Question about formatting PC/upgrading on same SSD my OS runs on.

jme420 · Nov 6, 2016

I am currently running windows 7 on an SSD drive and I also have a huge HDD which is at capacity currently.

I wish to format my PC for security reasons and start with a clean slate. I also wish to change to windows 10 in the process.

I bought a large external USB hard drive a few months ago which has enough capacity for all the files on my PC.

I was hoping for some solid advice on what is the most efficient, safe way to format my SSD, and install a new operating system, without losing any files.

I should add, i have commit the eternal sin of losing my driver CDs that i got with my PC, this scares me tbh, should i be worried?

Themastererr · Nov 6, 2016

jme420 :

How big is the USB drive? You should be able to make a Windows 10 USB drive via the Microsoft webpage. After this is complete, you should be able to drag the important files you need onto the USB drive afterwards. Make a folder to do this. Don't move any of the Windows files.

Driver CD's aren't an issue anymore as every manufacture has updates available on their website. If anything, it's a sin for manufactures to include that C.D as you're just hurting the environment at this point.

jme420 · Nov 6, 2016

Themastererr :

This is an external hard drive, i believe its 2-3TB. i have a 32gb USB pendrive also.

So your suggestion would be to follow a guide to installing windows 10 via USB? Do you have any guidelines to follow as this would be the first time i am attempting such a thing.

Also, would i copy all my files over to the external and then format the drive? or does windows 10 format the drive for me?

Thanks for a swift response

Themastererr · Nov 6, 2016

I would actually head over to the Microsoft webpage to get started. Here's a link to get going - https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

Expand the "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file)" section and detailed instructions should be there.

You wouldn't have to copy anything if your drive is external. Leave it as is. Windows does not care about external drives during the setup process. Your initial post confused me as you did not mention the drive was external.

If you're idea is to use the external hard drive as a temporary storage, then yes, copy what you need PRIOR to Windows installation onto the external drive. As a precaution, unplug the external during Windows 10 setup.

jme420 · Nov 6, 2016

Themastererr :

Sorry for the confusion. The external drive is 2-3 TB, and empty right now. I bought it to back up my files while i upgrade.

All i want to ensure is that I have a clean install of windows 10 on my SSD (internal) and to keep all my files (can be anywhere temporarily).

So what i am going to do then is
-Plug my external HDD into my PC
-Back up all my files from both internal hard drives onto my external
-Unplug external drive
-Proceed with a win10 installation via USB pen drive.
-After installing win10, i copy my files from external back over to my SSD.

My only remaining question pertains to installing windows 10. Would i need to format my SSD containing win7 before installation for extra security? I want to ensure there are no remaining viruses/malware lurking in the background.

Thanks again for all your help!

Themastererr · Nov 6, 2016

jme420 :

You've got it.

And no, I would let Windows 10 format the drive within their setup. It will be clean and you will not have any files left over. Make sure to choose this option though, as there are a few different ones the setup provides you with. You want the "Clean" install of course. It might take a little longer to reformat (probably not with an SSD honestly) but it's worth it and will give you the piece of mind you want.

No problem. I'm confident everything will go smooth. Windows 10 is an awesome operating system, and guess what, with Windows 10 you can reformat within Windows! No USB or CD needed

Good luck.

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