Clean Windows 10 Install & Disk Partitions

Hello

Two desktop computers each running Windows 10 Pro 64 bit.

I tried to copy an image of the source C: drive to the target C: drive and ran into issues and, I think, in the process messed up the source drive partition table.

So I tried to do a clean install of Windows 10 on the target C: drive.  Was prompted to select where to install it and found the disk partitions somewhat confusing.  There are some OEM partitions that I am not sure how to install them.  Have a DVD for the motherboard of the target computer.

The target desktop has two 1TB SSD drives (system and data).

Attached is screen shot from disk management.

I would like to start the target C: drive from scratch.

Question: How to clean up and install the partitions on the system SSD drive including the essential OEM information and where to install a fresh copy of Windows 10?

No user data or programs are present on the target system SSD drive.

Very much appreciate information about what is going on in general.

 

Answer
Answer
Hi Johnes. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

You should follow the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

The mess you have there - with the actual EFI System partition which boots Windows deleted and another one created at the right end of the drive - is the reason why a Clean Install is defined as "clean" by deleting all partitions off the drive until there is only Unallocated Space.

Then choose the Unallocated space and click Next to let it auto-create and -format the needed partitions and begin install.
If at all possible to start C first, then I would first move the Page File back to C where it should remain on the new install, too: http://www.groovypost.com/howto/disable-move-wi...

Then unplug the second SSD so it cannot interfere.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to rate my post, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Last updated February 14, 2022 Views 3,421 Applies to: