Windows Install Hard Drive Wipe

[NineWorlds]

My simple question is going to be straight forward.

* I have two Hard Drives, an SSD - Has windows on it and one game. ( Assassins Creed Unity)
* On my Second Hard Drive, an HDD - I have for storage - has pictures, and around 500gigs of games.

*I'm redoing my PC, and my motherboard is tied to a windows OEM Key, so therefore I cannot keep windows when i switch out my motherboards (I believe?) I've went ahead and purchased another windows key because of this.

1. When i have to install windows on my new system, I know I have to wipe the SSD. Because there is only one game on there, I don't really feel the need to back it up on an Image. Although I don't know if im able to simply keep my HDD as is and not have to back it up and wipe it.

 

[MauveCloud]

It's generally a good idea to back up your data anyway (just in case something happens), but with an SSD+HDD system the standard advice is to install Windows on the SSD with the HDD disconnected, then reconnect it later, and if you do that, the Windows install won't be able to affect the data on the mechanical drive, and you won't be forced to wipe it.

 

[NineWorlds]

When i installed windows on my SSD originally, for the current build I have the HDD was not tampered with windows. It has no windows files on it at all.
So this will allow me to not have to wipe it when I transfer everything to a new build?

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

During installation, Windows will only "wipe" a drive if instructed to do so. However, drive letters may not be as expected, so you can accidentally or unintentionally instruct Windows setup to wipe or install to the wrong drive if you're not paying attention.

MauveCloud's suggestion of unplugging the hard drive for the purposes of installation are not unreasonable if you have any doubts whatsoever. Windows setup obviously can't hurt what it can't access.