Windows 10: Clean install without removing all drives first

I always clean install from bootable USB, never in place upgrade (There are several reasons, but that is a different conversation).

Even since Windows 7, and possibly before, when installing Windows we've had to remove all drives other than the one we want to install windows on to get the install to work and to avoid later problems.

If you have multiple drives connected at install time I've come across the following issues.

1. Windows will put the bootrec on the last physical drive. If you later remove or format that drive Windows won't boot.
2.During the setup phase Windows will refuse to install on any drive. This is often accompanied by a "Required driver file is missing" (Even on SATA HDD only systems).
3. During the OOBE phase Windows will say "Windows cannot be installed on this hardware"
4. Windows errors of various types may occur with BSODs after the final reboot.

I have to upgrade 10 PCs every year. Many of them have SSDs which are located under the graphics card, and all have at least 3 drives, some as many as 5. So every year I have to pull apart 10 PCs, remove all drives, install Windows and re connect all drives. I'm sick of it.

Drives cannot be disabled via UEFI.

Surely there is a better way to do clean installs?

:)

 

Clean Install Workaround for Vista

You may remember this news story on techPowerUp! a couple of days ago relating to the lack of clean installs when using the Upgrade Editions of Vista, which required an old OS to be installed. However, Paul Thurrott has managed to find a workaround for this issue, which ironically lets users do a clean install Vista without any previous version of Windows, albeit a little tedious. Here are the steps:

• Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD as normal
• When prompted for a product code, leave this blank
• Select the version of Vista you have purchased and let Vista install
• When you boot to your desktop for the first time, run the Vista setup from Windows
• This time enter your product key
• When asked whether you want to do an Upgrade of Custom install, select custom and choose a clean install
• Windows will now install for a second time and you should be able to activate it

Remember, these steps are only advised for use in order to achieve a clean install of Vista, it is only legal to use the upgrade editions if you have previously purchased the appropriate version of Windows.

Source: DailyTech

 

Windows 10 infinite restart black screen


The tutorials provided are just a list of troubleshooting steps. Use only the steps which apply to you.

Since none of the troubleshooting steps here worked, I'd suggest you do a Clean install.

John

 

Hard drive/ OS issue

a guy suggested :

• shutdown
• unhooked HDD
• restarted
• yay !!
• reconnected HDD
• restarted
• yay !!

also , try method 3
How do I unlock the drive where Windows 10 is installed?