I Have SSD And HDD Both. If I Set Windows On SSD, Will HDD Format?

I installed a new SSD on my Windows 10 computer, and now it has both HDD and SSD in it. I am wondering if I set the Windows OS on the new SSD, will the original HDD be formatted?

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Larissa· Answered on Jan 05, 2024

No, setting up Windows on your SSD will not automatically format your HDD. During the installation process, you will be prompted to choose the drive on which to install Windows. You can install the operating system on your SSD while leaving your HDD alone. 

However, take care during the installation procedure to avoid formatting or wiping any data on your HDD.

Here are some practical actions to take to avoid mistakenly formatting your HDD when installing Windows on your SSD:

  • Disconnect your HDD during Windows installation.
  • Verify drive selection during installation.
  • Skip formatting options.
  • Verify drive letters and data.

If you already have Windows OS on the HDD and don't want to reinstall Windows or lose other installed programs, then you can choose to clone OS from HDD to SSD. This action ensures that all your data are preserved, and the HDD won't be formatted.

EaseUS Disk Copy is a perfect tool to assist you in doing the task. It is a robust and professional disk cloning program that can clone Windows OS from HDD to SSD with a few clicks.

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Step 1. Launch EaseUS Disk Copy, and select the Partition Mode.

Step 2. Choose the partition where the Windows OS is stored as the source partition and the new SSD as the target disk, and click Next.

Step 3. Check the partition layout and click Proceed to start the disk cloning process.

You can restart your laptop after the operation is complete and use a hotkey to access the BIOS settings. If you select an SSD as the boot disk, your device will successfully boot from the newly cloned SSD.

The Windows OS can then be deleted from the HDD, allowing you to utilize it as a storage device. Start your disk cloning procedure right away by downloading EaseUS Disk Copy.

🔗Related Article: How to Use SSD and HDD Together at the Same Time

Download the smartest and easiest Disk Cloning Software

Use EaseUS Disk Copy to upgrade small HDD, replace old/failed hard drive, migrate OS, clone HDD to SSD without reinstalling data.

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Support Windows 11/10/8/7

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