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2884
November 28th, 2019 15:00
17 R4, installing Windows 10 on a second SSD
I had this machine for 2 years now and it came with a 256 Gb SSD Toshiba drive + 1 TB HDD
I started to run out of space so I bought a 1 TB 2280 nvme SSD which will come to me in like a week.
Could anyone help me with the procedure I need to use to get a freshly installed Windows on the NEW SSD? I mean - I have already created a bootable USB through Microsoft tool that I am going to use, so the question now is how to get the new drive to be the one that's used for booting automatically and not the old one (I would rather keep everything that already is on the old 256 Gb one and not format it). Should I unplug the old SSD before I start Windows installation? Should I fiddle with some settings in BIOS?
What about Windows key/activation? I guess that's taken care of by UEFI or whatever it is called?
Alienware-Joe
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December 3rd, 2019 19:00
Yes, once you install the additional drive. It will appear on the BIOS line-up.
Morgh
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November 28th, 2019 15:00
Thing is - I would very much prefer to use a fresh install... this current one throws BSOD from time to time and is not something I am fond of. It's also 2 years old so a fresh install would probably be better even if I have to spend some time installing all the apps and setting it up how I want it to be...
And if I was to clone the existing SSD - how to go about it? How to make then the computer use the new SSD and not the one I cloned from? (without a format)
nyc10036
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5.6K Posts
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November 28th, 2019 15:00
Easiest is to clone the existing hard drive.
Alienware-Joe
671 Posts
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November 28th, 2019 17:00
The Windows Key Activation is already embedded into the motherboard from that end you shouldn't worry about it.
As for the Boot Configuration in the BIOS (F2) - Boot Tab, you'll be able to change which will be the priority drive in which you'll get the Windows OS boot from. As for how to Reinstall Windows - You can use this guide here: http://dell.to/2vFsgNY
You could keep the OS fresh on the primary SSD, there's no issue there. Or you can perform a clean wipeout.
Morgh
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November 30th, 2019 14:00
Thank you. The issue though is that I only have 4 boot options currently - will that change after I add a drive?
If I wanted currently to choose my HDD as boot instead of SSD I don't know how I would go about it...