The installation process typically preserves existing files on your HDD unless specified otherwise.
The installation process typically preserves existing files on your HDD unless specified otherwise.
You're trying to reinstall Windows on a different drive. Whether you need to remove the current OS drive depends on your setup—either you can install two Windows versions side by side or switch directly. Regarding the installation, leaving existing folders and files untouched is possible if you're careful with the partitioning process.
I don’t feel confident using the Windows installer with additional storage options. Windows tends to place the boot or recovery partition on other drives unintentionally. I haven’t heard reports of it damaging data from drives you didn’t choose, but I really wouldn’t rely on it—just doesn’t work well. During a clean Windows setup, I disconnect all other drives so only one remains active for installation. This prevents any unexpected issues.
When setting up, consider adding a new partition to the storage drive instead of installing on the existing one—this is something I haven’t done before, but I assume the files will be removed, particularly if you’re swapping out the original drive. Make sure to keep a backup of your data, whether it’s the files themselves or the recovery time. Regarding running Windows on both the main and secondary drives, it’s possible, but I recommend disconnecting the primary drive to prevent any interference. We just want to ensure it doesn’t become linked to that installation.
I wouldn't. I've installed things on other drives even without giving them permission. I always unplug other drives before starting an installation.
You can rely on Windows to preserve your current folders and files on that drive during installation. The error you encountered was likely due to a temporary issue, and switching to an additional HDD helped resolve it. After that, updating the firmware made no difference.