Windows 10: Reset PC and storage/external drives query

I was wondering if anyone could advise me. I'm needing to reinstall Windows, and I figured I may as well use the reset feature. Would I need to disconnect my external drives and internal storage drive first, to isolate the SSD/C:? Or is it clever enough to leave the storage drives alone, and only wipe/reset the SSD?

I'd rather not have to haul everything out and open my PC up if it's not necessary, the thought scares me. *Smile

:)

 

How do i make an external drive an internal one?

Hi,

If you ran out storage, we usually used an external hard drive as an extended storage to save more files and can be used for backup purposes. In line with the updates that you’re getting in Windows, these are stored in the hard drive that’s
built-in to your PC. The system files that are associated with the updates are designed to be saved on the
C: drive and gets stored there automatically.

Regarding your query about making an external drive, it’s not possible for it to be set as an internal drive. An external hard drive is best to be used in backing up computers or serve as a network drive. For possible options in upgrading or extending the
storage capacity of the SSD installed on your device, we suggest that you contact its
manufacturer.

We’re just here if you need further help.

 

File History is On?

Thank you for replying to my 'File History: files not backed up for a while' query?

On my present and previous laptop PC, I have a external hard drive a Seagate External Desktop Storage SCSI 2TB

Which I use to store files, folders from the PC, physically, electronically attached to the current, and past laptop PCs. By way of a USB cable, and is logged in the PC's 'My PC: Devices and Drives'?

I back up my PC files, folders by 'manually' transferring copies of them to the external hard drive: storage?

By way of 'cut and paste' with no problem, occasionally do a System Image Back Up with the little problems?

If this is a 'fact' how can the PC 'File History' pop ups messages, say that it is not 'attached':

The photo, audio, document files, folders on the external hard drive, is in NFTS format?

A way around it is to remove the 'tick' in the PC Control Panel: File History-Back Up box, go with 'manual' up dating?

 

First - a clean install using a Windows 10 installation flash drive or DVD is much more reliable than the built in Windows 10 reset.

Second, in order to answer you question we need to see a good screenshot of disk management, with all the columns expanded to see all the info in them:
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of - Windows 10 Forums

 

Ok thanks, I'll post tomorrow, it's too late at night to figure out all the drive labels! I have 2 internal, 3 including the SSD, and 3 external, and all but C: are partitioned too. Bit of a mess.

 

C: is the internal SSD, (Disk 1)H: to L: first internal storage drive (Disk 2)E: to G: second internal storage drive (Disk 0) M: is external (Disk 3)N: to P: are second external (Disk 4)Q: + R: are third external (Disk 5)

Is this necessary if using the reset feature, rather than a clean install?

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

 

I would remove the active flag from H: drive. The reason we say to disconnect all other drives when installing/resetting Windows is so you are certain the boot files will be written to the same drive the Windows is going to be on. With the H: drive partition set as active, that is an indication that is where the computer is supposed to boot from in legacy (BIOS) mode. Remove the active flag and you should be fine because you only have 1 EFI system partition shown among all the drives.

 

Ok thanks, I think I follow.

I think I'll not be lazy, and I'll disconnect all but the ssd to do an install. So much faffing around though, but what can one do. *Smile

 

I've not had a problem in disconnecting all my External USB HDDs [3] before doing updates and Upgrades, doesn't take long to unplug either the USB cable or the power adapter. I did get a change when I changed to/set up a new computer and one drive got a different letter that it had on the 6-yr. old computer but they are only storage drives, no installed programs on them.