Yes, it is possible to have two Windows 10 installations that cannot reach each other's HDDs.
Yes, it is possible to have two Windows 10 installations that cannot reach each other's HDDs.
I have two copies of Windows 10—one for personal use and one for testing. I need a second copy specifically for risky tasks like installing pirated games. I want to ensure my main files stay safe if something goes wrong. I’ve seen both installations can share drives, so I’m wondering if there’s a way to keep them isolated and prevent access between them. If possible, please let me know—I appreciate your help and have a great day!
If they're on different physical drives, simply connect just the one you're currently using.
Remove the drive letter from the "disposable" Windows installation partition while booted into the "good" version. Verify you can select the "disposable" install from the boot manager. If successful, deselect the "good" partition's letter in the disposable setup. (Consider getting an external hard drive or two to back up your important files, just in case. A virus won't affect a drive left unplugged on a shelf.)
avoiding a drive link to the other installation would likely be the simplest approach, though it may lack strong protection. To ensure complete security, setting up BitLocker for both installations could work, but I’m uncertain about managing two BitLocker setups on a single motherboard.
OP might secure their legitimate Windows with BitLocker, keeping the key in the TPM. The questionable installation would need BitLocker configured through group policy to unlock using either a PIN or a USB key to start up. I haven't tested this yet, but it seems potentially feasible.