How to Install Windows 10 on SSD Without Removing HDD on Laptop & PC

To install Windows 10 on SSD without removing HDD, you can follow two ways. The article details disk cloning and clean Windows 10 installation to migrate data OS to SSD without removing the HDD.

An SSD upgrade improves performance and reduces heat and power consumption. But what about the data on the old HDD? How can we transfer it? While disk cloning software directly migrates all data, if you want to install Windows 10 on an SSD without removing HDD, EaseUS will describe how to get that. Learn the procedure below.

Can I Install Windows on SSD Without Removing Old HDD

"Hey, I want to install Windows 10 on my new SSD without removing the HDD. I made a bootable USB installation media. I want to remove the OS files on the old HDD, but I want to keep the drive. I need help to install Windows 10 on SSD without removing the old HDD."

Yes, cloning and clean installation can install Windows 10 on an SSD without removing the old SSD. Disk cloning allows you to easily migrate the HDD data and OS, and a fresh/clean install uses a USB flash drive as installation media.

If your original drive is your boot drive, you can directly clone your old drive to a new one without reinstalling Windows and removing the old drive because cloning can help you transfer data from one hard drive to SSD, including data and installed OS. If your original HDD is a storage media, you can directly install Windows 10 on a new SSD without any worries.

Clone HDD to New SSD Without Reinstalling Windows 10

For non-tech-savvy people, manual Windows 10 installation (a clean/fresh install) with a USB flash drive is complex and risky. Any mishaps will damage the drive and put the data at risk. The advisable way is to utilize reliable disk cloning software to migrate the operating system and contents to the new drive.

EaseUS Disk Copy is professional disk clone software that can migrate data, clone disks, and transfer data from one disk to another. Advanced methods like bit-by-bit cloning, migrating, and disk cloning help you install Windows 10 new SSD without removing the HDD. Cloning allows you to boot the Windows PC directly without any reinstallation. 

As one of the best disk cloning tools, EaseUS disk clone software lets you easily transfer your boot drive to another drive and upgrade your original disk to a larger one. Free download it to your computer and try to clone your Windows to another disk by following the steps below:

Prior Notice:

• The "Sector by sector copy" asks the size of your destination disk to be at least equal to or larger than that of the source disk. Leave this feature unchecked if you wish to clone a larger hard disk to a smaller hard disk.
• All data on the destination disk will be completely erased, so take care.

Step 1. To start copying/cloning an entire disk to another, choose this disk as the source disk under "Disk Mode" and click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the other disk as the destination disk.

Step 3. Check the disk layout of the two disks. You can manage the disk layout of the destination disk by selecting "Autofit the disk", "Copy as the source" or "Edit disk layout". 

• "Autofit the disk" makes some changes by default on the destination disk layout so that it can work at its best status.
• "Copy as the source"does not change anything on destination disk and the layout is the same as source disk.
• "Edit disk layout" allows you to manually resize/move partition layout on this destination disk.

Tick the "Check the option if the target is SSD" option to put your SSD in its best performance.

A message now appears, warning you that data will be lost. Please confirm this message by clicking "OK" and then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to officially execute the task.

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Fresh Install Windows 10 on SSD Without Removing HDD

A clean install installs Windows 10 on the new drive with a CD. Today's commercial laptops do not have CD drives, so you need a USB installation media to perform a clean/fresh installation to install Windows 10 on a new hard drive from a USB drive. USB is a better alternative as it is portable and safer than CDs. The procedure involves downloading Windows 10 installation files on USB and using it to perform a fresh installation.

Part 1. Create Windows 10 Installation Media using USB

If you have a USB flash drive ready for Windows 10 installation, you can proceed to step 2. If not, follow the procedure below to create one.

Step 1. Go to the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool website and download it.

Step 2. Accept the terms and conditions in the "Applicable notices and license terms" window.

Step 3. Choose the Create installation media and click Next. You need an external device like USB, DVD, or ISO file to store the media.

Step 4. Choose the Language, Architecture, and Windows Edition. If you tick Use the recommended options for this PC, depending on the region and latest version, Windows will choose the recommended options.

Step 5: Choose which media to use window, select USB flash Drive, and click Next.

Step 6. Select the USB flash drive for installing Windows 10 and click Next.

Step 7. After downloading the Windows 10 installation files to the drive, it will create the Windows 10 media.

Step 8. After completing the media, the installation media will be ready.

Part 2. Boot the PC using a USB flash drive

Step 1. Turn off the PC, install the new SSD, and insert the USB flash drive.

Step 2. Boot the PC with the BIOS key. The BIOS key can be F2, F10, F12, or Delete depending on the brand.

Step 3. Wait until the BIOS screen appears. Go to Boot Manager and set the installation USB as the first boot device. 

Step 4. Press F10 to save changes. The PC will boot from the USB installation media once you exit the BIOS.

Part 3. Install Windows 10 on SSD from bootable USB flash drive

Step 1. After you change the boot order, the PC boots from the USB and invokes the Windows Setup. Select the language, time, and currency format, as well as the keyboard or input method. Click Next to proceed.

Step 2. Click on "Install Now".

Step 3. Windows asks you for a Windows 10 product key for activation. Enter the product key. If you don't have a product key, click "I don't have a product key" and complete the activation later.

Step 4. Select the Windows 10 version you want to install, accept the terms, and click Next.

Step 5. Select the Custom installation for fresh/clean Windows installation. It will wipe out all data on the SSD and install the Windows 10 version you want.

Step 6. Wait for the Windows 10 to install. Once finished, the PC will reboot again.

Step 7. As soon as Windows 10 reboots, press and hold the BIOS (F2, F10, F12, Del) key to change the boot order. Select the SSD drive as the boot device.

Step 8. After Windows reboot, select the region and keyboard layout, and hit Yes.

Part 4. Complete the Setup

After installation, it is time to complete the Windows setup so that it usually functions. The OS will now throw instructions on how to complete the setup. Answer the questions and create an account to log into Windows 10. Now, let Windows prepare everything for you, and it will redirect you to the desktop.

This is all about how to install Windows 10 on an SSD via clean installation. It is time-consuming and tricky, so it is recommended to pick the disk cloning method above.

To Wrap Things Up

A fresh/clean Windows 10 install requires a proper guide to complete the process. The article details how to install Windows 10 on SSD without removing HDD. Installing Windows is complex, so do not miss the steps to install it without hassle. Cloning the hard disk is an easier alternative to a clean/fresh install on an SSD without removing the HDD. With EaseUS Disk Copy, you can complete the entire cloning process in three steps. Get Disk Copy and upgrade to the new SSD without any hassle.

FAQs on Install Windows on SSD Without Removing HDD

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on how to install Windows 10 on SSD without removing the HDD.

1. Will installing Windows 10 on an SSD delete everything?

Windows 10 installation will reformat the SSD and remove everything, including documents, photos, etc. To avoid data loss, creating system images or backup files is recommended. Also, while installing Windows, keep the old data to retrieve it. 

2. How do you install Windows 10 on a new SSD without losing data?

You must keep the old data to install Windows 10 without losing data. Backup the vital data on the old SSD to a safe place. After installing Windows 10 on the new drive, restore the data on the new SSD. A much better option is to clone, as it transfers all the data to the new SSD without reinstalling Windows.

3. Should I remove HDD after installing SSD?

No, removing an HDD after installing an SSD is not necessary. A clean Windows install helps you install SSD without removing the HDD. However, it is recommended to create a system image to backup crucial files to restore in case of mishaps.

4. Do I need to reinstall Windows if I install SSD?

Yes, Windows reinstallation is necessary to upgrade the SSD. We need to initialize the SSD and install Windows to boot the PC. Make sure to backup vital data and initialize the new SSD. To switch to a new SSD without reinstalling, clone your HDD to SSD with EaseUS Disk Copy.