Hello,
I've run into a problem with my HDD recently and I was told to upgrade to a new SSD for my Lenovo Y410p (Info: )
I purchased the Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD to replace the current failing HDD.
However, I can't get to the desktop right now due to HDD issues so I can't run the program to migrate the HDD image over to the SSD.
So the two questions I have are:
can I do a clean install of Windows 10 on my new SSD without cloning my HDD? (I upgraded to Windows 10 on my laptop already)
Also, is it okay to just simply replace a failing HDD with a new SSD without cloning the HDD over to the new SSD?
As you can tell, I'm not knowledgeable about computers so I apologize in advance.
Any help is appreciated!
Hello and welcome to windowssh blog
You can certainly do a clean install of W10 onto the new SSD. I would take out the old HDD completely before you do so that it does not end up interfering in the process. You can always add it back later to see if you can extract any data files from it.
The clean install process is outlined here: Windows 10 - Clean Install
You do not need to worry about product keys so just skip that step and when you have finished W10 will activate automatically because you have already had an activated W10 on your device and that information is associated with the motherboard not the previous HDD.
You will need to reload any programs you had and hopefully you had already backed up your data but if not you can re-attach your old HDD via a USB adapter and see if you can extract anything from it.
Before the HDD failed, I had to do a factory reset. But I either moved my important files to a USB or uploaded them online beforehand. I don't know if that counts as a data backup but all the programs and files I need are safely stored.
I've been worried that it was necessary for me to copy the HDD data to the new SSD.
Thank you so much for the quick reply!
It sounds like you are well prepared and have a copy of all your data. The other thing I should have said is that you might need to update the various drivers for your Laptop from the Manufacturer's website, however, it is quite possible that W10 will automatically load the best drivers for you. After you have installed you can check via the Device Manager to see if anything needs attention.
You have your data backed up. Your good to go. You'll just have to reinstall any programs you had on the HDD.Before the HDD failed, I had to do a factory reset. But I either moved my important files to a USB or uploaded them online beforehand. I don't know if that counts as a data backup but all the programs and files I need are safely stored.
Thank you for the replies!
Just a quick question on clean Windows 10 installation.
Right now, I can't boot up my laptop so how would i go about creating a bootable Windows 10 installation USB through Media Creation Tool?
That could be tricky - do you have access to another PC/laptop?Thank you for the replies!
Just a quick question on clean Windows 10 installation.
Right now, I can't boot up my laptop so how would i go about creating a bootable Windows 10 installation USB through Media Creation Tool?
I would ask a friend if they can help and use the following tutorial and pick option one to create a DVD or USB. Make sure you download the correct version for your system - Home or PRO, 64bit or 32bit, correct language.
Windows 10 ISO Download
Okay, I will borrow a friend's laptop.
Also, when it says Boot from USB, do I simply plug in the USB and power up my laptop with the new ssd?
Sorry about all these basic questions. My new ssd is coming tomorrow and I just want to make sure I know everything!
It depends if you laptop is setup so that it can boot from USB drives, you may have to make some changes in the BIOS to turn off Secure Boot. If your laptop has a DVD drive that will be the easiest way and you burn your ISO to a DVD. Due to the space on a DVD you will only be able to put one version so do not try to create one with both 32 and 64bit options.
Okay! Thank you so much!
I will update the post after trying ssd and win 10 installation tomorrow.
