How to Clean Install Windows 11 on a Secondary Drive Without Affecting C: Drive?
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TechWhizKid99
I've got a 2TB SSD that I formatted and want to install Windows 11 on it (let's call it D: drive). I already have Windows 11 running on my C: drive, which also has important files that I need to keep. My plan is to install Windows on the D: drive and then transfer the necessary files from C: before formatting C: to start fresh. However, when I boot from the USB drive to install Windows on D:, I get stuck in a loop. After the initial setup, I see a message saying I've started an upgrade instead of a fresh installation. If I select 'No', it just takes me back to the drive selection screen. What's the best way to tackle this?
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A simpler solution could be to just create a bootable USB drive again and ensure that it’s set to do a clean install. You may need to go into BIOS settings to change the boot order, so it prioritizes the USB device.
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You might want to try this: temporarily disconnect your C: drive, install Windows fresh on D: (which will then be your C: while the other is disconnected), and once that's all set up, plug your old C: drive back in. That way, you can easily transfer your files without getting into any upgrade loops.
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The issue you're facing sounds like it's related to how the installer is detecting existing installations. When you start over, ensure to format the D: drive again and look for the option that mentions using a previous setup version. If you do that correctly, it should allow you to choose the partition you want without getting stuck.
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