TC-885-UR12 - M.2 SSD - Steps to install fresh copy windows and set as boot drive

bebslm
bebslm Member Posts: 13 New User
edited March 1 in 2019 Archives
Brand new Desktop.  I will be installing a M.2 SSD to the motherboard (likely the Samsung 970 EVO).  Can someone please provide a basic, step-by-step instruction regarding the necessary steps- how to configure this drive in BIOS, install a fresh/clean copy of Windows to, set the BIOS to boot from it, and lastly to prepare the existing internal HDD (which currently contains windows) for storage.  If this topic has already been addressed, please provide a link to that thread(s).  Thank you

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  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,444 Trailblazer
    edited November 2018 Answer ✓
    Hi,
    I have attached links for creating a windows 10 installation media using Media creation Tool and the steps for changing Boot order in BIOS, after the installation of Windows10 on the new SSD, boot with it, go to Disk Management, right click your HDD and select format(which will delete all files on the drive), then right click the drive and create a new volume and assign a drive letter.
    1.Create an installation media(USB disk) using Media Creation Tool.
    2.Install the M.2 SSD, insert the USB disk.
    3.Go to BIOS(press Del as soon as you power on the PC) move to Boot tab using right arrow key, highlight USB disk by using down/up key, then press F6 key to move USB disk to first boot position, press F10 to save and exit.
    4.Reboot the PC, follow the prompts on the screen to install Windows 10, do not worry about Product key, it's already embedded in your system.
    5.Once you have completed installation, remove the USB disk, reboot and enter BIOS, make new SSD as your first boot device, again press F10 to save and exit.
    6.I would suggest you to remove old HDD and boot only with SSD to check everything works, then you can install the HDD and format it.
    https://uk.answers.acer.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7550/~/changing-boot-order
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html
  • bebslm
    bebslm Member Posts: 13 New User
    Thank you!  Now what about Acer's software, "System Reserve", hidden partitions, etc. that come from the factory on the HDD?  Should I just leave those small partitions on the HDD and only format the larger partition for storage in case I should need to access other partitions later?  Or should I transfer those over to the M.2 SSD as well?  I would have to clone those partitions if I wanted to move them over, correct?
  • brummyfan2
    brummyfan2 ACE Posts: 28,444 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    No problem, you are doing a clean install, so you will loose all  Acer software and you can not restore to the factory settings, if you want to keep all Acer software and intend to do a factory restore in future, you need to do migration, for that you can do the following:
    1.Download and install MiniTool Partition wizard free.
    2.Install the SSD and run MiniTool Partition wizard.
    3.Use Migrate feature to transfer the contents of HDD to new SSD.
    4.Boot with SSD(you need to make SSD as your first boot device in BIOS).
    5.Once you are happy with the migration, you can delete everything from HDD and use it for storage.
    https://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
    https://www.partitionwizard.com/help/migrate-os-to-ssd-hd.html
  • bebslm
    bebslm Member Posts: 13 New User
    Okay, so I can not simply leave the Acer software, etc. on the HDD (create a partition for it) and access them as necessary from the HDD?  And allocate the remaining space on HDD for storage.  Or does the HDD need to be 100% formatted?
  • I don't think so, you can not separate Acer software from the OEM installation which comes with the PC.
  • bebslm
    bebslm Member Posts: 13 New User
    Additionally, do I need to do any setup immediately following the installation of the M.2 SSD.  For example, anything in BIOS for the SSD to be recognized? or in DISK MANAGEMENT for the SSD to be initialized?  prior to installing Windows onto it and setting it as my BOOT drive?  Or do I install windows immediately after the SSD is installed?
  • bebslm
    bebslm Member Posts: 13 New User
    So just to clarify, the Acer software CAN remain on the HDD?
  • bebslm said:
    Additionally, do I need to do any setup immediately following the installation of the M.2 SSD.  For example, anything in BIOS for the SSD to be recognized? or in DISK MANAGEMENT for the SSD to be initialized?  prior to installing Windows onto it and setting it as my BOOT drive?  Or do I install windows immediately after the SSD is installed?
    Hi,
    No, you don't have to do anything in BIOS, if you are going to do a clean install, just boot with USB media you have created, installation process will initialise the drive.
  • bebslm said:
    So just to clarify, the Acer software CAN remain on the HDD?
    Hi,
    If you are going to do a clean installation, you will not be able to keep Acer Software, even if you keep them in HDD, you will not be able to access them, they are part of OEM installation license.
    On the other hand, if you use migration method, you will keep everything as it is on the HDD, including Acer Software, then you can format the HDD and use it for storage.
  • bebslm
    bebslm Member Posts: 13 New User
    What about using the eRecovery Media from the HDD to install operating system, drivers, software, etc. to SSD?
  • bebslm said:
    What about using the eRecovery Media from the HDD to install operating system, drivers, software, etc. to SSD?
    I am not sure about it, I think the eRecovery media is for carrying out factory restore, I don't know whether you can use it to recover the installation on another drive, sorry.
  • Ti98ger
    Ti98ger Member Posts: 1 New User
    Hello, I've got this page while installing win 10 pro on acer model Aspire E1-572G. I want this drive to be divided into 2 drives. But after clicking new button, no action is done. Help if you know. 
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 33,997 Trailblazer
    You shouldn't need to click new at this point, it should automatically populate the needed partitions. Is there a chance the drive is not setup as GPT? Easiest would be to wipe everything, install windows then shrink the C: drive enough to create your D: drive. You would want to have that data backed up first though.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.