Installing a second ssd + OS

[79wjd]

I have an extra ssd and a copy of windows 8.1 just lying around, and I've never really used w8/8.1/10, so I kind of want to install and play around with it for a bit. So I was wondering if installing a second ssd and installing w8.1 on it would cause any issues with the other two drives in the system, or if it would be a good idea to just unplug the other ssd/hdd whenever I want to play around with w8.1.

 

My current setup is W7 and a few programs on my ssd and games/everything else on my hdd. 

 

[EarthboundHero]

You should just be able to boot into the 8.1 SSD from the BIOS.

[79wjd]

You should just be able to boot into the 8.1 SSD from the BIOS.

That I know. 

 

I more meant, would installing w8.1 on the second ssd put files on either other ssd/hdd, or would trying to access the hdd through the w8.1 ssd cause issues for the w7 ssd and other things like that. 

[EarthboundHero]

That I know. 

 

I more meant, would installing w8.1 on the second ssd put files on either other ssd/hdd, or would trying to access the hdd through the w8.1 ssd cause issues for the w7 ssd and other things like that. 

Oh, sorry. No, you should be absolutely fine. 

[Jade]

That I know. 

 

I more meant, would installing w8.1 on the second ssd put files on either other ssd/hdd, or would trying to access the hdd through the w8.1 ssd cause issues for the w7 ssd and other things like that. 

If you don't choose the wrong thing and format it or install it to the other drive/s, it shouldn't change the other drives at all.

[Captain_WD]

I have an extra ssd and a copy of windows 8.1 just lying around, and I've never really used w8/8.1/10, so I kind of want to install and play around with it for a bit. So I was wondering if installing a second ssd and installing w8.1 on it would cause any issues with the other two drives in the system, or if it would be a good idea to just unplug the other ssd/hdd whenever I want to play around with w8.1.

 

My current setup is W7 and a few programs on my ssd and games/everything else on my hdd. 

 

Hey djdwosk97,

 

You should not have any problem dual-booting from two different drives. You can even do that with a single drive (having two OSs on a single drive - check MS's KB: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/install-multiple-operating-system-multiboot#1TC=windows-7 )

 

Just install your second drive in your system and, when installing Windows 8.1, make sure you choose the empty SSD, otherwise you will format your current one and lose all data on it. Afterwards, simply make whichever SSD you want a bootable drive and during startup it will be loaded (if the two OSs are on the same drive, you will be asked which one would you like to boot).

 

Captain_WD.