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

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.

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.

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.

< 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.

Here are the translations for the provided languages: 1.
• Reboot Now: This means to restart the PC and boot the operating system from the new disk immediately.
2.
• 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.

1. Chinese: Chinese 2. English: English 3. French: French 4. Spanish: Spanish 5. German: German 6. Japanese: Japanese 7. Korean: Korean 8. Russian: Russian 9. Arabic: Arabic 10. Portuguese: Portuguese 11. Italian: Italian 12. Thai: Thai 13. Indonesian: Indonesian 14. Dutch: Dutch 15. Danish: Danish 16. Swedish: Swedish 17. Finnish: Finnish 18. Turkish: Turkish 19. Greek: Greek 20. Vietnamese: Vietnamese 21. Persian (Farsi): Persian (Farsi) 22. Hindi: Hindi 23. Polish: Polish 24. Czech: Czech 25. Romanian: Romanian 26. Hungarian: Hungarian 27. Welsh: Welsh 28. Irish: Irish 29. Catalan: Catalan 30. Norwegian: Norwegian

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

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.

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."

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:

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

Here are the translations for the provided text into English:
• 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.