Windows 10: How to Remove Windows 10 Install Files From an external Hard Disk or SSD

Hello,

I downloaded the windows 10 files to an SSD I had for backup. I had to install Windows 10 on a usb or hard drive from an other computer because my laptop showed a stop code and was not working. I was told by Microsoft customer representative to download the software online onto a usb flash drive, however I didn't have a usb at the time so I used the SSD that I had. I transferred the files to another computer because I was told I would lose my files while installing Windows 10. After the software downloaded on my hard drive ssd I noticed the file size decreased to 32 gb for the installation file and I was shocked the size for my hard drive decreased. I would like to remove these installation files from my hard drive but I'm not able to. I tried to formal the hard drive by right-clicking USB drive from a different computer and clicking Format, however it just shows a 32gb folder as empty and I cannot retrieve the SSD's original size or transfer my old files back in there. Can anyone please tell me how to fix this problem, to remove the installer from the SSD/hard drive? Thank you.


I've read this

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-remove-windows-10-install-files-from-usb/a265ed6e-0554-4b1b-a25f-41b2cb17dc38


and this

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...nal-hard/d0c433be-2efb-4c80-aef2-049fe88a959f


but none of these helped. I don't want to lose this SSD or change its settings that will ruin the hard drive. I really need this drive for backup. Any help or professional advice anyone can offer would be great help.


Thank you.

:)

 

DOWNLOAD WINDOWS 10 NOW - Upgrade and ISO direct from microsoft

No its built into Windows, just open disk cleanup and select 'Clean up system Files' button on the bottom left- now you'll see previous installs of Windows listed under list of cleanable items. My old install is a whopping 25GB of my 256GB SSD.

 

External Hard disk contents are not visible.

Hi Pranoti,

For us to narrow down your concern with your external hard disk, we would like to know the following:

• Were there any changes made on your computer prior to the issue (e.g., updates, software installation)?
• To make sure that we have not missed on anything, what troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Do you hear any clicking sound when connecting your hard disk?

In the meantime, we suggest that you update all your device driver.

We look forward to your response.

 

Move Windows 10 from installed hdd to installed ssd

If you want to move it from hard disk, system image or cloning would be your options:

Choose system image if the SSD is equal in size or larger than hard disk:

• How
  to: Create a system image in Windows 10
• How
  to restore a Windows 10 system image to an existing or larger storage device

Choose cloning if its not:

How to Clone or Move Your Windows 10 Installation to a Larger Hard Disk or SSD

OR

You can remove the hard disk, reinstall Windows 10 directly to SSD, reattach the hard drive and format it.

Step 1: How
to download official Windows 10 ISO files

Step 2:

• How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10