I recently removed an M.2 SSD from my gaming laptop, which I primarily used for storing all my games. My operating system is installed on the internal storage, so I was a bit surprised when my laptop booted up to a black screen for a couple of minutes before starting normally. I didn't unplug the battery; I just turned off the laptop and took out the SSD. Now, I'm seeing all the game shortcuts on my desktop, but since I removed the SSD, they shouldn't work. I'm wondering if there's anything else I need to do or any advice for managing this situation better.
1 Answer
It sounds like the shortcuts on your desktop are still there, but they won't work since the games are no longer installed on that SSD. You can safely delete those widgets. If you want to declutter a bit, you might want to head to your settings and uninstall the games from your apps list. Just keep in mind that some may have saved data lurking in your documents folder, so check that too if you're uninstalling. If you're looking for a fresh start, reinstalling Windows could be the cleanest option.
Will reinstalling essentially debloat and remove any suspected malware?