I'm thinking about installing Windows 11 on a second drive while I already have it set up on my first drive. Will doing this wipe any data from the first drive?
3 Answers
Yes, you can definitely do this! I've got two Windows installations myself. Just remember to turn off fast startup in your existing Windows, remove the current drive, install on the new one, then turn off fast startup there too. Don't forget to put the original drive back in after!
If your second drive is bootable, it's like having a separate computer altogether. Just make sure to set it up correctly, and you'll be good to go!
Nope, you won't lose data from the first drive as long as you keep it disconnected while you install Windows on the second drive. After installing, you can use your BIOS to choose which drive to boot from.
Actually, you can install both drives in your system, but it might require some extra steps. I had to do it that way since my default drive is OEM-sealed and still under warranty.
Just keep in mind that Windows can sometimes place boot files on both drives if they're connected, which can get messy. I recommend either disabling the first drive in BIOS or setting up a profile to keep things separate. By the way, why not use a virtual machine instead of having two full installations?