Question Windows on m.2 ssd

[cwjacare]

so i want to install windows on my ssd m.2 and i already have windows on my hdd. what should i do first in order to isntall it on the ssd?
do i need to unplug the hhd from the motherboard so i can isntall windows on ssd?
im so confused, someone help
Thx

 

[mdd1963]

A clean/fresh install of everything works out best, IMO....(I'd just disconnect the old one until your are finished....; fewest chances for mistakes/glitches); cloning is possible, but, there are often NVME driver complications that prevent the classic clone and reboot dream scenario migration, so...try a fresh install...

On the positive side, installing Windows to an M.2 NVME from USB install media takes about 4-5 minutes, tops...; I was awestruck that the install was almost done in the amount of time it took me to pour a cup of coffee, and add milk and sugar....

 

[cwjacare]

A clean/fresh install of everything works out best, IMO....(I'd just disconnect the old one until your are finished....; fewest chances for mistakes/glitches); cloning is possible, but, there are often NVME driver complications that prevent the classic clone and reboot dream scenario migration, so...try a fresh install...

On the positive side, installing Windows to an M.2 NVME from USB install media takes about 4-5 minutes, tops...; I was awestruck that the install was almost done in the amount of time it took me to pour a cup of coffee, and add milk and sugar....

yha i wanna do a fresh instart, so i gotta disconnect the hdd that i currently am using, install on the ssd, then format the hdd so i can have evrything from clean right?

 

[cwjacare]

yha i wanna do a fresh instart, so i gotta disconnect the hdd that i currently am using, install on the ssd, then format the hdd so i can have evrything from clean right?

sry i dont rly understand about pc's and all, do i just unplug the cable on the hhd or do i actually need to unplug it from the motherboard aswell?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, disconnect the cables from the old drive.
Then:

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

What actual parts do you have? Specific make/model, please.

 

[cwjacare]

Yes, disconnect the cables from the old drive.
Then:

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

What actual parts do you have? Specific make/model, please.

i5-7600k
gtx 1050 ti 4gb
asus b250-plus
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZRZ-00HTKB0 (SATA )
and recently bought m.2 ssd 970 evo to install the windows on it

 

[USAFRet]

i5-7600k
gtx 1050 ti 4gb
asus b250-plus
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZRZ-00HTKB0 (SATA )
and recently bought m.2 ssd 970 evo to install the windows on it

OK. Just checking to verify compatibility.

 

[cwjacare]

OK. Just checking to verify compatibility.

oh i got the compatibility down so dont worry , but thanks, just wanted to know if i had to unplug the old hdd to isntall windows on the new ssd

 

[cwjacare]

one more question, when i have the windows on the ssd, how to i format the hdd?
do i just start the pc with both drivers and then format it? or do i have to start the pc only with the hhd

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, unplug the old drive during this install.

Is there anything on that drive you wish to keep?

 

[cwjacare]

Yes, unplug the old drive during this install.

Is there anything on that drive you wish to keep?

nah i want a fresh hhd

 

[elzmood]

one more question, when i have the windows on the ssd, how to i format the hdd?
do i just start the pc with both drivers and then format it? or do i have to start the pc only with the hhd

when you've done instal new windows on new ssd, just right click on (drive) in windows explorer, and click format. dont forget to backup your important file on drive system on you old hdd.

erverything is ok when you want to instal windows for any drive on your storage, you dont need to unplug any storage, you just need to know what is right drive when instalation begin in selecting drive part.

 

[USAFRet]

when you've done instal new windows on new ssd, just right click on (drive) in windows explorer, and click format. dont forget to backup your important file on drive system on you old hdd.

erverything is ok when you want to instal windows for any drive on your storage, you dont need to unplug any storage, you just need to know what is right drive when instalation begin in selecting drive part.

Sorry, but wrong and wrong.

On the old drive, a simple "format" in File Explorer isn't enough. That leaves behind the original boot partition.
You need to get rid of ALL partitions on that old drive. Disk Management, or commandline diskpart function.

As for installing Windows, you really really need to have only the desired drive connected. Windows has a silly/nasty habit of installing the boot partition on 'the other drive' if still connected. Remove that later, and no boot for you.
It also absolutely prevents a mistake. "Oops, I installed to the wrong drive". See that here all the time.

 

[elzmood]

i try same thing with 2 hdd but not ssd,
it works on windows 7. and the old system i just format it from explorer.
but i dont know if its wrong on other OS. and for boot partition i just need to remove old boot partition on system configuration.
and about "silly/nasty habit of installing the boot partition " it is new knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[USAFRet]

i try same thing with 2 hdd but not ssd,
it works on windows 7. and the old system i just format it from explorer.
but i dont know if its wrong on other OS. and for boot partition i just need to remove old boot partition on system configuration.
and about "silly/nasty habit of installing the boot partition " it is new knowledge for me. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Again, formatting in File Explorer just formats the partition you see in there. It does nothing for the boot partition you don't see.