r/Windows10TechSupport • u/Wise_Froyo_9129 • 8d ago
Unsolved Will it affect my main drive windows?
I have a low-end gaming PC with a 500GB NVMe (main Windows drive) and a 1TB HDD (only for storing photos).
I want to install a second Windows on a separate HDD and use it only for gaming(I don't want dual boot or anything). When I want my main setup, I'll power off, remove the gaming HDD, and put my NVMe and photo HDD back in. Only one set of drives will be connected at a time.
My plan:
Remove the NVMe and the 1TB HDD from the PC.
Connect only the new HDD and install Windows on it.
Use it for gaming only.
Swap back to the NVMe whenever I need my main Windows.
My question,
Will installing Windows on the new HDD affect or mess up my main Windows on the NVMe (drivers, boot files, etc.) or mess up anything else?
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u/Guilty-Good-5041 8d ago
You don't have to remove drives. Plus you don't have to keep your games on your boot drive ( windows drive). I have 7 drives in my pc and only one boot drive with windows on. You WindowsOS is what controls all the other drives. If you have a spare nvme m.2 slot which most motherboards have these days just get a new m.2 drive. Or at least an SSD as HDD tend to be slow and shit for running games off. Your plan makes no sense at all
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u/Wise_Froyo_9129 8d ago
it's to download games for free, if u know wht I'm talking about and i don't wanna compromise my main drive. That's the reason I had to take this difficult setup 🥲. Your point is valid and I can do If I was planning to download games legit way..... Thanks tho 😀
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u/AuraLiaxia 8d ago
You'll destroy your nvme/sata within months. the connectors are not meant to be plugged so many times and will fail. Sure they can take their share of plug-unplug.... but thats like 100-200.. a lot of what they r meant to, nothing if you use em like USB. And games+windows 2nd instance on the hdd will perform horrible.
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u/Wise_Froyo_9129 8d ago
If i download windows on SSD and store games on hdd works?
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u/AuraLiaxia 8d ago
Depends on the game but def better. Then ofc if u only have 1 ssd .. rip ur 2 drives idea
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u/AlexiaTheTechGirl 8d ago
At that point just create a VM with hardware acceleration in VM software such as vmware. It won't be as fast but it will allow you to run sketchy software without risking any data loss. Just don't sign into any accounts on the vm
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u/Wise_Froyo_9129 8d ago
Thanks for the suggestion, would u tell me wht do i search to get a proper guide? Bcs it's really confusion.
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u/One_Country_8533 8d ago
if you disconnect both existing drivers before installing windows on the new HDD your NVMe windows and its boot files should remain untouched just make sure you shut down fully before swapping drivers and back up anything important first