I'm rebuilding my PC for the first time and will be upgrading to a newer motherboard due to some bottleneck issues with my current setup. I have an SSD with partitions for my C and D drives, but I also have a larger secondary HDD. I know I need to format the SSD during the reinstall, but I'm wondering about the secondary HDD. If I just unplug it and attach it to the new motherboard, will all my files still be accessible? I've heard mixed opinions about this and want to ensure I don't lose anything important.
3 Answers
Before you reinstall Windows, it's a good idea to disconnect the secondary HDD completely. This way, you won't risk Windows messing up any of your data on it while it's trying to install on your primary drive. Once the install is done, reconnect the secondary drive and everything should be there as it was.
You can totally keep your secondary HDD as is! Just unplug it while you’re installing Windows to avoid any confusion. After the installation, plug it back in, and your files should still be safe.
Here's a safe procedure: Disconnect power and data from your secondary HDD, leave it physically connected to your tower. Format your SSD’s C partition, ensure Windows boots correctly, then reconnect your secondary drive. It's also wise to back up your D partition just in case—better safe than sorry!
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