How do I clean install Windows 10 on a new SSD while wiping the previously operating HDD and using it as storage?

Hi Galarex. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP here to help you.

Follow the illustrated steps here for doing the best possible Clean Install which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure to unplug the other hard drive during install so it doesn't interfere. If you cannot unplug it then during the booted install when you delete all partitions on the target drive, also do so on the secondary drive so that it cannot interfere, then pay close attention that you are selecting Next on the target drive only - this creates and formats the needed partitions and begins install, making it foolproof.

If you can unplug the hard drive, then after install plug it back in to delete all partitions and reformat in Disk Management, or using this guide: https://techjourney.net/delete-and-remove-prote...

To create Windows 10 Installation Media (if necessary on another PC) install the Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key here: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, skip the Product Key screen and choose your licensed version only if offered. On second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Please read the tutorial for Clean install so you know the process, then ask back any questions: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial. It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

If you cannot unplug the hard drive during install to the SSD, then After booting into the media, during the Custom install when it shows the drives, you'll be able to figure out which disk (likely disk 0 or disk 1) is the SSD and the hard drive by the sizes and partitioning. Choose each partition one by one to Delete it until it becomes Unallocated Space. After you've done this on all partitions it will have two disks each with all Unallocated Space. Choose the SSD's Unallocated Space and click next, which will create and format the needed partitions and begin install.

After install you can go into Disk management to format the hard drive for storage of files and a System Image backup of the SSD as shown in the tutorial.  Here's  How to partition and format your hard drive in Windows

Do you really want to do a clean install? You can, if you want to, but you don't have to.

You can do a clean install if you want to take your new SSD as an opportunity to start over. Otherwise, you should take advantage of the image backup software that comes with your SSD to simply copy the contents of the HDD to the SSD. Won't take long, perhaps half an hour, and you'll have an exact copy of your HDD on the SSD. Then, just plug in the SSD where the HDD used to be and you're done.

On the other hand, if you're set on doing a clean install you should know that there are many approaches you can take. Different people have their own method for a clean install.  You'll probably end up incorporating different procedures in your clean install, which is fine. After all, it's your clean install.

My approach to a clean install is to be thoroughly prepared. You won't get that from a community forum. There's a lot of research that you can do on the internet, and you should take advantage of all that good information. Your goal is no surprises - by the time you're ready to start you should know exactly what will happen and what you will do.

• Make a thorough list of all your procedures in the order they will be performed.
• Assemble all the software you will need in advance.
• Assemble all the information you'll need (licenses, instructions, what gets installed first) in advance.
• Disconnect everything from your computer before you start, except for a keyboard and mouse. Ab old-school wired USB mouse and keyboard will do best.
• Disconnect from the internet before you start.

I'm sure you'll get tips from other people as well. Just remember - there isn't only one way.

All you have to do with your old HDD is to format it. Won't take long. If you were previously carrying government secrets or you suspect that agents from a foreign state are out to get you, it may be wise to more thoroughly erase your HDD. Otherwise use the time saved for NetFlix.

disconnect the existing hdd

boot off the installer

custom install

choose your windows edition

choose the empty drive & install into it

the installer will automatically make partitions, format them and install - skip entering any keys and it should automatically activate once online

Thanks for the responce. So the way understand, I plug the usb with the windows installer into the computer, and turn it on with *both* the ssd and hard drive connected? I press F8 to get the boot memue up, and then I select custom install or whatever the term is, and delete *all* partitions there? Then I continue with the standard Windows installation? I’m still a bit confused as to when I select the ssd as my primary operating drive, and when the old hard drive gets wiped. I dont need any old information, I just want to revert everything back to facotry settings and have it run off the new ssd. And one other question I had was in regards to other drivers. I’ve read that I may need to download other drivers, such as the latest graphics card drivers, or others. Do I do this after the computer is set up? And how would I know what drivers I need?