Delete all Windows related installation files without losing data

alexcuria

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Apr 20, 2009
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Not really sure in which category to post this, so move if necessary.

I'll try to explain the best I can.

I want to do a clean install of Windows on a brand new SSD. I also have a 1TB HDD with the old Windows installation and all my personal files/data (music, photos, game saves, documents, etc...).

Is there an easy straight-forward way to delete all windows related files from the HDD without losing the data? I mean is there something more to just deleting the Windows folders so I can gain the maximum disk space again?

I know that I could just backup the data on a different drive and then format but I don't have another 1TB HDD to do this.

Thanks for any help
 
Solution
Not that I'm aware of.

Best thing I can think of is install Windows on your new SSD and then move the files you want to keep over to the SSD (if you have enough room) and then format the HDD as you have mentioned above.

Beyond that I'm not aware of any program that systematically can remove ONLY windows related files from a hard drive.
Not that I'm aware of.

Best thing I can think of is install Windows on your new SSD and then move the files you want to keep over to the SSD (if you have enough room) and then format the HDD as you have mentioned above.

Beyond that I'm not aware of any program that systematically can remove ONLY windows related files from a hard drive.
 
Solution

alexcuria

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Apr 20, 2009
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Thanks for the quick reply but the SSD is only 128GB and the HDD (which is 90% full) is 1TB :(

I have another option but it's time consuming. I have 2x 500GB external drives which combined would give me enough backup space.