How To Set Up A Boot Drive

960 Evo

Things suspension and slow down over time in PCs. Too, every yr newer, faster, stronger parts come to market. That doesn't just apply to desktop PCs, either, and even in today's globe of slim, light Ultrabooks, at that place are still parts that can be replaced.

Consider the example of your principal Windows boot drive. It'south integral to using your PC, and if it fails you're in a predicament. Whether this is why you lot need to replace it or you just want something ameliorate, the process is the same. And it's fairly straightforward.

A replacement drive

960 Evo

If y'all have a PC that supports Not-Volatile Memory Limited (NVMe) drives, our recommendation goes to the Samsung 960 Evo. It'southward not Samsung's absolute fastest consumer bulldoze, but the cost departure (around $60 on the 500GB models) to the 960 Pro, coupled with a non-massive performance gap, gets it the nod.

Information technology's available in 250GB, 500GB and 1TB sizes, starting at a very reasonable $125 for the 250GB version.

Meet at Amazon

Of class, not all PCs volition be able to accept these super-fast drives. If your electric current PC is only using a mechanical hard-disk drive (HDD) and it's here that your Windows install lives, it's a bully time to brand the upgrade to a solid-state drive (SSD). A 2.v-inch drive will fit in identify of whatsoever 3.five-inch HDD (though you may need an adapter) and information technology's much faster. The Samsung 860 Evo is a slap-up option at $150 for 500GB.

WD Blue

If y'all're looking for a peachy m.2 SSD that isn't NVMe, a 500GB Western Digital Blue is a keen selection at $130.

If you have multiple drives in your PC, you can get away with a smaller boot bulldoze, but I wouldn't recommend annihilation smaller than 250GB. If it's your only drive, get the biggest you can afford. But e'er go SSD if you tin for your Windows kicking drive. You won't regret it.

More: How to use the BIOS or UEFI to check if your boot drive has failed

Removing the old drive and installing the new one

Samsung SSD

The exact procedure here will vary depending on what sort of PC you're using. A desktop tower will be very different than a laptop, for case, which will be different than a small-form-factor PC. The basic steps are mostly the same, but the location of the drives will exist different, and what yous have to remove from your PC to become to the drive volition as well vary.

It's a good idea to have a basic toolkit handy and a magnetic tray if you have 1 because the screws in a PC really are tiny.

The guide linked below is specific to an HP Omen laptop, but it shows you lot step by step how yous'll exist removing and installing the different types of drive you're likely to exist dealing with.

How to upgrade the HP Omen xv

Reinstalling Windows 10

Windows 10

Mayhap the most daunting role of this process is reinstalling Windows 10, but it's nonetheless non that bad. The important thing is that y'all tin can get hold of an image for the Os, and the easiest manner to do this is to download information technology using a PC. If your chief bulldoze failed and you don't have another PC, however dizzy it sounds, enquire someone for assistance. All you need is a PC and an internet connection.

The process involves downloading the image file from Microsoft and creating a USB drive that yous can apply to boot your PC and install the OS. The easiest manner to do this is to use the Microsoft Media Cosmos Tool, linked in the guide below.

How to install Windows 10 from USB

BIOS

To boot your PC from the USB stick, open upwards your BIOS or UEFI when you first plow information technology on (a press of something like F2 or F12 may be how to admission it) and ready your boot priority to USB drive as number one, then your new main drive as number two. It'southward a proficient thought to retrieve to change it back, though, once you've installed Windows, otherwise if you get out a USB bulldoze continued to your PC and it'll try to kicking from this. As soon as your Windows install is complete, remove the USB stick, too, or it might simply reboot into the installer.

Installing Windows from the USB bulldoze is very straightforward and the on-screen prompts volition walk you through every stage. You don't take to worry almost license codes anymore if you already had Windows installed, they will be automatically fastened.

For more on doing a make clean install of Windows ten bank check out the guide below.

Ultimate Guide: How to do a clean installation of Windows ten

That'southward all at that place is to information technology. If you have any other tips or tricks exist sure to share them in the comments.

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