Deleting Windows?

[AWayne]

Hello LTT Community,

 

Just a quick question I have about Windows installs. So I am planning on turning my current HDD into a secondary drive and Installing a new OS on an SSD that I will be purchasing.

So how would I go about deleting the Windows OS and turning my HDD into a simple storage device?

 

Thanks

[Acrain7]

i mean, now im no genius here, but i'd assume you could just delete the files for windows until it bluescreens, then use bios to have it load off of the external media (usb or cd) and then install windows on the new drive, and if anything is left on the old one, just delete it!

[ProjectBox153]

Do you have your data backed up? If so, just format it. Done.

[TheGlenlivet]

2 minutes ago, AWayne said:

Hello LTT Community,

 

Just a quick question I have about Windows installs. So I am planning on turning my current HDD into a secondary drive and Installing a new OS on an SSD that I will be purchasing.

So how would I go about deleting the Windows OS and turning my HDD into a simple storage device?

 

Thanks

Install the new OS on the SSD.  In BIOS change the SSD to the priority boot.  From that OS, reformat the Windows drive.

Doneski.

[Jsmith2211]

step 1 delete system 32. Then delet program files x86. Then reboot

[ProjectBox153]

Just now, Genericplane said:

i mean, now im no genius here, but i'd assume you could just delete the files for windows until it bluescreens, then use bios to haev it load off of the external media (usb or cd) and then install windows on the new drive, and if anything is left on the old one, just delete it!

That's one giant waste of time when you could install Windows once on the SSD and format the HDD in the process.

[Acrain7]

Just now, Jamiec1130 said:

That's one giant waste of time when you could install Windows once on the SSD and format the HDD in the process.

now correct me if im wrong, but wouldn't that delete all of his stuff on the HDD?

[ProjectBox153]

Just now, Genericplane said:

now correct me if im wrong, but wouldn't that delete all of his stuff on the HDD?

Yes, but it would actually get rid of Windows rather than making it unbootable. You can just back up files and move them back.

[Acrain7]

Just now, Jamiec1130 said:

Yes, but it would actually get rid of Windows rather than making it unbootable. You can just back up files and move them back.

i suppose... but the sketcheier the better, amirite?

[ProjectBox153]

Just now, Genericplane said:

i suppose... but the sketcheier the better, amirite?

No, it complicates things and makes a mess.

[AWayne]

7 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

Do you have your data backed up? If so, just format it. Done.

I have some, but A lot of the storage is taken up by games, and gamesaves. So I'd rather not have to reinstall, put the saves in place etc. If I could just get rid of unnecessary Space due to the OS. That would be ideal 

[Crunchy Dragon]

This may not relate directly to the problem you're facing, but I'm just gonna go ahead and throw my two cents in.

 

What you should be able to do is download software that will let you migrate your OS and files to another drive. There are lots of these available. Then reboot hit F11 during POST to reach the boot menu, and select your SSD as the primary boot drive. From there, you can hit Windows+R on your keyboard and type in diskmgmt.msc and hit Enter. From there, you can format your hard drive and do whatever you need to. 

[AWayne]

Just now, Crunchy Dragon said:

This may not relate directly to the problem you're facing, but I'm just gonna go ahead and throw my two cents in.

 

What you should be able to do is download software that will let you migrate your OS and files to another drive. There are lots of these available. Then reboot hit F11 during POST to reach the boot menu, and select your SSD as the primary boot drive. From there, you can hit Windows+R on your keyboard and type in diskmgmt.msc and hit Enter. From there, you can format your hard drive and do whatever you need to. 

Yes I know of this option, but my Windows install is corrupted and no matter the amount of repairs and troubleshooting I try on it, it is still to no avail. Many windows functions do not work when clicked, Defender is unusable etc. That is why I want a clean Install

[Crunchy Dragon]

Just now, AWayne said:

Yes I know of this option, but my Windows install is corrupted and no matter the amount of repairs and troubleshooting I try on it, it is still to no avail. Many windows functions do not work when clicked, Defender is unusable etc. That is why I want a clean Install

I would say back up your data and reinstall on your SSD.

[MikeSK]

Depending on the SSD size and the amount of data on the HD drive, you could format and setup the SSD to be the primary boot and OS.  Then, copy the HD data minus apps over to the SSD from the HD.  After formatting the HD, transfer the files from the SSD back to the HD.  You will have to re-install your APPs.  There are other options.

[AWayne]

Just now, Crunchy Dragon said:

I would say back up your data and reinstall on your SSD.

Right, in that case, is there any way I can keep the style and structure of my Current HDD but just zip it or something? Or is it not that easy?

[Crunchy Dragon]

Just now, AWayne said:

Right, in that case, is there any way I can keep the style and structure of my Current HDD but just zip it or something? Or is it not that easy?

The best way I can think of right now would be to install Windows on your SSD, go into the disk management utility as I mentioned in my previous post, and format your hard drive. You'll be able to use it as a simple storage drive if you format it as NTFS which will effectively wipe your data from it and allow Windows to access it. After that, you can store things on it and access them.

[AWayne]

3 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

The best way I can think of right now would be to install Windows on your SSD, go into the disk management utility as I mentioned in my previous post, and format your hard drive. You'll be able to use it as a simple storage drive if you format it as NTFS which will effectively wipe your data from it and allow Windows to access it. After that, you can store things on it and access them.

Mk, I will do this then. As for necessary files to backup. Obviously any documents, pdf, ppt, etc. But what about Video games? I play Witcher 3, Assassins Creed 4, etc. And I'd rather not lose my gamesaves. Is it simple enough to reinstall the games and copy over my saves into the appropriate folder?

[Crunchy Dragon]

Just now, AWayne said:

Mk, I will do this then. As for necessary files to backup. Obviously any documents, pdf, ppt, etc. But what about Video games? I play Witcher 3, Assassins Creed 4, etc. And I'd rather not lose my gamesaves. Is it simple enough to reinstall the games and copy over my saves into the appropriate folder?

That should work, yeah. Just make sure to save them to a USB drive or something similar, since you won't be able to save them once you format the HDD. Unless of course, you could access the HDD still with Windows installed and get things off of it.

[AWayne]

1 minute ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

That should work, yeah. Just make sure to save them to a USB drive or something similar, since you won't be able to save them once you format the HDD. Unless of course, you could access the HDD still with Windows installed and get things off of it.

Thank you so much, I can still access the HDD and will backup my saves that way. It will be the cleanest and best way to just format and reinstall any games I want on there. Thanks for your time!

[Crunchy Dragon]

Just now, AWayne said:

Thank you so much, I can still access the HDD and will backup my saves that way. It will be the cleanest and best way to just format and reinstall any games I want on there. Thanks for your time!

No problem!

 

Good luck!

[Enderman]

40 minutes ago, TheGlenlivet said:

Install the new OS on the SSD.  In BIOS change the SSD to the priority boot.  From that OS, reformat the Windows drive.

Doneski.

This^

But instead of just formatting it, go into windows disk management, delete the partitions on the HDD, and create a new simple volume.

[AWayne]

8 hours ago, Enderman said:

This^

But instead of just formatting it, go into windows disk management, delete the partitions on the HDD, and create a new simple volume.

How would this be any better than formatting if I may ask?

[Enderman]

35 minutes ago, AWayne said:

How would this be any better than formatting if I may ask?

It will remove the old windows partitions and wipe the whole drive so it is like new.
Formatting only wipes the main data partition, none of the other stuff on the drive.

[AWayne]

On 2/1/2018 at 10:03 PM, Enderman said:

It will remove the old windows partitions and wipe the whole drive so it is like new.
Formatting only wipes the main data partition, none of the other stuff on the drive.

Ah thank you for the tip! I'll definitely do this. Thanks again!