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How to Install Windows 10 on a Second Hard Drive | 2 Methods?

This tutorial will provide a comprehensive guide on installing Windows 10 on a second hard drive/Solid State Drive (SSD). You can utilize the Partition Master tool for a quick OS migration or the Windows Media Creation Tool to create an installation USB or CD. 1. **Using Partition Master for Quick OS Migration:** - Download and install tools Partition Master Home Edition (a popular partition management tool) from their official website. - Launch the software and select the primary hard drive where your current Windows is installed. - Create a new partition on the second hard drive/SSD by right-clicking on unallocated space and choosing "Create New Partition." - Format the new partition with the NTFS file system, ensuring it meets Windows 10's requirements. - In Partition Master, choose "Migrate OS" from the top menu, then follow the on-screen instructions to select the target partition (your second hard drive/SSD). - Review the settings, and once confirmed, click "Execute Operation" and "Apply" to start the migration process. The computer may restart during this process. 2. **Creating an Installation Media with Windows Media Creation Tool:** - Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. - Run the downloaded executable file and agree to the terms. - Choose "Create installation media for another PC" and select your preferred language, edition, and architecture for Windows 10. - Select "USB flash drive" as the media type and plug in your USB drive (make sure it has enough space). - Choose your USB drive from the list and click "Next." The tool will now download the necessary files and create a bootable USB installer. - Once the process completes, eject the USB drive and restart your computer with the second hard drive/SSD connected. - Enter your BIOS or UEFI settings and change the boot order to prioritize booting from USB. - Save changes and exit. Your computer should now boot from the USB drive. 3. **Installing Windows 10 on the Second Hard Drive/SSD:** - Follow the on-screen prompts during the Windows setup process, including selecting your region, keyboard layout, and accepting the license agreement. - When asked to choose the installation type, select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)." - In the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, select the empty partition on your second hard drive/SSD and click "Next." - The installation will proceed, formatting the selected partition and installing Windows 10. - After the installation completes, remove the USB drive, and your computer will boot into the freshly installed Windows 10 on the second hard drive/SSD. Remember to backup your important data before attempting any installation or migration process.

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on April 22, 2024

PAGE CONTENT:

How to Install Windows 10 on a Second Hard Drive
Reasons to Install Windows 10 on a Second Hard Drive

Can you install Windows 10 on a second hard drive? Installing Windows 10 on a secondary hard drive offers various advantages, such as the ability to dual-boot the system and liberate space on the primary hard drive. Tools Software provides two efficient methods to install Windows 10 on a second hard drive or SSD. Continue reading for detailed, step-by-step guidelines.

 Important: The procedures in this guide are based on the official Microsoft method for installing Windows from a USB drive. Furthermore, we have provided a more detailed and comprehensive walkthrough. You can confidently rely on this tutorial.

How to Install Windows 10 on a Second Hard Drive

This tutorial covers two solutions to install Windows on a second hard drive/SSD: a third-party OS migration tool - tools Partition Master, and a Microsoft tool - Microsoft Media Creation Tool, to create a Windows 10 installation disk.

Method	tools Partition Master	Microsoft Media Creation Tool
⏱️Duration	5-8 minutes	More than 10 minutes
?Suitable System	Target system and original system are the same	Installing a different system
?‍?Suitable users	All users	Computer experts

Both methods can cater to your needs, but Method 1 provides a simpler and quicker solution by utilizing a professional system migration tool. Let's explore how each method functions.

To explore additional methods for installing Windows without a product key, refer to the following article:

How to Install Windows 10 Without Product Key

You can install Windows 10 without a product key by downloading the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. This page provides a comprehensive guide on how to do it.

Method 1: Install Windows on a Second Hard Drive Without Using a USB

The tool Partition Master provides the function of Migrate OS - this feature enables you to have a Windows 10 system on a second hard drive without re-installing the Windows operating system and applications. Whether it's an SSD or an HDD, the tool streamlines the process and saves time when setting up a Windows system.

Download the tool Partition Master and install Windows 10 on a second hard drive without using a USB:

Note: When there isn't enough unallocated space on the target disk, the operation of migrating OS to SSD or HDD will delete and remove existing partitions and data on that disk. If you have important data stored there, back it up to an external hard drive beforehand.

Step 1. From the left menu, select "Clone". Choose "Migrate OS" and click "Next" to proceed.

Step 2. Select the target disk that you want to clone. Click "Next".

Step 3. Click "Yes" after reading the warning message. This will erase all data and partitions on the target disk. Make sure you have backed up important data beforehand. If not, do so now.

Select the destination disk

< strong > Step 4. < /strong> Preview the layout of your target disk. You can also click the disk layout options to customize the layout of your target disk as desired. Then, click "Start" to begin migrating your OS to a new disk.

Step 5. When you see a confirmation message asking "If you want to start up computer from the clone target disk", check "Adjust the order to boot from the clone target disk" and click the corresponding button based on your needs.

Reboot Now: This means to restart the PC and boot the operating system from the new disk immediately.
Done: This means to apply the changes at a later time.

After cloning, the Partition Master tool will ask if you want to set the drive as a boot disk. You can select this option based on your requirements.

Method 2: Create a Windows 10 Installation Disk using an ISO File

If your target system is not the same as the one on your original computer, you can download the Windows ISO file and perform a clean installation. The process is more complex; please follow this procedure to create a Windows installation disk:

Guide 1. Download the Windows 10 ISO file:

You can use Microsoft's website to download the ISO file you need: Windows 10 Download

 Notice:: If you've downloaded tools Partition Master, you can use this tool to burn ISO to USB.

Guide 2: Burn the Windows ISO file to USB

Once you've downloaded the ISO file, use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to create a bootable Windows 10 installation on your hard drive. Make sure the hard drive is formatted as NTFS and has ample space. To proceed with preparing the Windows 10 installation media, follow these steps:

Step 1. After downloading the Windows Media Creation Tool, agree to the Microsoft license terms and create installation media for another PC.

Step 2. Follow the prompts to select the language, edition of Windows, architecture, and media.

"Burn ISO to USB"

Step 3: Wait for the process to complete to finish creating the USB installation drive.

Guide 3: Set Up the Installation Process

After creating the Windows 10 installation media, you can proceed to install Windows 10 on the second hard drive using a USB drive. Please follow these steps:

< strong > Step 1. < /strong> Insert the USB with a copy of Windows 10 into your computer in BIOS and set it as the first boot item.

Step 2. Boot from the installation USB. Then, set the language, time, etc., and click "Next."

Step 3. Click "Install Now" to begin the installation.

install now

Step 4. Enter the product key, or select I don't have a product key if you don't have one.

Step 5. Choose the installation type: Since we're installing Windows on the second hard drive, select "Install Windows only."

install windows

Step 6. Wait for the Windows installation process to complete.

The process takes longer and has more steps. Using two hard disks for the same system, you can directly select Tools Partition Master for system migration.

Why Install Windows 10 on a Second Hard Drive

There are various reasons to install the Windows 10 operating system on a secondary hard drive. Users have shared their requirements in the Microsoft community, and a common scenario is as follows:

I have a desktop computer running Windows 10 Home Edition with a 1 TB hard drive. I'm planning to install a solid-state drive as a secondary hard drive. My goal is to install Windows 10 Home Edition on this SSD and set it as the boot drive. I'm unsure whether I should download the Windows 10 Home Edition ISO file or use the Media Creation Tool. Any guidance would be great!

We've outlined several possible reasons for installing Windows 10 on a secondary hard drive:

Dual boot setup: Installing the Windows 10 operating system on a second hard disk enables users to choose different operating systems at startup, such as Windows 11 and 10.
Change boot drive: The computer will automatically use the internal hard disk as the boot drive. If users wish to boot the PC from an external hard drive/SSD, they need to install the system on a secondary hard disk.
Solve space shortage problem: When the C drive is full or the hard disk space is low, installing Windows on the second hard disk can free up space on the primary hard disk.
Improve performance: Separating the Windows 10 operating system files from other data can better safeguard data and enhance computer performance.
Backup data: Installing Windows 10 OS on a separate hard disk facilitates easy system restoration in case of system failure or malware attacks.

In short, installing Windows on a second hard drive can better safeguard your data and enhance computer performance. This article offers a comprehensive guide. If you find it useful, please feel free to click the sharing button to help more people in need.

Conclusion

Do you know how to install Windows 10 on a second hard drive? If the system you wish to install is the same as the first hard disk, you can utilize a tool like Partition Master to have Windows 10 without the need for reinstallation. This program is user-friendly and efficient for users at all levels, and it also provides additional advanced features.

If the target system differs from the original one, you can create installation media to burn a Windows ISO file. However, the process can be somewhat complex, so it's essential to carefully read and follow the instructions provided in this article.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Windows 10 on a Second Hard Drive

Do you have any queries regarding installing Windows 10 on a second hard drive/SDD? We've got you covered with all the answers here.

Certainly. By cloning/burning the OS, you can install Windows on a second hard drive without using a USB drive. This method also allows you to transfer all Windows system files, settings, and personal data to the new hard drive.

2. How do I boot Windows from a second SSD?

To boot Windows from a second SSD, ensure that an operating system is installed on the second SSD. Afterward, configure it as the boot drive in the BIOS settings:

Step 1. Restart your computer and press F2/F12/Del to enter BIOS.

Step 2. Under Boot Options, change the boot order.

Step 3. Save the settings and exit.

3. What happens if I install Windows on two drives?

If you install Windows on both drives, it won't affect any existing data. You can create a dual-boot setup if they are two different systems. However, if they are the same system, it might waste some storage space. It's recommended to separate the system and data partitions.