Can I Delete Everything On My Hardrive Except Windows 10?

snickersniff · Mar 21, 2018

I would than put the hardrive in a costume pc build. Will this work? Just to recap, I would delete everything on the hardrive except windows 10 and put it in a costume pc build.

Snipergod87 · Mar 21, 2018

You can tell Windows 10 to reset this PC and remove all files, it will just keep the Windows 10 install (note your data would still be recoverable so not a good solution for selling the hard drive)

USAFRet · Mar 21, 2018

snickersniff :

Mostly no.

Putting that drive into a whole new system will likely require a clean install of the OS.
So just do that, rather than trying to 'keep' the OS.

Also, the Win 10 licensing:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.h

snickersniff · Mar 21, 2018

Can I clean everything off of the hardrive, put a clean install of windows 10 on it, and use it as my main hardrive in my new build?

USAFRet · Mar 21, 2018

snickersniff :

Yes.
Plug it into your new system, and simply do a clean install on the drive.
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to wiping everything from the drive.

alceryes · Mar 21, 2018

snickersniff :

This might be possible without reinstallation by syspreping the system.
(be sure to check your Windows licensing)

USAFRet · Mar 21, 2018

alceryes :

Easier to just do a full wipe and reinstall, which WILL work.

mdd1963 · Mar 21, 2018

If a retail copy of Windows 10, one is able to build new system, while stopping use of the original, and fresh install elsewhere...

If OEM copy of WIndows (build your own system), not as *technically* valid within EULA to move it from one system to another, but, that's a complex ethics story.

WIth a pre-built (HP/Dell) manufacturer's OEM copy, you are technically not allowed to wipe and move to a brand new system, and, often the manufacturer will look for a certain type of motherboard or hard drive to prevent such 'upgrades'.

USAFRet · Mar 21, 2018

mdd1963 :

As of the Win 10 1607 Anniversary release, the line between OEM and Retail is significantly blurred.
You can indeed move that license to new hardware. My links above detail how to link that license to a MS account rather than specific hardware.

mdd1963 · Mar 21, 2018

After reading this ... https://www.groovypost.com/howto/transfer-windows-10-license-new-pc/

It appears transferring OEM is indeed 'somewhat easier' now...

USAFRet · Mar 21, 2018

mdd1963 :

Yup.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

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