I want restore custom built pc to factory settings. Have questions!

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Jimmy_-

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Nov 4, 2015
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I recently got an ssd, before that i had a 1tb hdd. I want to wipe everything(exept os, windows 7) on my pc bc i want to transfer just my os onto my new ssd. i dont mind losing all my things on my pc. Would you guys know about any way to do this? I was planning to just wipe everything without getting rid of os. then use a program that will let me mirror onto my new ssd, but im not sure if this is a good way to do this. also if i use the option to reinstall windows, when i reinstall it, will the activation key be useless because ive already used it? If you guys have any suggestions or ways to solve my problem PLEASE HELP.
 
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Boogieman_WD
Hi there, Jimmy_-!

You could slim down your drive by uninstalling all the unnecessary programs and games, you've already installed (basically everything that didn't "come" with the OS) and then migrate your Windows to the SSD. Just follow this tutorial here: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows.
On the other hand, if you really don't mind wiping out everything, just go ahead and connect your SSD to the motherboard and make a fresh install of Windows, just as @Mr Kagouris has suggested. You should have no issues with your product key. Just one piece of advice, if you decide to go with a fresh install, please make sure that the only drive connected to the motherboard is the SSD...
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Jul 31, 2014
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Hi there, Jimmy_-!

You could slim down your drive by uninstalling all the unnecessary programs and games, you've already installed (basically everything that didn't "come" with the OS) and then migrate your Windows to the SSD. Just follow this tutorial here: http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid-state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows.
On the other hand, if you really don't mind wiping out everything, just go ahead and connect your SSD to the motherboard and make a fresh install of Windows, just as @Mr Kagouris has suggested. You should have no issues with your product key. Just one piece of advice, if you decide to go with a fresh install, please make sure that the only drive connected to the motherboard is the SSD during the Windows installation process. Once you make sure that the installation is successful - go ahead and connect the HDD. Then you can reformat it and use it as a secondary storage drive.

Hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Boogieman_WD
 
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Mr Kagouris

Mr Kagouris

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Sep 7, 2015
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Out of curiosity, why would he need to have only the SSD connected?
 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Jul 31, 2014
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Well, sometimes while installing Windows, some of the system files or the boot, system or other partition might be written on one of the secondary drives. That doesn't mean that it won't run, but you're going to have a bad time (to say the least) if you try to boot to Windows without the secondary drive in question (of course if you were unlucky enough for this to happen). This could also lead to problems with Windows updates except for the booting issues without the secondary drive.
It's actually a rare occasion, but still, it's better to be safe than sorry. :)
 
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