Install Windows 7 on a new C: drive maintaining use of the computer

Hello forum - new poster here.

I want to upgrade my boot drive to a larger SSD, but I don't have the original media or product key. I want to use the machine as-is while I reinstall everything on the new drive. Even if I could, I don't want simply to clone the current drive to the new one. I've already purchased the drive and a copy of Win7/64.

I'm familiar with the fresh installation process detailed in another thread, and my MOBO allows me to select the boot drive at startup, but I don't know how to deal with the issue of two boot drives when I want the new drive to end up being the C: drive. All I can think to do at this point is physically connect only the drive that I want to use.

Is there a more elegant workflow that would allow me to continue to use my computer as I rebuild the new OS drive and have it end up as the C: drive?

Thanks in advance,
Nick

ICIT2LOL,

Thanks for the quick reply. I understand to have only the new drive connected when I install Windows, but what I really want is to be able to reconnect and use the current drive until the new drive is completely rebuilt, at which point I can use the old drive for something else.

If cable-swapping is a safe approach (I don't know if that would cause other problems) then that's what I'll do - it's pretty straightforward.

Thanks for the heads-up on the 10 update. You're right - I don't want to go there.

Nick

AddRAM,

Sure, that makes sense: no power to the old drive (or any of the other 4) while installing Win7 on the new drive.

However, the current boot drive has a C: and D: partition, and I assume the new one would, too. If I were to then re-power the old drive and use the boot menu to select between them, wouldn't I end up with a drive letter conflict? Regardless of which drive I boot from, the other drive will still be visible. Or are you saying to use both the boot menu and the power cable to control booting?

I've never installed Windows on anything but C:. To avoid a conflict, am I supposed to assign the new drive a unique letter (I currently have C:, E:, F: G: and Q: drives) before installing Windows? If so, isn't that assignment permanent?

Nick

ICIT2LOL & SIW2,

Thanks for the help. SIW2 - I found another, similar thread to which you'd replied in greater detail. I get it now.

AddRAM - If you don't have the patience for newbie questions, simply ignore them. Understand???????