Hey everyone! I'm making the switch to Windows 11 soon since my C: drive is on its last legs. I've got a new drive ready and I'm considering my options for the installation. Should I clone my current C: drive to the new one and then upgrade to Windows 11, potentially doing a reset? Or would it be better to just do a fresh install of Windows 11 on the new drive and leave my old C: drive behind? I have a digital license linked to my Microsoft account, so I believe I can go with the fresh install (Option B) and it should activate once I'm online. Also, I want to ensure I'm formatting the new disk correctly to GPT for Windows 11 and getting everything set up right, including securing boot settings. I've already made a backup list, but if anyone has suggestions on what to remember, let me know! Thanks!
1 Answer
You can definitely go with the fresh install on the new drive! Just choose the option "I don’t have a product key" during setup, and make sure to install the same edition you have—either Home or Pro. Since your Windows 10 is tied to a digital license, it should activate automatically once you're connected online. A fresh install is a smart move, especially with a failing drive, as it helps you avoid carrying over outdated drivers or potential issues from your old system. Also, remember to unplug the old drive to prevent any bootloader confusion!
Thanks for the heads up! I’ve seen posts warning about bootloaders trailing onto other drives. Since I have to remove my GPU to access my M.2s, I’ll just do the installation using onboard graphics and sort out my GPU later.