Retaining Win7 boot SSD for old files/programs – set inactive?

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About to install fresh Win10 to a new SSD for an interim until I replace PC components in new build.

I will be retaining my existing Win7 active install disk to copy over programs and files after the Win10 install.

I don’t want the Win10 to see it as a boot drive when I reattach it to start moving files.

I could just use my USB dock but it is slower than attaching back to the motherboard.

Q. Is it better to mark the Win7 disk non-active before I disconnect it for new SSD Win10 install?  Or are there any other settings I should apply just so it retains as a data drive until I can format it for that later?

 

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In the cabling instde the computer, put the SSD in the #1 slot (if such exists).
In the BIOS, set the new SSD as the primary boot drive and the old one at the bottom of the list.

Another solution is to get an adapter to connect the old drive (SATA?) to a USB port. They’re cheap.

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or just disable it in BIOS

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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or disconnect the SATA cable, airgap is best

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W10 uses a different boot arrangement to W7 – UEFI.
Make sure the BIOS is set to UEFI, then the W7 disk will be treated as a legacy device and won’t boot by default.

Note: this assumes W7 is not already booting from UEFI – it’s not standard.

cheers, Paul

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