Forum Discussion
How to install Windows 10 on new SSD drive on my PC?
The stock SSD on my Windows 7 PC is almost full and the size is is so small (128GB SATA SSD). So I bought a new fast SSD to replace the old and I am planning to install Windows 10 on the new SSD drive, which is 1T in storage.
My question is how can I install Windows 10 on new SSD? I never done this before and need some suggestions to get the job done. What kind of things I should pay attention to?
You can do this manually by formatting the drive to NTFS and create two or more partitions on the new SSD hard drive. If you want to switch the Windows system to a new SSD without reinstallation, you can take reliable OS migration software for help. It safely moves the OS with system files, personal data, and your apps to a new disk without any boot issue.
https://www.mashabie.com/install-windows-10-on-ssd
This is the most recommended way to install Windows 10 on new SSD without much hassle! And you don't need to create a bootable USB, which takes time for preparation.
10 Replies
Installing Windows 10 on new SSD can be a straightforward process, but there are several important steps and considerations to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Make sure that your hardware, especially the motherboard, supports SSDs and Windows 10. Check the manufacturer's website for compatibility.
- Before installation, enter the BIOS/UEFI and ensure that the SSD is recognized. Set the boot order so that the installation media (USB or DVD) is the first boot device.
- If your SSD supports UEFI, make sure that the UEFI boot mode is enabled and Legacy/CSM is disabled. This can help with faster boot times and better compatibility.
- When prompted during installation, choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" if you want to select the SSD and format it. This ensures that you're installing only on the SSD and not affecting other drives.
- If you are formatting a drive, be absolutely sure you are formatting the correct drive. Double-check the size and label.
- If you want to create multiple partitions, do so before proceeding with the installation. Windows can partition the SSD during installation, but it’s good to customize it to your needs.
Thanks for your sharing!
- Make sure that your hardware, especially the motherboard, supports SSDs and Windows 10. Check the manufacturer's website for compatibility.
Santiagoo A bootable USB is not a must for installing Windows 10 on new SSD. In fact, you can clone the current bootable disk to the new SSD. Disk cloning is the process of creating an exact, one-to-one copy of the entire contents of a hard drive or SSD, including the operating system, installed programs, settings, and files, onto another drive. This cloned disk will be fully bootable and functional, just like the original, allowing you to transfer your system to a new drive without reinstalling the operating system or any applications. This means you can install Windows 10 on new SSD without USB by cloning the existing boot drive.
This is especially useful when you need a hassle-free way to transfer all data to a new drive without starting from scratch.
100% agree. Thanks a lot!
Laylainco Though disk clone is a valid solution to install Windows 10 on new SSD with USB drive, it is not always the best choice out there, mainly for two reasons:
Storage Size Mismatch: If you're cloning to a drive that is smaller than the original one, the process may fail unless you manually resize partitions or exclude data. This can be problematic if you're migrating from a large HDD to a smaller SSD.
Longer Cloning Time: Cloning can take a long time, especially when dealing with large drives or slow interfaces. The process requires copying every bit of data, even unused or fragmented files, which can be time-consuming.
- Don't forget to back up your data before you start installing Windows 10 on a new SSD. You never know when something might go awry, so it's always a good idea to back up your important files and data. You can use Microsoft's built-in backup tool, File History, or third-party software.
- Uh-oh! If your SSD isn't compatible with Windows 10, you might encounter installation issues or even a complete failure. Make sure to check Microsoft's official specs for Windows 10 compatibility and check your SSD manufacturer's website for any specific firmware updates. Make sure you have at least 20 GB of free space on your SSD before installing Windows 10 on your SSD.
SantiagooBefore partitioning the new SSD, it is very important to know what is the best file system for Windows 10. Currently, it is NTFS (New Technology File System).
NTFS is the default file system used by Windows 10 for internal drives, including SSDs and HDDs. It offers several key advantages, including support for large file sizes, better security features, file encryption, disk quotas, and file permissions. NTFS is also more reliable compared to older file systems like FAT32 and exFAT, with built-in recovery features that help maintain the integrity of the data in case of power failures or system crashes.
In short, you need to format new SSD before installing Windows 10 on the PC. Otherwise, the Windows 10 installation wizard will quit!
As someone who's been around the block a few times, I've got some tips and tricks to share with you.
- Before you start installing Windows 10 on a new SSD, you'll need to prepare your SSD. This means wiping the drive clean, so make sure you've backed up any important files or data you want to keep.
- Head over to Microsoft's website and download the Windows 10 installation media. You can choose from two options: the Media Creation Tool or the ISO file. The Media Creation Tool is a more user-friendly option, while the ISO file gives you more control over the installation process.
- Use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive. This will allow you to install Windows 10 from the USB drive instead of using a DVD.
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings. Set the USB drive as the first boot device and save the changes. Then, restart your computer again and boot from the USB drive.
- Once you've booted from the USB drive, follow the installation prompts to install Windows 10. This will involve setting up your language, time zone, and other preferences.
- After installing Windows 10, you'll need to activate it. You can do this by entering your product key or using the built-in activation tool.
You can do this manually by formatting the drive to NTFS and create two or more partitions on the new SSD hard drive. If you want to switch the Windows system to a new SSD without reinstallation, you can take reliable OS migration software for help. It safely moves the OS with system files, personal data, and your apps to a new disk without any boot issue.
https://www.mashabie.com/install-windows-10-on-ssd
This is the most recommended way to install Windows 10 on new SSD without much hassle! And you don't need to create a bootable USB, which takes time for preparation.
