I want to do a clean install of Windows 11 Pro on another SSD and keep all of the files and folders including the old Windows 11 on the current boot drive.

Anonymous
2024-07-18T03:36:07+00:00

There have been similar questions but I don't want to butt into those so I ask a slightly different question. I am having some problems with my current Windows 11 installation that I am giving up on trying to solve. Also on this drive is a ton of other programs and data that I would like to keep. So I am hoping to do a new Windows install on another drive and keep this old drive so I can take my time and extract what I want to keep then format this SSD for future use.

My current Windows 11 instillation is on a 1TB M.2 SSD (drive C) also on this SSD is several programs and data folders and files and a whole lot of files that are proably part of the Windows installation. Windows and all of this other stuff is together in one partition. There is 755 GB of free space on that drive. Here's what I am hoping to do.

I have another 500 GB sata SSD (drive D) with 359 GB of data on it in one folder. I would like to move that folder to the C drive then format the D drive in preparation to install Window 11 on it. I would like to leave everything on the C drive including the old Windows 11. Swap the drive letters so that the new Windows 11 is on the C Drive and get the boot order right in the BIOS. Then I can work on cleaning up the old windows drive. Maybe I could disable the windows on that drive somehow. Maybe rename or delate some critical files.

My question is, is this doable?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade

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Ramesh Srinivasan 88,100 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2024-07-19T03:44:20+00:00

To check activation status in Windows 11, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System and then select Activation . Your activation status will be listed next to Activation.

Ensure it says, "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account."

If it shows something else, post a screenshot.

Changing a hard drive should not void your license. You can clean install Windows 11 on the new drive (while skipping the Product Key). After Windows is installed, it automatically connects to Microsoft activation servers, finds the digital license for your hardware, and activates Windows.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-23T03:43:05+00:00

    Thanks for the explanation. That sounds doable. I'll look into it tomorrow.

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  2. Ramesh 181.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-07-23T03:08:39+00:00

    I don't want to do a clone, I'm trying to keep any of that current windows installation from getting into my new installation because it has some screws loose.

    After cloning, disable the 1 TB disk, then boot from the 500 GB disk and run a Reset (with the remove everything option) from Windows. Alternatively, run Setup.exe from the Windows 11 ISO and repair install Windows with the "Keep nothing" option. This ensures a clean installation.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-07-22T20:14:21+00:00

    I took a close look at the second one. It looks pretty complicated and tricky. I would save that as a last resort. The Macrium Reflect looks like it wants to do a clone of drive C: to drive D: . I don't want to do a clone, I'm trying to keep any of that current windows installation from getting into my new installation because it has some screws loose. I was watching a youtube video about it. It was in another language. I could translate the subtitles but they were something else. Pretty funny in some places. I don't like most youtube tutorials because my hearing is not very good and most of them have some sort of accent, talk too fast and have bad microphones. Is the Macrium Reflect going to do something I am missing? What is it I want to do with it?

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  4. Ramesh 181.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-07-22T17:05:45+00:00

    There are two more options.

    Use Macrium Reflect (no longer free, but a Trial is available) to clone the EFI and OS partitions from the old installation to the 500 GB SSD.

    Once done, boot from the 500 GB disk and start Windows. Run Setup.exe from the Windows 11 ISO and repair install Windows with the "Keep nothing" option.

    (or)

    You could try this. But be careful not to delete the partitions on the old drive. https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/94479-clean-install-windows-10-without-dvd-usb-flash-drive.html

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