Need Help: Re-Installing Windows OS on an SSD

Chromist

Honorable
Aug 15, 2013
8
0
10,510
Hello, I am ready to upgrade my PC from windows 8.1 to windows 10. I am running 8.1 on a 120GB Samsung SSD. I would rather do a fresh install of windows instead of the regular upgrade as I messed with too many system settings back on the 8/8.1 install.

So my question to you is, how do I wipe my SSD clean in order to install a fresh copy of windows onto it?

Here is what I am working with:

  • I have windows 10 ready to roll on USB for fresh install.
    I have another 1TB HDD drive in my PC that I could potentially swap my OS to
    I have access to another PC I could potentially stick my SSD into and run the Samsung Magician secure erase on, then re-install the SSD to my computer and install a fresh Windows 10 onto it (if that actually works, I'm not sure on this)
Let me know what you think would work best, any advice is appreciated.
 
Solution
You must do the Upgrade first, from your existing OS.

2 options:
1. Reinstall 8.1 completely. Then Upgrade to 10
or
2. Upgrade to 10 from your current install. Then come back and do a clean install of 10.

You can't do a clean install first (or on a bare drive), because the Upgrade has to be run from an existing qualifying OS.

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
You must do the Upgrade first, from your existing OS.

2 options:
1. Reinstall 8.1 completely. Then Upgrade to 10
or
2. Upgrade to 10 from your current install. Then come back and do a clean install of 10.

You can't do a clean install first (or on a bare drive), because the Upgrade has to be run from an existing qualifying OS.
 
Solution

7malligk

Reputable
May 4, 2015
293
0
4,860

He's right,
Otherwise it won't activate properly

 

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