Re-installing Windows 11 on another drive (D:) while keeping C:

How to Reinstall Windows 11 on a Secondary Drive While Preserving Your Original Installation

Scenario Overview:
Many users encounter situations where they need to reinstall Windows 11 on a secondary drive—such as a D: drive—without affecting their primary system drive, typically labeled C:. This process often involves technical challenges, especially when existing Windows installations are involved. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you perform a clean installation of Windows 11 on your secondary drive while retaining your original system and files on the primary drive.

Scenario Details:
Suppose you have a 2TB SSD with two partitions:
– C: — Contains your current Windows 11 installation and important files.
– D: — An empty or formatted drive that you want to install a fresh Windows 11 copy onto.

The goal:
– Install Windows 11 solely on the D: drive.
– Boot into the new Windows installation on D:, then selectively transfer files from C:.
– Finally, format C: to complete the setup.

Common Challenges:
During the installation process, you might encounter a loop or prompts such as:
“It looks like you started an upgrade and booted from installation media. If you want to continue with the upgrade, remove the media from your PC and click Yes. If you want to perform a clean installation instead, click No.”

Clicking ‘No’ often resets the process, prompting a restart to the drive selection screen—resulting in a loop. Addressing this requires understanding the Windows installation and boot process.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Prepare Your Installation Media:
Use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website to create a bootable Windows 11 USB installer.
Ensure the USB drive is properly formatted and contains the latest Windows 11 files.
Backup Important Data:
Before proceeding, back up any essential files from your current C: drive to an external location to prevent accidental data loss.
Boot from the USB Installer:
Insert the bootable USB into your PC.
Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive (may require adjusting BIOS/UEFI settings).
Start a Custom Installation:
When prompted, choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).”
You’ll see a list of drives and partitions.
Select the Correct Drive:
Identify your D: drive (make sure it’s the 2TB SSD’s partition you intend to install on).
If necessary, delete the partition on D: to create unallocated space