Hard Drive Died How To Reinstall Windows 10

If your computer experiences signs of hard drive failure, information technology's best to supervene upon information technology before it completely wears out. This gives you a hazard to save the data stored on information technology, including your operating arrangement. While information technology'due south a more complicated repair than many consumers feel comfortable performing on their own, you can save coin by doing it yourself.

In the following guide, we'll explicate the basic steps for how to replace a hard drive, as well every bit the best style to get the operating system up and running again. This guide works for both replacing a defective hard drive and for swapping out an outdated one for something with more space and speed.

1. Back up data

Earlier you do whatsoever of the steps involved with physically replacing the drive, support everything it contains that you wish to keep, including:

Programs
Documents
Photo and video files
Music files and playlists
Games and downloadable content (DLC)

2. Create a recovery disc

To reinstall your Windows Bone on your new computer, create a recovery disc that the estimator tin utilise to boot up the new, bare drive after information technology'southward installed. You can create one by visiting the Windows website for your particular operating system version and downloading it to a CD-ROM or USB device.

Make sure you have enough gratuitous space on your storage disc or bulldoze before starting, and that it is properly formatted according to Windows directions.

3. Remove the old drive

Brand sure your computer is turned off and unplugged before starting. We also advise that you use an anti-static mat and wristband. This tool grounds both the calculator and you lot, and then that you lot don't transfer whatsoever built-up static electricity to the figurer's frail internal parts and peradventure curt them out. It keeps you from getting a zap, too.

To begin the procedure, open the door on your computer example. This volition vary by manufacturer. It is unremarkably held in place by small screws or there may exist a sliding mechanism.

After yous and the computer are safely grounded, locate the hard bulldoze and remove the power cables and data connectors from the drive itself.

Refer to the documentation for installing the new hard drive, and work backward to see how to disconnect the old hard drive from power and data connectors specifically. If you're unsure, check for your specific brand of computer online.

In that location will usually be a set of small screws property the drive into the case. Remove these next, and then pull out the hard drive from the computer case or bay with a sliding move. While information technology's not necessary to physically remove the disconnected old drive, many prefer to get it out of the way.

This frees up space in your estimator case for other components down the route, such as a second difficult drive. Information technology also creates more air movement around the new drive. If yous do choose to leave the onetime bulldoze inside the figurer case, brand certain all of the connections remain asunder.

four. Place the new bulldoze

To put the new drive in, but reverse the steps yous already performed. Plug in the power connectors according to the new drive's documentation, then follow up with information connectedness cords.

Depending on how short the connectors are, you may have to slide the drive into the bay first. A pocket-size flashlight can exist helpful for seeing into the pocket-sized space of the bay as you work. Supervene upon the screws that hold the drive into the case, supplant the reckoner example door, and you're now ready to set up a new drive.

5. Reinstall the operating organization

Later you've finished with the physical portion of your hard drive replacement, and before y'all ever use it for the first fourth dimension, you must properly format and sectionalization the hard drive. This is a elementary process for Windows users, but it must happen before anything else.

Fortunately, putting the operating system back on the figurer performs these two steps automatically. Your OS will determine the exact steps, only for Windows 10 or Windows 10 Pro for HP computers and laptops, operating system installation involves the following steps:

ane. Become started by plugging in your PC and powering it on. For HP computers, printing the "Escape" central repeatedly later startup.

2. The startup menu will appear with an choice to access the Boot Carte. Use the Boot Menu to tell the figurer where to beginning from - either the USB or installation deejay you created and inserted early.

three. Follow the prompts to partition, format, and install Windows onto your new hard drive. Most users tin use the default settings and not customize anything at this time.

4. You may be asked to restart the computer. The reckoner may also restart on its ain several times before it's finished. Let a few hours for the process to complete, depending on your hard drive and Os.

5. Once the computer has restarted for the terminal time and you see a Windows log-in screen, yous're ready to brainstorm using your new drive.

six. Reinstall your programs and files

Now that you have Windows working on a new difficult drive, y'all tin start the process of putting the things you desire back on the calculator. Your cloud fill-in or external drive should exist accessed past using the software it recommends to call up files.

Simply pick the files you desire to restore and you're good to get. Y'all can also go just the basics at this point and continue calculation things as you find them necessary over time.

Cloning your difficult bulldoze

Another pick for putting your data onto a new bulldoze is to "clone" your existing bulldoze. Assuming that your hard drive failure is caused by a concrete fault and not a software glitch or corrupted file, you lot can physically connect the old drive to the new drive. Use cloning software to transfer an verbal copy of the data, operating organisation, and files to the new drive.

This is just recommended if yous want a duplicate of your sometime drive, including the unnecessary files that tin can accrue on your bulldoze over time. Enquiry cloning software to observe a reputable pick that's best for your state of affairs. Think, if a hard drive fails for a digital reason, such every bit bad files, you should just start with a fresh, new bulldoze.

Risks of installing a new hard drive

While many people succeed with this task, there are some pitfalls you need to know before you brainstorm:

First, if you aren't certain how to research your specific hard bulldoze or estimator type and have never done any DIY computer work before, it tin can have time to become to know how your computer model is configured. Be patient with yourself.
Not knowing what connection goes where and failing to secure your new drive properly can issue in damage to the data you have stored also as individual computer components. Research and follow the instructions. Don't wing it.
Call back that you lot should ever piece of work on an anti-static surface with the power disconnected because failing to ground your computer can cause data loss and electrical injuries.
If yous tin follow directions and are competent in doing bones mechanical tasks, such as using a screwdriver and reading diagrams, upgrading your difficult drive shouldn't exist hard at all.
The money you can salve past doing it yourself tin be in the hundreds of dollars in labor costs.
It's a expert thought for anyone who wants to learn more almost how their computers tin can be maintained at home to take on this relatively simple DIY project.

Once you try your hand at this, it volition probably give you the confidence to take on more complicated projects similar edifice your own gaming reckoner. At that place'south a definite satisfaction knowing you achieved a repair like this.

Now y'all can start thinking most adding some other hard bulldoze downwards the road. Many computer users have more than one bulldoze. They use the second equally a backup that'due south contained safely in their calculator's case for when they need it. Let's go started!

Nigh the Writer

Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author, public speaker, and member of the ASJA. She has a passion for helping consumers and modest business organization owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.