Installing Windows on a brand-new hard drive (HDD or SSD) is straightforward if you prepare correctly. The core process involves creating a bootable USB installer, then booting from it to install Windows onto the empty drive.
Note: Click if reinstalling on the same PC. 2. Choose Installation Type You will see two choices: Upgrade or Custom. Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) . 3. Target the New Drive You will see a list of available drives. Click on Drive X Unallocated Space (your new drive). Click Next without creating manual partitions. Windows will automatically partition and format the drive. The system will copy files and restart several times. how to load windows on a new hard drive
You will see a list of drives. The new hard drive will show as . Installing Windows on a brand-new hard drive (HDD
Move the to the top of the boot order list. Navigate to the Exit tab. then refresh and retry. |
[Power On PC] ➔ [Tap BIOS Key (F2/Del)] ➔ [Navigate to Boot Menu] ➔ [Set USB as Priority #1] ➔ [Save & Exit] Insert the bootable USB drive into the PC. Turn on the computer.
| Problem | Likely Fix | |---------|-------------| | “No bootable device found” after install | Re-enter BIOS and set the new hard drive as first boot device. | | USB not recognized in boot menu | Try a different USB port (USB 2.0 preferred) or recreate the installer using a different USB stick. | | Windows asks for a driver during install | Your PC needs storage drivers (e.g., Intel RST). Download them from the motherboard site to a second USB, then click “Load driver.” | | “Windows cannot be installed to this disk” (GPT vs MBR) | Wipe the drive: Press Shift+F10 for command prompt, type diskpart → list disk → select disk X (your new drive) → clean → exit , then refresh and retry. |