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How to choose the hard drive to use by default in Windows?

Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member -  
dachiasse Posted messages 1932 Status Member -
Hello,

I acquired a new PC this week, I installed Windows as well as all my software, however I realized today that the operating system and everything else was installed on the HDD drive (even though the PC contains an M.2 SSD), anyway I managed to make an exact copy of the HDD to the SSD using a software.

Except now I find myself with Windows installed on both hard drives! I would like to format the HDD since I no longer need what is on it as everything is on the SSD, but I can't because Windows is using it to run the OS (I obviously can't format the drive that has the Windows I am using on it)

I tried to boot the system from the SSD via the BIOS, as well as checked that the SSD was indeed set as the default boot disk in the BIOS, but even though Windows launches correctly, nothing works, it remains active on the HDD,

I have searched everywhere for a solution and I haven't found anything effective,

If someone can help me I thank you in advance! :)

Tom

18 answers

  1.
    jumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 619
     
    Hello,
    are you able to boot from the SSD?
    please post a screenshot of the disk management.
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  2. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Hello, thank you for your quick response!
    Yes, if I boot from the SSD in the BIOS, no problem...
    And here is the capture

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    1. jumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 619
       
      In theory, if you delete the 3 partitions on the hard drive, you shouldn't have any problem booting from the SSD.
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      1. jumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 619 > jumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        However, are you booting from the hard drive and not the SSD?
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      2. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member > jumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Yes, that's right, I can manually boot from the SSD using the BIOS, but Windows remains the default on the HDD.
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      3. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member > jumulka Posted messages 12090 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Windows refuses to let me delete them because it's running on it.
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  3. Latifa
     
    Hello,

    The boot files are on the HDD
    and are not on the SSD

    You need to recreate these boot files on the SSD
    there are several methods

    You need the same version of Windows that you have on a USB drive or DVD
    Turn off your PC
    Disconnect the HDD and leave only the SSD CONNECTED.

    Boot from the USB as if you are installing Windows but without installing it
    Now, you need to navigate to the recovery options of Windows 10

    open the advanced recovery options.
    Option to repair the boot of Windows 10

    And Windows will repair the boot, and you follow the instructions, then the PC restarts; you need to restart it without the USB and your Windows is OK

    then when you see everything is OK AFTER TESTING YOUR REBOOT you can reconnect your HDD and format it if you wish because it is no longer useful for using your SSD

    https://www.malekal.com/reparer-demarrage-de-windows-10/
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  4. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Hello,

    Thank you for your detailed response, however I am unable to unplug my HDD...

    You mentioned several solutions, is there not a simpler one that does not involve unplugging the HDD?

    Thank you very much.
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    1. Latifa
       
      Why can't you unplug your HDD
      a hard drive is easily replaced
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  6. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    I couldn't find the physical location of the HDD because it's a pre-assembled PC, but I found it. However, the procedure for the repair and changing the boot isn't very clear to me; I'm afraid of making a mistake...

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    1. Latifa
       
      do you know how to recognize your HDD? If so,
      there are two cables connected, you just need to unplug those 2 cables.
      If it's too complicated or you're unsure, then we can move on to something else.
      But it’s really simple to do.

      PS always unplug the power cord before touching the inside.
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  7. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    I feel like it's the one in the previous photo; I can try to unplug it, but first, I need to install Windows on a USB stick, right?

    How can I be sure it's the same version as the one I'm using, and how do I go about repairing Windows 10?

    Sorry for all these questions, but I'm not used to tinkering with PCs.
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    1. Latifa
       
      In your first message, you say you installed Windows
      'I installed Windows as well as all my software'

      How did you do it, with what did you install Windows

      If you are not sure you know what you are doing, then don't touch anything, don't unplug the drive

      You need to go through a reinstallation of Windows on the SSD
      but before doing anything, how and with what did you install Windows
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  8. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    I had installed it on a USB stick via this page:
    https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows10ISO

    When I turned on the PC for the first time, Windows was automatically installed on the HDD,
    yesterday I copied everything from the HDD to the SSD (using a small program)

    The two drives are currently identical and Windows is properly installed on the SSD, I presume.
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    1. Latifa
       
      'I had installed it on a USB stick'

      So you do have Windows on a stick

      To put it simply, the information that Windows needs to start is on the HDD. That’s why your Windows on the SSD NEEDS THE HDD

      The active partition and the boot sequence are on the HDD

      So it’s impossible to boot from the SSD without the HDD

      The goal is to write the boot sequence onto the SSD to boot Windows from the SSD

      So do you have Windows on a stick, yes or no?
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  9. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Yes, I have it on a USB drive.
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    1. Latifa
       
      ok so we can proceed to an installation
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  10. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Finally, I have the ISO file; I can't imagine a complete Windows.
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    1. Latifa
       
      I don't understand you right now

      but if you have the ISO, not the complete Windows

      Even with the ISO, we can do something, but don't worry when you say it's not complete
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  12. Latifa
     
    To keep it simple and quick

    if you have the complete ISO we will install Windows with the ISO without the USB key

    if you do have the ISO
    start your PC from the SSD as you know how to do
    WARNING MAKE SURE TO START FROM THE SSD

    Then extract the ISO into a folder but on the HDD drive. Do not extract it into a folder on the SSD

    OK
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    1. Latifa
       
      When you have decompressed the ISO and booted from the SSD

      we continue
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  13. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Is it possible to proceed via the USB drive (because I think the ISO file is on it)

    Here's a photo of what the USB drive contains

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    1. Latifa
       
      Well, it's not obvious like that, I'm not a fortune teller, but I think it's fine.

      Start your PC on the SSD, we're going to initiate the reinstallation with the USB key.
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  14. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Is it done, am I going to lose my data?
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    1. Latifa
       
      Normally not
      besides, you have everything on the HDD since you made a copy

      but let's make sure to start the installation without losing any data or programs

      you plug in the USB key and launch the setup.exe file

      this will start the installation

      just follow the steps, nothing complicated

      the installer will check that everything is alright
      Then you will have to choose the installation without data loss
      Choose the correct option before clicking ok and then you just have to follow the instructions
      and ask if you don't know what to do, I’m here
      We're almost there, keep me updated
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  15. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    Thank you for your help! I've started the installation and I'm at this stage, but since my HDD is still connected to the computer case, I'm worried it will reinstall on it. Can I go ahead and click "install"?
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    1. Latifa
       
      No risk since you started on the SSD partition

      So Windows installs only on that one, that's why I asked you to start on the SSD

      Follow the steps and when you don't know, ask me. It's a bit long, but now we can't stop; we have to go all the way to the end

      Click on install
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      1. Latifa > Latifa
         
        During the installation, Windows will restart several times, so it's normal—don't touch anything and let it do its thing. Even if you get a black screen, let it work; it’s still processing.
        And if you have any choices to make and you're unsure, just ask me.
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  16. Latifa
     
    I have a question, did you see the 2 cables connected to your disk

    Because to check that everything is correct and that the boot is indeed on the SSD

    The best thing is to disconnect the HDD and start normally to see that everything is correct and that Windows boots normally

    But we will do this when Windows has finished installing
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    1. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
       
      Do you think I can try unplugging the HDD to see if I can still boot Windows with just the SSD?
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      1. Latifa > Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
         
        You can always try, but I doubt you will get an error message unless Windows offers a repair directly.

        In any case, you will need to unplug your HDD to solve this problem.
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  17. Tom_3333 Posted messages 16 Status Member
     
    The reinstallation of Windows has just finished, but the OS is still active on the HDD, I don't understand :(

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    1. Latifa
       
      But the OS is still active on the HDD, I don't understand. I suspected this a bit because your HDD is used to boot the SSD.

      That's why it's important to disconnect the HDD.

      We can do the same thing again, but this time we need to
      1 - disconnect the HDD
      2 - and boot from the USB drive LIKE when installing Windows.

      At least you have the USB drive with Windows.
      Boot from the USB drive as if you were installing Windows, but without installing it.
      Now you need to navigate through the Windows 10 recovery options.

      Open the advanced recovery options.
      Option to repair the Windows 10 boot
      but without the HDD.
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  18. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 702
     
    Hello,

    Launching the exe with both hard drives connected only resulted in updating the system.

    ----------
    Initially, you should have installed by disconnecting the HDD and in customized mode, choosing your SSD, then after installation, reconnecting your HDD.

    > If you choose automatic installation instead of customized, there's a chance that Windows installs on the HDD (which is what happened)
    > In customized mode, we choose which disk to install on, but even if we choose the SSD, the installation will still place necessary startup files on the neighboring HDD (that's why you need to disconnect the HDD during installation)

    This is to give you a general idea.

    -----------

    Currently,

    > either you reinstall from scratch on the SSD after disconnecting the HDD.
    You will need to reinstall your programs, data... then clear the HDD.

    > or you specify how you did this so-called "exact copy," with which software and option choices.
    Because a simple copy of the partitions won't work, as resources will be missing.
    Only a true complete disk cloning would work.
    (there are few free cloning software left, so you might have used a program that copied but didn't clone)

    And as for testing, this should be done manually at first to be sure.
    Disconnect the HDD and see if the PC starts up fine with only the SSD.
    This after your future tests
    (test your current pseudo copy, or if we go back to your cloning depending on your responses)

    Auto message
    Without regular feedback from you... you can always refer to article 22 ;-)
    Mini In relation to the volunteers who help you: Respond, Respect, Politeness,...
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    1. Latifa
       
      Yes, but I suggested it to him and he was hesitant because he didn’t know, so we took the risk of trying this method.

      Now we just have to unplug the HDD.

      On the other hand, we can repair the boot without the HDD.
      And we can reinstall without data loss and without the HDD.

      Personally, I prefer a boot repair that is much faster, and Windows has already been freshly reinstalled.
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      1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 702 > Latifa
         
        Yes, the person doesn't know.

        For example, given their comments during the installation, the person only knows how to click on "install Windows" and has no knowledge of the difference with "custom installation" just below (which would have been useful during their first installation).
        And so on.
        Therefore, to follow up, I was giving them general information (summary) to understand.

        But regarding repairs, it's complicated because we don't really know what has been done and what "compliant copy" means.
        In my opinion, it's not cloning.

        It's possible to simplify and make it understandable for their level, to redo this pseudo-cloning.
        Wipe their SSD and do a proper cloning again.
        Then test the PC's boot with the SSD (HDD unplugged).
        If it works, we will need to wipe their HDD.

        Everything is possible...
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      2. Latifa > gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         
        Yes, but in the installation method that I proposed to him, you cannot customize the installation; it's not a classic boot installation, which is complete.
        Here we installed Windows from the Windows interface, which is different and without the option to choose the partition.

        I am more in favor of a startup repair.
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      3. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 702 > Latifa
         
        I know, but as mentioned, a summary of information so that Tom_3333 understands his fundamental mistake, the issue, and where these manipulations are leading.
        (People who don't understand usually disappear right from the first unsuccessful attempt, so he should know that these are the right ideas and not look elsewhere)
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      4. Latifa > gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention  
         
        Finally, the essential thing is to find a solution to his problem

        We're just standing still because we find ourselves back at square one

        But I remain hopeful, nothing is dead as long as it is not buried, it's up to him to choose
        Best regards
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  19. dachiasse Posted messages 1932 Status Member 153
     
    Hello,

    Latifa's idea of reinstalling is good. But she forgot to ask you to perform the installation with only the SSD connected. That would have spared you the message 31.

    You can first use the HDD as a backup drive. Or as additional storage if your SSD isn't sufficient for your daily data. But a backup drive is always useless until we find ourselves looking foolish in the face of data loss.
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