I currently have two SSDs installed in my computer: a 128GB SSD that I use for the OS and a larger 1TB SSD for gaming and storage. My system drive is mostly full, which is preventing me from updating my OS. Now that Windows 10 is phasing out, I want to switch my OS to the 1TB drive since it has plenty of space left. Is it possible to change my boot drive from the 128GB SSD to the 1TB SSD? Alternatively, I'm considering getting a 500GB SSD as a replacement for my current OS drive, but I'm unsure how to go about that. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
To switch boot drives, you can indeed install Windows directly onto your 1TB SSD. Just back up all your important data, boot from a Windows 11 installer USB, and during installation, select custom install. You may need to delete all existing partitions which will wipe everything, then proceed to install on the unallocated space of the 1TB drive. Once that's done, you can manage your remaining 128GB drive through disk management to use it for storage.
A simple way would be to replace your current Windows drive with a larger one. Look up the Windows Media Creation Tool for a clean install guide. When installing Windows, make sure to disconnect the 1TB drive until the OS is successfully installed on your new drive.
Yes, you can change which SSD is your boot drive! However, you'll likely need third-party software to clone your existing OS and files from one drive to another if you want to keep everything as is. Check the manufacturer's website of your SSD for cloning tools—they often provide something like Acronis for free, especially if it's a major brand like Samsung or Crucial.
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