Format & Reinstall multiple hdd's

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DeeLee

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Jun 4, 2016
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1,510
There are 2 HDD's in the desktop. I want to format and wipe both of them out. Then I want to do a fresh Windows10 install on the larger HDD. Do I still need to disconnect one of the hard drives first? Thanks
 
Solution
USAFRet


The OS will indeed go on whichever drive you choose.
The boot partition, however...may end up on the other drive. And you have no control over how that happens.

Simple solution...have only the one drive connected.
Takes 5 seconds to reconnect the other one later.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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Yes, you need to do the install with only the one drive connected.
After it is all up and running, then you reconnect the other drive, open Disk Management, and delete all partitions on it.
Reformat, and start with a blank drive.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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And also, Windows has a stupid habit of sometimes putting the boot partition on the second drive.
 
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DeeLee

Commendable
Jun 4, 2016
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1,510
Hmmmm, I am seeing two different solutions offered. Thanks for that but they contradict each other. If I format both drives to start with, why would it matter if I simply pick the larger of the two when starting the Windows10 install. Won't it be a no-brainer for Windows10 to install to the disk I point at?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,751
18,126
184,590


The OS will indeed go on whichever drive you choose.
The boot partition, however...may end up on the other drive. And you have no control over how that happens.

Simple solution...have only the one drive connected.
Takes 5 seconds to reconnect the other one later.
 
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Solution
D

DeeLee

Commendable
Jun 4, 2016
12
0
1,510
Ok, I got that!! I thought Windows was supposed to know what it was doing?? Then again, I've thought that incorrectly many times thru the years. <g>
But, I do thank all of you for the answers. Believe me on this HP beast where things are packed like sardines inside, it is more than a 5 minute job but I will go at it again. (Used to be my PC but gave it to my son)

I will gladly take your good advice and undo the smaller one assuming it will make the larger drive the boot drive even if it is plugged into Disk 1 - at least that's what Windows should do I believe.

Donna
 
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