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. Ramesh 181.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-07-28T05:26:18+00:00

    You're welcome, BigT1965.

    If possible, you may try the "Clean install Windows 10 from ISO file" method in this article.

    https://pureinfotech.com/clean-install-windows-10/#windows10_clean_install_iso

    It's similar to the usual repair installation method, but you choose the "Nothing" option so that nothing is kept during the repair installation. All files, settings, and apps will be removed.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-07-28T01:36:06+00:00

    I had a hell of a time trying to get my Windows reset. I just got it straightened out today. I ended up with an almost dead PC. I could turn it on but no OS would load up. I thought it was doomed but, I ultimately found a way to restore my PC from a system image. The only one I had was dated 5/17/24. So I did that and the PC is running again. Some of the problems I had that started all this like the MS Store and xbox apps, also Nvidia Control Panel is back. So I got something out of it. I need to find out if my USB is fixed. I will look into reinstalling USB drivers. The problem I had with that Windows installation was that it took forever, like 6 hours and I had to abort it. I may hold off on that reinstall for now. I really appreciate all the help you gave me and I am certain that we would have been done after the first post if my USB was working properly. Thank you, for your help, fully appreciated. I just got a notification that an update is ready.

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  3. Ramesh 181.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-07-26T03:12:38+00:00

    Can you boot from the 500 GB drive now, even if the 1 TB one is disabled in UEFI?

    If so, re-enable the 1 TB drive, disable the 500 GB one, boot from the 1 TB drive, and do a reset.

    To reset, open Settings > **Recovery,**click “Reset PC,” select “Keep my files,” and “Cloud download.”

    (If you don't want to keep files on the 1 TB drive, choose the Remove Everything option instead.)

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-07-26T00:53:51+00:00

    OK, I got it sorted out. I moved the SATA connectors for those two drives to different ports. I checked those indicators and everything was correct now. I went ahead and did the migrate with Samsung Magician and it all went well. I did go to BIOS and disable the C drive and boot with no problems. So now I have all of drice C cloned to Drive D. Like I said I would like to have the OS on the 1 TB SSD. What's the best way to get that done?

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