Fresh win 8.1 install on SSD Partition Question

[DaveR]

OK, I just finished my ASUS Z97 Pro, i7-4790k, 16 GB memory build! I think I will power it on without the SSD, HDD and DVD Burner to be sure it posts and to update BIOS.

BUT, then I want to install the drives and load Win 8.1 Pro. ALL Hardware is new, and I want to know what to tell Windows when it asks about partitions. This is a 512GB Samsung 850 Pro and I want Windows to use the whole thing. Someone said it will create 4 partitions, but I wonder what I need as in the past with Win XP, I just told it to use the whole drive. Do I still get that option?

 

[Elixer]

It will make 2 partitions, and no, you can't change it, since they are both required.
The first partition is around 350MB, then the rest is the rest of the drive.

 

[VirtualLarry]

It will make 2 partitions, and no, you can't change it, since they are both required.
The first partition is around 350MB, then the rest is the rest of the drive.

Not true, at least if you are using legacy / CSM boot and MBR partitions.

On a fresh clean drive, when you boot the Win7 install DVD (using legacy), and create a partition, the Windows will automatically create a small partition at the beginning, to stick the boot files. You can then delete the second partition (the large one you created), then select the small boot partition, click "extend", and make it the size of the drive. Then click "format" (to make it a system partition rather than a boot partition), then select that partition and click "Next" or "Install" or whatever. Windows 7 will then install onto that partition, and not have the separate boot partition.

 

[ViRGE]

It will make 2 partitions, and no, you can't change it, since they are both required.
The first partition is around 350MB, then the rest is the rest of the drive.

Indeed. If you tell Windows to use the whole drive, it will do its thing, create the necessary partitions, and allocate the rest to the actual Windows partition. It's quite easy, and for protection/recovery reasons you should let Windows do its thing.

 

[ArisVer]

And the 350MB partition remains hidden. You can see it in Computer Management.

 

[DaveR]

Thank you ALL:

I will be using Win 8.1 with a UEFI BIOS. Will it format the SSD as GPT? Will it ask as that is what I want.

Also 1 other note...Since EVERYTHING is NEW, can I add the drives, install Win 8.1 fresh and use the generic install key and then, if I don't like what I have tried, can I reinstall and have everything wiped when I start over fresh?

 

[ViRGE]

Thank you ALL:

I will be using Win 8.1 with a UEFI BIOS. Will it format the SSD as GPT? Will it ask as that is what I want.

Yes, if it boots UEFI it will default to GPT.

Also 1 other note...Since EVERYTHING is NEW, can I add the drives, install Win 8.1 fresh and use the generic install key and then, if I don't like what I have tried, can I reinstall and have everything wiped when I start over fresh?

I'm not sure I follow. If you don't like the installation just wipe the drive and start over.

 

[DaveR]

OK, but if I boot in win 8.1 will it allow me to wipe the SSD boot drive?

 

[ViRGE]

OK, but if I boot in win 8.1 will it allow me to wipe the SSD boot drive?

Sure. You can do that from the Win 8.1 installer.

 

[DaveR]

Great...I want to use the default install key, but do not want to activate the setup until my drivers are all in. I do not want MS to think I am loading on another system just because I changed/updated drivers!

 

[Ketchup]

Make sure that when first installing Windows, you only have the SSD plugged in, to make sure the 350 partition doesn't go to another drive.

 

[jcgriff2]

I would suggest unplugging the HDD during Windows installation to the SSD to avoid any boot related files being placed on the HDD.

 

[DaveR]

Great advice...and someone said that is one of the things to do, but to not activate Win 8.1 until you add the HDD back in and install the GPU drivers..and make it work the way you want. I will try this, but hope MS lets me run update with this install key. They said they installed to an SSD as you suggest, and then when they added the HDD it asked to be activated again!

 

[ViRGE]

You'll have no problem running Windows Update with the install key. However it's not as if reactivating Windows is especially arduous.

 

[DaveR]

Thank you again!