Windows 10: I am trying to remove all my data from my C drive and move it to my new NVME drive.

I am trying to do exactly what the title says, but after using disc cloning software, I couldn't format the C drive to eliminate all the data because it says it contains Windows currently in use. I have looked up plenty of stuff regarding this topic and am honestly too nervous to do anything. Any help would be greatly appreciated! I already moved data from my D drive to my other NVME and was able to wipe almost everything from it. Also, my Boot NVME says it only has 1 TB of storage but in bios, it says 2 TB and I ordered 2 TB.

:)

 

NVME no longer detects the windows installation in the drive even though i can still see it in the drive

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

It sounds like your Windows installation on the NVMe drive might be corrupted or the boot configuration might be messed up. Here are some steps you can take to try to resolve the issue:

1. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings:
   
   • Ensure that the NVMe drive is set as the primary boot device in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
     
   • Sometimes, the boot order might have been changed or reset.
     
   • Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.
     
     If you are going to modify BIOS Settings, please back up all your personal files first to ensure you do not lose data.
     
2. Use Windows Installation Media:
   
   • Create a bootable USB drive with Windows 10 installation media if you don't already have one. You can use the Windows Media Creation Tool to create it.
     
   • Boot from the USB drive by selecting it from the boot menu.
     
3. Repair Boot Configuration:
   
   • Once you are in the Windows Setup screen, select Repair your computer.
     
   • Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
     
   • In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
     
     
   • This will attempt to repair the Master Boot Record (MBR) and rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
     
4. Check Disk for Errors:
   
   • While still in the Command Prompt, you can check the NVMe drive for errors:
     
     
   • Replace C: with the correct drive letter for your NVMe drive if it’s different.
     
   • Disclaimer: Running chkdsk can check the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. To avoid any trouble for you, do not cancel or interrupt chkdsk, and back up important data.
     
     More information please refer to this chkdsk | Microsoft Learn.
     
5. Use Startup Repair:
   
   • From the Troubleshoot > Advanced options menu, select Startup Repair.
     
   • Follow the prompts and let Windows attempt to fix any issues related to startup.
     
6. Manually Repair BCD:
   
   • If the above steps don’t work, you can manually create a new BCD store:
     
     
   • Replace C:\Windows with the path to your Windows installation if it’s different.
     
7. Check for Hardware Issues:
   
   • Ensure that the NVMe drive is properly connected.
     
   • If possible, try connecting the drive to a different slot or using a different NVMe adapter.
     
8. Recover Data and Reinstall Windows:
   
   • If the above steps fail, it might be best to back up your data and perform a clean installation of Windows.
     
   • Boot from the Windows installation media, select Install now, and follow the prompts to install Windows on the NVMe drive.
     
   • During the installation process, you can format the NVMe drive to ensure a clean install.
     
9. Consult Professional Help:
   
   • If none of these steps work, it might be worthwhile to consult a professional technician who can diagnose potential hardware issues.
     

Go through these steps carefully and see if you can restore your Windows installation on the NVMe drive.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

No C: but D: drive has all the data

Hi Austin,

To help you with your concern regarding the data on the drive C:, you're seeing the drive "C:" as the drive "D:" because you're booting your computer outside Windows. When booting your computer outside Windows, the system is reading the recovery partition
as drive C: and the data in the drive C: \ are listed on the drive D: \. Try to boot your computer and try to check again the data in the drive C: \ and see if the data are listed.

Regards.

 

How do I erase the contents on my boot drive nvme?

Dear Forest Pedrosa,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community!

Thank you for reaching out with your query about securely erasing the contents of your NVMe boot drive before transitioning to a new motherboard. It’s indeed crucial to ensure that your data is securely erased to maintain privacy and prevent any potential issues during the transition.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to securely erase the contents of your NVMe drive:

1. Backup Important Data: Before proceeding with any data deletion, it’s essential to backup any important files and data from your NVMe drive to an external storage device or a cloud storage service.
   
2. Create a Bootable USB with Windows 10: You’ll need to create a bootable USB with the Windows 10 installation media. You can do this using the Media Creation Tool available on the Microsoft website.
   
3. Boot from the USB Drive: Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive. You might need to change the boot order in your BIOS to do this.
   
4. Open Command Prompt: On the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt window.
   
5. Identify the Drive: Type diskpart and press Enter, then type list disk and press Enter. This will display a list of all the drives connected to your computer. Identify the NVMe drive that you want to erase.
   
6. Select the Drive: Type select disk X (replace X with the number of your NVMe drive) and press Enter.
   
7. Clean the Drive: Type clean and press Enter. This will erase all the data on the drive.
   
8. Exit DiskPart and Command Prompt: Type exit and press Enter twice to exit DiskPart and the Command Prompt.
   
9. Continue with the Windows Installation: You can now continue with the Windows installation process.
   

By following these steps, you can securely erase the contents of your boot drive NVMe and prepare it for use with your new motherboard. If you encounter any difficulties or have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist