows-build-1607-and-activation.2786960/

 

[kanewolf]

Hi all, thanks for all the help so far just got a couple more questions.

I'm building the pic on Wednesday using this parts list : https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/tR2Wj2 (case might change I still haven't decided)

For the PC everything will be new except the HDD. On this HDD I have everything - i.e. windows, my games, my files etc. When I build my new PC am I ok to use this HDD and everything on it from the get go? Will it matter that I have drivers downloaded for my current 750ti or are these not stored in the HDD?

I have seen people recommend doing this: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10startfresh

Does that mean once I've built the PC, I should do that? Then once this fresh install is done, I just download drivers for my GPU?

Will I be able to move the OS onto my m.2 SSD instead of keeping it on my HDD?

Thanks
James

A motherboard change is always best with a clean OS install. You have an NVMe SSD in your parts list. You should do a clean OS install on that. You can use your existing HDD for data. Your stream games and saved games can be used as is. Many other applications will require a reinstall.

 

[Hamez23]

Full wipe and reinstall of the OS, and everything on that drive.
OS, drivers, applications...

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

Also,
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
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/windows-build-1607-and-activation.2786960/

Hi,

Thanks for that very helpful tutorial. I am a bit confused however, as if I follow the steps and (during building) leave out connecting the HDD and install the OS onto the SSD, what will happen when I then shut down once its all installed and connect the HDD? Will I need to somehow wipe my HDD before I do that?

Using a USB to do the windows install, is it better to use a USB 2.0 or 3.0?

Is it likely that during the process it will make me purchase a new version of Microsoft?

Also just to make sure, I won't need to change anything in the bios right because I'm installing to something that's never had anything on it?

Do the USB's need to be any specific format? (like FAT32 etc?)

Sorry for the hail of questions

 

[USAFRet]

For the HDD, you don't have to wipe it beforehand.
Ideally, what you do is save anything from that drive before you start this process. Save it off to some other location.
Later, when you reconnect the HDD, wipe it fully clean.

USB 2.0, 3.0...no real difference. Unless the system does not want to boot from a 3.0 port. Some have issues there.

The MediaCreation tool does all the formatting of the USB. You don't need to do anything special with it.

 

[Hamez23]

For the HDD, you don't have to wipe it beforehand.
Ideally, what you do is save anything from that drive before you start this process. Save it off to some other location.
Later, when you reconnect the HDD, wipe it fully clean.

USB 2.0, 3.0...no real difference. Unless the system does not want to boot from a 3.0 port. Some have issues there.

The MediaCreation tool does all the formatting of the USB. You don't need to do anything special with it.

Ok, so would this work?

1. Build the PC, leaving out the HDD, just having the m.2 ssd installed (never before used).
2. Before powering on, plug in the USB with the windows stuff from the tutorial.
3. Power PC on without going into BIOS when it turns on,
4. PC will go past "POST"(?) before coming up with a windows install screen, I just follow prompts and sign in when it tells me to sign in using my linked Microsoft account
5. Windows will install
6. Windows launches to home screen
7. Then I'm a bit confused as to what to do after that

Also does it matter that this PC was a pre built? They put the windows on it.

 

[USAFRet]

7+....

Assuming the OS installed on the M.2 properly, then you just move on to any hardware drivers you need.
Then, your applications.