Set old hdd system boot/c drive as inactive for new ssd install

Performing a clean windows 7 install on a new ssd and want to set the old boot/c drive as inactive so I can use the old hdd for storage.

Going to unplug the old hdd to do the install but I want to know how to (unplug the new ssd drive and re-plug in the old hdd drive) set the old hdd boot/c drive as inactive so I can plug in both drives without boot problems.

Can I still keep all the data (partitioned into 3 drives) on the old hdd? I don't really want to format the c drive to deactivate it (or any partitions for that matter).

I've also got a system reserved hidden partition on the old hdd. Can I "allocate free space/merge" that into another old hdd partition afterwards?

The correct way to uninstall an OS is always to delete its partition and System Reserved.

Keep the HD unplugged during Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to the SSD, then make sure SSD remains set first to boot after plugging back in the HDD.

To get the old HD cleanest I would move the data off and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command, then repartition in Disk Mgmt. If this is not possible then you can move the data to another partition you shrink using Disk Mgmt or Partition Wizard Resize Partition - Video Help. Then Mark the Active Partition Inactive to delete System Reserved and C on HD, resize data partition into its space.

gregrocker said:

The correct way to uninstall an OS is always to delete its partition and System Reserved.

Keep the HD unplugged during Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to the SSD, then make sure SSD remains set first to boot after plugging back in the HDD.

To get the old HD cleanest I would move the data off and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command, then repartition in Disk Mgmt. If this is not possible then you can move the data to another partition you shrink using Disk Mgmt or Partition Wizard Resize Partition - Video Help. Then Mark the Active Partition Inactive to delete System Reserved and C on HD, resize data partition into its space.

...then make sure SSD remains set first to boot after plugging back in the HDD...

Do I do that in BOIS mode when I boot with both drives connected?

I don't want to delete anything on the old hdd c drive. Can I then copy c drive to free space on another partition on old hdd so I can delete/format my c drive?

Set SSD first to boot in BIOS setup by tapping the key given for it on first screen, adjusting boot order priority.

I specifically told you how you could shrink C to move your data into a new data partition, then mark Inactive to delete C and System Reserved, resize the data partition into its space. Why am I having to type this again?

gregrocker said:

Set SSD first to boot in BIOS setup by tapping the key given for it on first screen, adjusting boot order priority.

I specifically told you how you could shrink C to move your data into a new data partition, then mark Inactive to delete C and System Reserved, resize the data partition into its space. Why am I having to type this again?

Why do I have to shrink the c drive? Can't I just move what I want over to another partition on the old hdd and then set old c drive as inactive?

If you have the space, sure. You make it sound like everything's on C and its a lot.

If not then move the data to a data partition, delete C and then resize into the space. This is the way to correctly uninstall Win7 so you can reinstall it onto the SSD. There is no reason to keep Win7 unless you think you might want to go back to it on the HDD which you can wait to see, and doesn't require marking Inactive.

gregrocker said:

If you have the space, sure. You make it sound like everything's on C and its a lot.

If not then move the data to a data partition, delete C and then resize into the space. This is the way to correctly uninstall Win7 so you can reinstall it onto the SSD. There is no reason to keep Win7 unless you think you might want to go back to it on the HDD which you can wait to see, and doesn't require marking Inactive.

Fine. Just want to make sure I don't screw up the new ssd. So to confirm, I can plug the old hdd in with the new ssd after doing the new install with just the ssd plugged in.

Will I have that option to boot to the new ssd without having to go into BIOS? Or will it automatically detect 2 os and ask me?

And if I want to keep/see the old windows install on old c drive I can just reset boot order in BIOS?