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Resolved Question

How to delete OS without formatting

Oct 26, 2011 1:45PM PDT

Hi, I have an order coming in from newegg to build my wife a new comp. I am going to use her old HD but got a 64gb SSD that I want to put win7 64 on.

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Best Answer

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I see you found out this is not supported.
Oct 26, 2011 1:47PM PDT

Why not Easy Transfer?

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Doesn't help
Oct 26, 2011 4:36PM PDT

That would be a good idea with the exception of the 64gb ssd can't hold the 500gb worth of programs/files on the other hd. I want both hard drives (old one and new) in the new computer but don't want to have both versions of the os.

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That you can do.
Oct 27, 2011 12:33AM PDT

Since the OS is just sitting there taking up space and the real copy of the OS is on the new drive you can use Explorer to find the Windows folder on the 500GB and delete that. Same for other things.

Yes you may have to learn about file and folder permissions and ownership but that's a basic windows skill.

I think you wanted to keep the Programs. As you know, this is not supported. Files? Yes. Apps or programs rarely survive.
Bob

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If You're Going To Use The SSD As The Only Boot Drive And...
Oct 27, 2011 12:33AM PDT

...the other drive will simply be a "slave" type of drive, all you really need to do is delete the "Windows" folder from the slave after you set up the new drive.. Be sure to unplug the slave drive from the system when you install the SSD and the new operating system to it. Once that's done, change the jumpers on the old drive to "slave", if needed, plug in the old drive to the system, and since it's not setup as boot drive on the new system, it should simply show up as a set of files and folders from which you can delete any you like. Deleting any unwanted folders, such as the Windows folder, shouldn't cause any issues.

It is important to note that any programs will not function from the slave drive. The "files" will be there, but they won't run as programs. They must be reinstalled to the main drive using the original program installation CD or installer file.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Thank you
Oct 27, 2011 3:36AM PDT

That's exactly what I needed to know. Thank you very much for the information!