Windows 10: Loading OS on new Hard Drive

Hello, I need to replace the Hard Drive. I am of average computer knowledge. Talking with Dell. it doesn't sound very difficult to install the OS win7 using a USB media and the F12 key. Then add in the Drives from my disk I have. Does this sound correct, or will this turn into a nightmare?

Thank You....

:)

 

Copy OS to new drive on Windows 10

Original title: Upgrading a W10 Hard Drive with a new Hard Drive

I have a SSD hard drive in my PC running W10 and other apps and it is stating that the drive is almost full. It wasn't a very large drive and I am looking to replace it. Can I copy the OS to a new drive then format the old drive or do I need to add the
new drive and load the OS from scratch then format the old drive?

 

windows 10 removed my other windows 10 Operating System.

Hi, I was going to clone my current windows 10 OS (back up). I inadvertently put in the previous hard drive that I had cloned the older current windows 10 OS version on. When I turned on the computer a message loaded indicating hard drive error and then
windows modified the hard drive. I assumed it was modifying the new hard drive I just connected. To my surprise the older cloned version of my current windows 10 OS then loaded asking for the previous Microsoft password I no longer remember. I then restarted
the computer with only the current windows 10 OS hard drive to discover it no longer worked. BIOS sees it but does not recognize it as the OS because I believe the hard drive was changed when I first started the computer with both OS connected and the message
loaded claiming hard drive error and then windows modified that hard drive.

My question … Can someone please advise me on how I can undo the changes made to my current windows 10 hard drive to reactivate it to enable it to be recognized as an Operating System to enable it to load on boot? I have access to an external caddy and another
computer and Parogon / other software. Just need to know the procedure on what to do to undo the changes made to it.

Cheers ...

 

It sounds like you are asking if a clean install on a new hard drive is difficult. If so, no, it is rather easy, if you plan ahead and have everything you need in front of you. You'll need install media, either a Windows 7 DVD or USB flash drive. You'll need your license key, likely found on your computer if it came with Windows 7. You'll also want to have the basic drivers for your computer downloaded and saved on a flash drive, too. I normally only get the chipset, network, and video drivers before hand. Then, you can get the rest from Dell once you have Windows reinstalled and those drivers installed.

 

yes, that is what I am doing. A clean install. I do have all that. Although, I am not sure about the License Key, but my win 7 media was downloaded from the win 7 OS that came with this computer. I am thinking the license my be on that media??? Also, I have the driver disc that came with this computer. I am amazed that I have these. I do not know what made back up the win 7 onto that USB drive. I can probably call Dell and get that licenses.

Thank You for your confirmation.

 

You may want to check with Dell if you intend on installing Windows 10. They have a list of ones tested and there are some which have serious problems. Although many say not tested which means you are on your own.

 

Hi,

If we knew the model name of that Dell desktop then that would help too as Dell often doesn't bother to test older models for the latest OS compatibility.

Cheers, *Wink