How to Change the Default Boot Drive on Windows 10 | Updated Guide

If your Windows 10 is installed on a smaller hard drive, you may notice that your computer becomes slower over time due to the accumulation of data on it. In such a scenario, upgrading your primary/default hard drive with a larger one can be an effective solution.

However, replacing the hard drive might result in the loss of system files, programs, and other personal files. Don't panic. This article from tools will guide you on how to change the main hard drive in Windows 10 without data loss or re-installing Windows. Rush to learn now!

Download Disk Clone Software Here

What to Do Before Swapping Primary Hard Drives

When you decide to switch your main hard drive, you must prepare beforehand. Pay special attention to the following:

1. **Backup data on the old drive.** It's advisable to create a data backup on the old drive to prevent any potential data loss. You can use built-in Windows backup utilities or third-party tools like **Todo Backup** for this purpose. However, for more comprehensive and advanced features, it's highly recommended to use a dedicated backup software tool. 2. **Choose the hard drive type.** Should you opt for an **HDD (Hard Disk Drive)** or an **SSD (Solid State Drive)**? If you prioritize high capacity at a lower cost, an HDD would be more suitable. On the other hand, if you're looking for better performance, an SSD is the better choice. Additionally, make sure the interface of the new drive is compatible with your computer when selecting one. Lastly, consider the storage capacity of the new drive; generally, 500GB is sufficient for installing the operating system, saving data, and future updates.

Once you have the new hard drive, you can set it as your primary hard disk on Windows 10.

How to Change the Default Hard Drive on Windows 10

To set a primary hard drive in Windows 10 or designate a hard drive as the primary, you can perform a clean installation of Windows on the new SSD/HDD. Alternatively, you can switch the primary hard drive by migrating the OS to another disk using a tool like AOMEI Backupper. These are the most common and practical methods for installing Windows on a new hard drive. Please refer to the guide below for a comprehensive understanding.

Method 1: Clone Old Drive to New Drive Without Reinstalling

Cloning is a more straightforward and faster way to install Windows since cloning a hard drive enables you to transfer data from one hard drive to another without re-installing the OS or losing data, and it makes the target drive bootable. However, if you prefer the cloning method, you'll need to use a third-party disk cloning software like AOMEI Backupper Home Edition, as Windows does not have built-in cloning options.

Tools Disk Copy is a specialized cloning utility designed for Windows computers. It aids in cloning your disks, systems, and even in creating a new SSD C drive. Furthermore, it facilitates upgrading to a larger hard drive and cloning a hard drive with bad sectors by employing sector-by-sector cloning technology. Here are some key features of this cloning tool.

A disk cloning tool software can be perfect for you if you intend to switch your boot drive or primary drive. It enables you to transfer everything from one drive to another with just a few easy steps. Make sure to download it on your computer and start using it today. Here's how to utilize it to clone your old drive to a new one: 1. **Download and Install the Software**: Visit the official website of the cloning tool and download the appropriate version for your operating system. Install it on your PC. 2. **Prepare the New Drive**: Get an SSD or HDD that will serve as your new boot drive. Ensure it has enough capacity to accommodate all data from the old drive. 3. **Connect Both Drives**: Connect both the old and new drives to your computer. You may need a USB-to-SATA adapter or an external dock, depending on the drive types. 4. **Launch the Cloning Tool**: Open the cloned software and look for the "Clone" or "Disk Copy" option in the main menu. 5. **Select Source and Destination Drives**: In the cloning wizard, choose your old drive as the source and the new drive as the destination. 6. **Review and Confirm Settings**: Before proceeding, review the drive selection to ensure you've chosen the correct drives. Some tools may also give you options to optimize the clone process, like sector-by-sector cloning or resizing partitions. 7. **Start the Cloning Process**: Click on "Clone" or "Start" to initiate the transfer. This process may take some time, depending on the size of your data and the speed of your drives. 8. **Monitor Progress**: Keep an eye on the progress bar and do not interrupt the process until it's complete. 9. **Verify the Clone**: After the cloning is finished, use a disk utility tool to verify the contents of the new drive match the old one. 10. **Boot from the New Drive**: To make the new drive your boot drive, you might need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings. Save the changes and restart your computer. Now, you have successfully cloned your old drive to a new one. Remember to safely remove the old drive once you're confident everything is working correctly with the new one.

Activate the Disk Copy tool for a seamless disk copying or cloning process.

1. Download, install, and run the Disk Copy tool on your computer. Click on Disk Mode and select the source disk that you wish to copy or clone. Click Next to proceed.

2. Choose the destination disk where you wish to clone/copy the old disk, then click "Next" to proceed. Click "OK" to confirm if the program prompts you to erase data on the target disk.

3. Review and edit the disk layout as either 'Autofit the disk', 'Copy as the source', or 'Edit disk layout'. It is recommended to choose 'Autofit the disk'.

Here are the translations for the provided languages: 1.
• Copy as the source option will copy/clone the same layout of partitions on your source disk to the destination disk.
Translation: The "Copy as source" option will copy/clone the identical partition layout from your source disk to the destination disk. 2.
• Edit disk layout allows you to manually resize or move partition layout on the destination disk.
Translation: The "Edit disk layout" option lets you manually adjust the size or position of partitions on the destination disk. 3.
• If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to tick Check the option if the target is SSD.
Translation: If your destination disk is an SSD, make sure to check the option indicating that the target is an SSD.

Click Proceed to start the disk cloning or disk copying process immediately.

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Method 2: Clean Install Windows 10 on a New Drive

To perform a clean/fresh install of Windows 10 on a new hard drive, you'll need a USB drive with a capacity of at least 8GB. First, you'll have to create a Windows 10 bootable USB using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Additionally, you should have your Windows product key ready to activate Windows after the installation process.

Alright, generally speaking, a clean installation of Windows 10 involves three parts:

Here are the translations of the languages you provided in English:
• Creating a bootable USB for Windows 10.
• Booting your computer from the USB.
• Installing Windows 10 on the new drive.

If you need more detailed information on this, refer to the article below.

How to Install Windows 10 on a New Hard Drive from USB

This article will guide you through installing Windows 10 on a new hard drive using a USB and provide a better method for assistance. Read more >>

It's worth mentioning that whether you clone your Windows to a new hard drive or perform a clean installation of Windows 10 on a new drive, you'll need to swap the old drive with the new one and set the target disk as the first boot drive in the BIOS settings. Following this, you'll be able to successfully boot from the new drive and change your primary/startup disk.

To conclude

This article outlines how to change the main hard drive in Windows 10. Feel free to choose the method that suits you best. It's worth mentioning that cloning is a superior option compared to performing a clean installation. This is because cloning enables you to transfer everything to a new disk without the need to re-install the operating system or applications.

To clone a hard drive, you'll need a pro cloning software like Disk Copy. This tool lets you clone a drive easily and quickly, no fuss. It also helps fix issues where the cloned drive shows the wrong size. Just download it and give it a shot! You'll see how helpful it is!

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing the Primary Hard Drive on Windows 10

**1. How do you change the default hard drive in Windows 10?** To change the default hard drive in Windows 10, follow these steps: 1. **Open File Explorer**: Click on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar or press `Windows + E` keys. 2. **Navigate to This PC**: In the left pane, click on "This PC" or "Computer." 3. **Right-click on the desired drive**: Select the hard drive you want to set as the default and right-click on it. 4. **Select "Set as default location"**: If available, choose "Set as default location" from the context menu. If this option is not present: - Click on "Properties." - Go to the "Location" tab (if it exists). Not all drive types will have this tab. - Click on "Move" and choose a folder within the target drive to set it as the default save location for specific file types. - Confirm your choice in the dialog box that appears. 5. **Change default save locations for specific file types**: To change the default save location for certain file types like Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos, follow these steps: - Click on the "Start" button and select "Settings" (the gear icon). - Click on "System" and then "Storage." - Under "Save locations," click on the "Change" link next to each file type you want to modify. - Select the new default drive from the drop-down menu. Remember that changing the default drive may require administrative privileges, and some system files and settings might still be stored on the previous default drive.

To change the primary hard drive in Windows 10:

1. Go to the Control Panel and select System and Security. 2. You'll see the Advanced System Settings window. Click 'Advanced', then click 'Settings' under 'Startup and Recovery.' 3. In the 'System Startup' section, click the 'Edit' button. This will open the Windows Boot Manager. 4. Choose the hard drive you wish to set as the primary drive, then click 'Set as Default.' 5. Finally, click 'OK,' and you have successfully changed your primary hard drive in Windows 10.

Generally, it's recommended to use an SSD as your primary drive for installing Windows and programs. This will significantly boost the performance of your operating system compared to using an HDD.

The answer is yes, you can indeed run your PC solely with an SSD. SSDs are significantly faster in terms of reading and writing speeds compared to HDDs. Consequently, many computer users prefer a combination of both SSD and HDD. The SSD is used for installing the operating system, like Windows, while the HDD is utilized for storing files. However, the choice between using an HDD or an SSD ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.