Adding A Third Drive With Windows 10?

T Hutchems · Feb 13, 2017

Hi, I have 2 hard drives currently installed in my Dell pc. One with my OS (Windows 10) and the other is for storage. I want to add a third drive (Seagate Firecuda sshd)
with a fresh install of Windows 10. So can I have two hard drives with Windows 10 that I can choose from to boot up as I please? This Dell came with Windows 7
that I upgraded to 8 then to 10 which I assume means I'll need to use my digital license to register the second Windows 10 on the new drive. But I can run both? Thanks

greens · Feb 13, 2017

Yeah that is fine but you'll have to switch boot priority each time you want to change which OS loads.
I don't even think you'll need another key, the PC will be functionally identical - and i don't think W10 cares what HDD its being loaded from - it will still show as an activated PC.

Why on earth would you want to have two versions of the same OS on a rig?

elbert · Feb 13, 2017

You can set it up in bios which to boot. You could also modify boot for a menu. here is more info.
http://www.howtogeek.com/187789/dual-booting-explained-how-you-can-have-multiple-operating-systems-on-your-computer/

USAFRet · Feb 13, 2017

Question:
Why two installs of the same OS?

T Hutchems · Feb 13, 2017

Thank you both for your helpful replies! One issue I'm having with my current version of Windows 10 is that I have version 1511 and every time it tries to download and install the anniversary version, it fails. I've tried different solutions with no luck. I figure if I install the most current version of 10 onto the new drive, I could eliminate that issue?

USAFRet · Feb 13, 2017

T Hutchems :

You can install that on the current drive, and keep everything as it is.
It will look like you're doing a full clean install, but in reality, it is exactly the same as the regular 1607 Anniversary update.

This is a recommended procedure for if that automatic update fails.

Kurz · Feb 13, 2017

If the update fails you are looking at a clean install or the harddrive is about the die.

T Hutchems · Feb 13, 2017

The automatic update to 1607 has failed every time over the last few months. It downloads and installs but then shows the error messages "Your pc has run into a problem', 'Attempting to recover installation' and finally 'Restoring your previous version of Windows'. This drive is nearly 8 years old. And although Defraggler tells me the drive's health is good, I suspect that it's not long from failing.

elbert · Feb 13, 2017

I suggest you use Microsofts creation tool to make a new USB install. Do a clean install on the new drive should fix the issue.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

USAFRet · Feb 13, 2017

T Hutchems :

Might be time for a new drive.

Kurz · Feb 13, 2017

Average drive life is 4-5 years. Time to get a new one or an SSD.

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