Share via

Migrating Windows to Another Storage Device

Anonymous
2022-02-14T14:35:51+00:00

So I recently picked up a 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD, and I want to migrate windows over to that from my hard drive because my hard drive is in good condition, it is still extremely slow to boot up windows and start basically any apps. However, when it comes to this process and windows not giving a direct option to relocate windows in the settings, it's become difficult trying to find a reliable and safe method. I don't trust third party backup and cloning apps, and if there's any method that can be done directly through windows then I'd like to take that route. I've also heard that this is a possible method:

Had OS on HDD

Wanted to move OS over to SSD

  1. Factory Reset PC entirely, ensuring windows and all files are removed from both drives.
  2. After factory reset is complete, unplug HDD from computer so it is forced to re-install Windows on the SSD
  3. Turn PC on and allow the OS to re-install on SSD.
  4. Turn PC off, plug HDD back in, then turn PC on again.

I was wondering how this would work, considering that the OS was installed to my HDD originally when I got the computer, this computer isn't coming from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7. Also, how would the computer know to re-install windows period if it was originally already installed in the hard drive? Does the motherboard or CPU or ROM come into play here? Or would I have to go out and buy a fresh copy of Windows 10?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. DaveM121 877.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-02-14T15:10:18+00:00

    Hi DaBlueWolf

    I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    You cannot use a Windows reset to install Windows on another drive, that can only be done by booting your PC from a bootable Windows 10 USB.

    You can reinstall Windows 10 at any time, you will not need a product, activation will be automatic and it will not cost you anything !

    Click this link:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    to download the Media Creation Tool (Click on Download Tool Now), with that you can download the latest Windows 10 ISO (Select Create Installation Media for Another PC), you can create a bootable USB flash drive (min 8GB) using that tool

    Then, Boot your PC from the Installation Media you just created (change Boot Order in your BIOS) to begin installing Windows 10

    Since you previously had Windows 10 installed and activated on that PC during the installation process skip the steps which ask for a product key and select the option 'I am Reinstalling Windows 10 on this PC', and activation will not be an issue, your PC will have a digital entitlement stored on the Microsoft Activation Servers

    Was this answer helpful?

    5 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. DaveM121 877.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2022-02-14T15:26:43+00:00

    Hi DaBlueWolf,

    If you don't have a flash drive, the only other working method would be to use a 3rd party tool like the free version of Macrium Reflect to clone the old disk onto the new disk and then set the new disk as the primary boot device.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2022-02-14T15:21:05+00:00

    I don't actually have a flash drive with a storage space of that capacity, is there an alternative that I can use? Like, would the method I stated above work at all?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments