Windows 10: How to Prep a USED SSD for Windows 10 Clean Install?

I have a Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB . I got in a pinch with a failing hard drive on another PC and temporarily used this SSD for a short time to hold personal data files. All of those data files have been backed up and I'm ready to re-use this SSD drive for a clean install of Windows 10. However, all those old data files are still on the SSD. What is the best way to prep the drive for the Windows 10 fresh install process?

• Should I use Samsung Magician's Secure Erase function?
• Should I let Windows reformat the drive during the Windows 10 clean install process? (I have not actually been through the process, but I have read that it will be an option.)
• Is there another, better method?

Thanks very much for the advice. This is an INCREDIBLE forum and resource for Windows 10!
Carol

:)

 

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

 

Clean install Windows 10 on new SSD to rplace failing HDD and corrupte


How to do a clean install of Windows 10 on a new SSD that will replace a failing HDD and corrupted data files in a Laptop PC?
There seems to be a lot of old posts that touch on various subjects that I need help with but none that lump them all together. This is a clean install of Windows 10 on a new SSD on a Laptop PC that was previously upgraded to Windows 10 with the free upgrade just prior to the free upgrade becoming unavailable. About 6 months ago intermittent weird problems began to appear and with the help of various support groups and Windows Community we came to the conclusion that the HDD needed to be replaced(failed Seagate's drive test) with an SSD (My Choice) and a clean install of Windows 10(corrupted data files in the OS).
I was given a URL to download and burn to DVD an ISO file of Windows 10 PRO 64bit OS. I purchased a 240GB Sandisk SSD. I don't need to partition this drive as the single C: partition is adequate for size and speed.
Is there a step by step procedure listed somewhere that preps(formats?) the SSD using disk management for Windows 10 and then using the ISO file that I burned to a DVD, installs Windows 10 on to my SSD? I am not familiar with ISO files and am assuming that is something that is sent to you to boot from and install from when you order SW from MS.

 

Is it time for Windows 10 already?

Here's a good step by step guide on doing a fresh install.

http://m.hexus.net/tech/features/software/85085-how-clean-install-windows-10-usb-drive/