Okay ill give the EXACT DETAILS.. Dont go off track please

I have a current pc already setup with windows 8.1 on my hard drive

I bought a ssd

I am doing a fresh install of windows 8.1 to my ssd

I unplug my hd and hook up my ssd... and set it to ahci.. I know those details

I install my windows 8.1

I update blah blah blah do my drivers and make a recovery disc

I then plug my hd back in etc... and here is my question right here

What do I do about the Windows 8.1 that is on my HD... Im obviously booting from my ssd with that windows 8.1 which means my hd has useless windows files..

Please just answer my question.. Idc about everyone's personal opinions on how to do things.. just want your opinion on my question. Thanks

Leave it there if you want to, it isn't going to hurt anything. Its just taking up space.

Alternatively, you can backup everything you want to on your HDD and format it so its blank.

After everything is installed to the SSD, make sure it is the first boot device in the BIOS....then you can hook up the HDD and grab w/e files you want off of it.
Then when you're sure there's nothing left on the HDD that you want...just format it...and then use it for storage, or game installs etc.

The free program EaseUS Partition Wizard is a good program for your partitioning needs if you have any.



Proper install order for Windows.

First make sure to disconnect any other SSD's or HDD's, except the one you're installing Windows on, and that it is formatted as Primary, NTFS and Default Cluster Size

Install stuff in this order:

Unhook Internet
Install Windows
Install motherboard drivers
Install vid card drivers
Install sound drivers
Install Security programs
After everything is installed, open Services, and make sure Windows Update is set to Manual.

Rehook Internet
Install Windows updates. ONLY the Important and Critical ones. Read though all those as well, and UN-check any that have to do with vid card, sound or motherboard drivers.
Install utilities like CCleaner, 7Zip, IMGBurn
Install w/e other games or programs you want.


Right after, you do all this and update everything, run all your cleaners and scanners, and tweak Windows w/e, to however you want it...MAKE A BACKUP. Use either Windows built in backup (make the rescue CD too) or free 3rd party Backup software like Macrium Reflect(make the bootable CD too).

Thanks for the replies I appreciate it.

Whats the best way to format that my secondary HDD

Windows 8.1

This will format, wipe, partition etc...a lot easier than Windows Disk Management. The only thing you really need Disk Management for is to change drive letters around if you so desire.
I use the same program...it works on all versions of Windows.

Thanks for the replies. Everything is setup and 100% done. Appreciate it all.