How to Clean Install Windows 10 on SSD and Format HDD: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re looking to optimize your desktop’s performance, installing your operating system on a solid-state drive (SSD) is an excellent decision. This guide provides a step-by-step process on how to clean install Windows 10 on an SSD and format a hard disk drive (HDD). The process can be intimidating for first-timers, but this detailed guide aims to demystify it.

Why Install Windows 10 on an SSD?

Before diving into the installation process, it’s important to understand the benefits of having Windows 10 installed on an SSD:

1. Speed: SSDs dramatically improve system boot times and application startup speeds compared to traditional HDDs.
2. Reliability: With no moving parts, SSDs are less prone to failure due to mechanical damage.
3. Efficiency: SSDs consume less power, which is beneficial for laptops or desktop systems where power efficiency is a priority.

By installing Windows 10 on an SSD, you take advantage of these benefits, ensuring a smoother and faster computing experience.

Preparing for Installation

Requirements

1. Windows 10 Installation Media: You need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage to create installation media.
2. A License Key: Ensure you have a valid Windows 10 license key. If you’re upgrading from a previous version of Windows, the upgrade should automatically detect your existing license.

Backup Your Data

Before proceeding, back up all important data on your HDD. Installing a new OS and formatting drives can lead to data loss if not properly managed. Use cloud storage, external drives, or other backup solutions to ensure your data is safe.

Creating Windows 10 Installation Media

Here’s how to create the installation media:

1. Visit Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page.
2. Download and run the Media Creation Tool.
3. Select “Create installation media for another PC” and follow the prompts, choosing your USB drive as the destination.

BIOS Setup

Access your PC’s BIOS/UEFI to configure boot settings:

1. Reboot your PC and enter the BIOS setup (usually by pressing DEL, F2, F10, or ESC keys during startup).
2. Set the primary boot device to your USB drive under the boot options.
3. Save the changes and exit.

Clean Installing Windows 10 on SSD

Now, let’s get into the process of clean installing Windows 10 on your SSD.

1. Insert the USB Installation Media: Plug the USB drive containing the Windows 10 installation media into your PC.
2. Boot from USB: Restart your computer. It should boot from the USB drive and start the Windows Setup.
3. Start the Installation Process:
4. Select your language preferences and click “Next.”
5. Click “Install Now.”
6. Enter your Windows 10 license key when prompted and click “Next.”
7. Select Installation Type: Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).” This option allows you to perform a clean installation.
8. Select Your SSD: You’ll see a list of drives. Select your SSD as the primary installation drive.
9. If there are partitions on the SSD, delete them to allow Windows to use the entire SSD.
10. Click “Next” to start the installation process.

The installation will take some time. Your PC will reboot several times, and Windows 10 will eventually be set up on your SSD.

Formatting the HDD

Once Windows 10 is installed on the SSD, it’s time to format the HDD.

1. Boot Into Windows 10: Make sure your system boots from the SSD with the newly installed OS.
2. Access Disk Management:
3. Right-click the Start button and select “Disk Management.”
4. Format the HDD:
5. In Disk Management, locate your HDD. It should be labeled as “Disk X,” where “X” is a number different from the SSD.
6. Right-click on the partitions present on the HDD and select “Delete Volume” to clear existing partitions.
7. Right-click on the main area marked as “Unallocated” space and select “New Simple Volume.”
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to format the drive. Choose “NTFS” as the file system and perform a full format for a more thorough cleanup.

Additional Configuration Steps

Once the installation and formatting are complete, there are a few additional configurations recommended for optimal performance:

Configure Drive Usage

• Programs and Apps: Install frequently used programs and applications on the SSD to leverage its speed benefits.
• File Storage: Use the now formatted HDD for storing large files, such as videos, photos, and documents, to save space on the SSD.

Optimize SSD Performance

• Enable AHCI Mode: Ensure that AHCI mode is enabled in your BIOS for optimal SSD performance.

• Disable Disk Fragmentation on SSDs: SSDs don’t benefit from defragmentation. Windows automatically manages this for SSDs, but it’s good to ensure it’s off.

• Open “Optimize Drives” from the Start Menu.

• Select your SSD and ensure it is set to optimize but not defragment.

Update Windows and Drivers

• Windows Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and make sure Windows 10 is fully updated.
• Drivers: Visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers for your hardware components.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation Fails or Doesn’t Start

• Check BIOS Settings: Ensure the USB drive is set as the first boot device.
• Recreate Installation Media: Occasionally, the installation media might be corrupted. Recreate it using the Media Creation Tool.

SSD Not Recognized

• SATA Connections: Check your internal connections. Ensure that the SSD is correctly connected to the SATA port.
• BIOS Detection: Enter BIOS/UEFI and check if the drive is detected. If not, reseat the drive and check again.

HDD Not Accessible

• Drive Letter Assignment: Ensure that a drive letter is assigned in Disk Management.
• Unplug and Replug: Turn off the PC, recheck the cable connections to the HDD, and try again.

Conclusion

By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll not only achieve a clean installation of Windows 10 on your SSD but also ensure your HDD is efficiently formatted and utilized. Such a setup not only enhances your computer’s performance but also optimizes storage utilization. With some additional steps like updating drivers and ensuring the right configurations, you can ensure your PC runs seamlessly, delivering a fast and reliable experience.