Windows 10: Will adding a drive letter to an SSD let me install Windows?

Discus and support Will adding a drive letter to an SSD let me install Windows? in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; I'm trying to get a laptop working again. In the section where I should be able to install Windows, it only has one drive and has an MBR but says that... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by JeffWohnsiedler1, Apr 7, 2025.

  1. Will adding a drive letter to an SSD let me install Windows?


    I'm trying to get a laptop working again. In the section where I should be able to install Windows, it only has one drive and has an MBR but says that needs to be a GBT.I thought about taking the NVMe out and while it's in the enclosure I have, use Disk Management, to add another drive letter and partition and then copy the folders and files from the download I have on a flash drive to that partition.I'm wondering if that will work.Any suggestions?

    :)
     
    JeffWohnsiedler1, Apr 7, 2025
    #1
  2. topgundcp Win User

    Cloning to SSD then swapping drive letters


    @SamHobbs
    What you want done is very simple and can be done in short period of time. Here's my suggestion:
    There's 2 modes that Windows can be installed: UEFI and the old legacy MBR. Open Disk Management, look at the disk where your C drive is, if there's a
    1. EFI System Partition, your Windows was installed using UEFI.
    2. System Reserved partition, your Windows was installed using MBR
    Next, Connect your SSD to an available Sata port (no need to format or do anything). Download: Macrium Reflect Free . Install and run. Follow the steps below:
    1. From Macrium, click on image this disk under your C drive and save it to either an Internal or External Drive. This will create a single backup image of the whole disk containing your C drive.
    2. Again, from Macrium, click on Restore tab and select the image created from step 1, Select your SSD as the destination drive, click Next->Finish
    3. Exit Macrium. If your Windows was installed using MBR, Open disk management and make sure the SSD is marked "Active" else go to next step.
    4. Shutdown your PC. Disconnect the HD containing Windows C drive then connect your SSD to it.
    5. Reboot. Your PC should boot and the Windows should have C as the drive letter.

    NOTE: The procedure above is to backup your Windows to an image file then copy it back to the SSD. This ensures proper cluster size aligment for the SSD. In addition, Macrium also perform Trimming for the SSD. This is more preferable than cloning.
     
    topgundcp, Apr 7, 2025
    #2
  3. hootie Win User
    How to change SYSTEM drive letter to C from another letter

    I am working on a step by step process to fix the computer for windows 11 upgrade. (Currently have Windows 10) This was a built PC, but when my friend installed the OS for me somehow the windows install drive became the F drive. Here is a view of disk management I want to do the following (believe I need to do in this order).
    1. Move windows install drive letter from F to C
    2. Fix it so bootloader is MBR / on the SSD
    Afraid of just changing the letter in disk management as the system will look for system files in the f-drive. I do have AOMEI partition assistant installed if that is useful for this task. I really appreciate any help in how to do it.
     
    hootie, Apr 7, 2025
    #3
  4. Lazzer408 Win User

    Will adding a drive letter to an SSD let me install Windows?

    help. USB drive isn't assigned a drive letter.

    Any usb flash drive I plug into my computer isn't assigned a drive letter. The physical drive shows in the "safely remove hardware" but it doesnt show up in disk management. I have tried to populate the volume thru the safely remove hardware properties window and it does pop up in the list but it doesn't stay there. This isn't a format or assign a letter problem. It's more complicated then that. Maybe one of the services needed for usb drive management was disabled? Suggestions needed. btw external usb harddrives work fine.
     
    Lazzer408, Apr 7, 2025
    #4
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Will adding a drive letter to an SSD let me install Windows?

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