Is It Safe to Buy a Pre-Installed SSD with Windows?
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TechieTraveler89
My SSD has failed, and I'm planning to buy a replacement. I found some SSDs on eBay that come with Windows pre-installed, which sounds super convenient. However, I'm concerned about the safety of this option. Are there risks involved in purchasing a pre-installed Windows SSD? For instance, could it be potentially loaded with malicious software? If I go for a used or refurbished drive, what steps should I take to ensure everything is in good condition?
Answers
I would advise against buying an SSD with Windows pre-installed. It’s a risky move since you really don’t know what kind of software or rootkits are lurking there.
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You should definitely use your friend's computer to download and create a USB drive to install Windows from scratch instead. This way, you can avoid any potential bad stuff on the SSD. After you get your SSD, boot from the USB drive, delete all partitions on the new drive, and install Windows fresh with your preferences.
TechieTraveler89: Thanks for the tip! I’ll go that route for sure.
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CuriousCat57: What are rootkits exactly? I've heard they're bad news, but I’m not quite clear on what they actually do.
CautiousBuyer42: Rootkits can hide malicious software that acts like a virus, so definitely not something you want on your system!