Windows 10: I want to do a clean install of Windows 11 Pro on another SSD and keep all of the files and...

There have been similar questions but I don't want to butt into those so I ask a slightly different question. I am having some problems with my current Windows 11 installation that I am giving up on trying to solve. Also on this drive is a ton of other programs and data that I would like to keep. So I am hoping to do a new Windows install on another drive and keep this old drive so I can take my time and extract what I want to keep then format this SSD for future use. My current Windows 11 instillation is on a 1TB M.2 SSD drive C also on this SSD is several programs and data folders and fi

:)

 

Windows 11 clean install from HDD to SSD

Hi, Joseph. I'm Robinson, and I’m happy to help you today.

"First, can I reuse my product key automatically or is there some process I have to go through to deactivate my product key to then reactivate it when I reinstall it?"

-Yes, you can use the same product key. Once you sign in on Windows using your Microsoft account, your Windows will be activated automatically.

"Second, will it prompt me to install it to my SSD instead of the original HDD?"

-During the Windows installation will be shown a list of all drives attached to your computer, you will need to identify which one is the SSD and install Windows on it.

The easiest way is to disconnect all drives from your motherboard and let only the SSD where you want to install Windows connected. Once you finished the Windows installation reconnect the other drives

"Third, when I clean install Windows 11 to the SSD will the original HDD be completely wiped clean or will the original Windows 11 instillation be on it?"

-If you don't delete the partitions from the HDD during the Windows installation all the data in the HDD will keep intact.

If you keep only your new SSD connected to your computer during the Windows installation or do not delete the partitions during the Windows installation, you will need to use Disk Management to wipe your HDD.

"Finally, what are the step by steps to actually clean install Windows 11"

-The easiest procedure is:

Step 1: Disconnect all drives from your motherboard. Keep connected to your motherboard only the new SSD where you want to install Windows.

Step 2: Perform a clean installation of Windows on the SSD. You can see how to do it at this link.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

Note: Instead of using the original Windows 11 install USB which has an outdated version of Windows, it is recommended to create a new Windows 11 install USB with the latest version of Windows. You can do it with the Media Creation Tool from this link.

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...

Step 3: Once you finished with the Windows installation, reconnect the old HDD to your computer and wipe with the Disk Management.

1-Right-click on Start then click Disk Management

2-Right-click on the partition of the HDD and select "Delete volume". Delete all partitions from the HDD

3-Right-click an unallocated region on your HDD, and then select "New Simple Volume" and follow the instructions

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll be glad to assist you further.

 

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 11 clean install from HDD to SSD

I'm trying to completely wipe everything off my computer and reinstall Windows 11 from scratch. I built my computer around two years ago and installed the Windows 11 OS onto a 2TB HDD but now have a 2TB SSD and want to install it there and swap out the 2TB HDD for an 8TB HDD. I have already gone through the process of backing up everything I want onto a separate flash drive. I also still have my Windows 11 install USB with the product key from when I originally installed it.

My questions are:
First, can I reuse my product key automatically or is there some process I have to go through to deactivate my product key to then reactivate it when I reinstall it?
Second, will it prompt me to install it to my SSD instead of the original HDD?
Third, when I clean install Windows 11 to the SSD will the original HDD be completely wiped clean or will the original Windows 11 instillation be on it?
Finally, what are the step by steps to actually clean install Windows 11