Win 11 Pro Clean Install Question

Topgundcp · Thursday at 11:21 AM

Here's some results using Crystal Diskmark between a Samsung 870EVO SSD and Fanxiang nvme :

Of course any fast storage device used as a USB external device will suffer speed reduction, the nvme is still
4X faster than the Samsung SSD.
The nvme is actually rated up to @7300 Mbit/sec, fastest speed for gen 4, so if plugged into a slot in the MB with gen 4 supported, you'll get the full speed:

Xoanon · Thursday at 2:14 PM

Topgundcp said:
Here's some results using Crystal Diskmark between a Samsung 870EVO SSD and Fanxiang nvme :
View attachment 136673
Of course any fast storage device used as a USB external device will suffer speed reduction, the nvme is still
4X faster than the Samsung SSD.
The nvme is actually rated up to @7300 Mbit/sec, fastest speed for gen 4, so if plugged into a slot in the MB with gen 4 supported, you'll get the full speed:
View attachment 136680

It's always hard deciding on external storage but this is incredible work and much appreciated. I will definitely be looking into the EVO. I appreciate your response and help!

Xoanon · Thursday at 2:20 PM

Topgundcp said:
There's 2 types of 2TB passport: HD costs ~$83, SSD costs ~$139 but I would not recommend neither.
The new type is nvme SSD which is much faster.
I currently use a 2TB unknown name brand for 3 years now, and it performs with blazing speed.

Amazon.com : janxiang nvme
with an enclosure:
The nvme costs: $119 with 10% off then it would be ~$110
The enclosue is $15

Amazon.com
When buying a storage device, you should look at the speed it can perform.

Excellent information to know! Thanks for sharing the hardware you use and what to look for in a drive. I'm not very literate when it come to hardware so I can use all the help I can get.

Xoanon · Thursday at 2:29 PM

jimbo45 said:
Hi there
I agree with previous posts about Nvme 1or even 2TB external drives and enclosures -- these days they aren't a huge lot bigger than 2 average size cigars and therefore very fast / portable. Cheaper to buy the Nvme stick separately and the enclosure -- ensure it's "SSD" type. Ensure also that the supplied heat shield is fitted properly -- you can do the whole thing without any tools -- I've been using these for a while - I run some "Windows2GO" installs on them -- 100% reliable. I suspect soon that the "classic" 2.5 inch ssd's will just be obsolete.

For really large volumes of data / archive etc -there are some huge bargains to be had also on old fashioned "Spinners" - 7200 RPM with fast cache memory -- I've got 4X 14.T drives connected to machine via RSHTECH 2 bay caddies.

Cheers
jimbo

This is very interesting. I don't know why the computer shop I used to use couldn't share information like all of you are sharing. I appreciate the input and sharing what to look for. I didn't know things this powerful and small even existed. That's how behind I am on hardware.

dacrone · Thursday at 4:35 PM

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Scannerman · Thursday at 4:40 PM

Xoanon said:
This is very interesting. I don't know why the computer shop I used to use couldn't share information like all of you are sharing. I appreciate the input and sharing what to look for. I didn't know things this powerful and small even existed. That's how behind I am on hardware.

Many computer shops are reluctant to share information like this because they are in a very competitive line of business and it is difficult to make a profit. That is not to say that all of them are like that. I'm retired now so I rarely make repairs for strangers anymore. This forum is loaded with helpful people and useful information. Even after repairing PCs for 25 years of my life I have learned so much here that sometimes I feel like a complete novice so you are not alone. Stick around. You've discovered a gold mine of information!

NavyLCDR · Thursday at 11:38 PM

Xoanon said:
Oh, I didn't know I was going to have to delete/manipulate partitions. I just assumed it would show me the primary partition the C:\ drive was on and I would select that and off it would go. I've attached a copy of my current drive configurations in Window 10 Pro through diskmgmt.msc. If you don't mind, can you tell me what I'll be looking for to delete? I get nervous when I hear that word.

Actually, I haven't purchased the Win 11 Pro retail yet but you're right, I probably will just for peace of mind. Also, Thanks for providing the retail generic key in case I change my mind.

Thanks for your time and response!

You will delete all the partitions on Disk 2. On that setup window, it will be easy to see which SSD you want to delete the partitions on because of the huge difference in disk sizes. When you get to that window in setup, you may see 4 partitions on the disk because there is a small hidden MSR (Microsoft System Reserved) partition that does not show up in disk management. This is the window I am talking about. Yours will obviously have all three drives on it. Just highlight each partition and click delete partition. Then you will get the unallocated space only on the disk, select the unallocated space and then next.

Xoanon · Friday at 12:03 AM

NavyLCDR said:
You will delete all the partitions on Disk 2. On that setup window, it will be easy to see which SSD you want to delete the partitions on because of the huge difference in disk sizes. When you get to that window in setup, you may see 4 partitions on the disk because there is a small hidden MSR (Microsoft System Reserved) partition that does not show up in disk management. This is the window I am talking about. Yours will obviously have all three drives on it. Just highlight each partition and click delete partition. Then you will get the unallocated space only on the disk, select the unallocated space and then next.

View attachment 136766
Thank you for the reply and information on the 4th partition as that would've threw me plus the graphic as I tend to be a visual learner and this helps tremendously! I'm getting things ready and will be proceeding in the next few days so wish me luck and thanks again!

dmdilks · 2025-06-15T13:19:48-0400

Here we go again with the windows activation. I had the same problem with some of windows 10 versions too. Upgraded my motherboard and took the older one that will support windows 11. This board ran windows 10 & 11 for over 5yrs. Going to sell the older board.

I did a clean install with version 24H2 and with a off line account too. When I got into the desktop it is telling me to activate windows. So I click on the tab to do that. It comes back and says my hardware has change and have to activate windows. Plus nothing change and I did the troubleshooter too that never works.

OK lets see here been running windows 10 & 11 with activate key for over 5yrs. So I did another clean install but the this time I use version 23H2. Got into the desktop and windows is activated. Plus the board was running version 24H2 before the clean install too. Plus I did one more step and reinstall version 24H2 to see if it would work. I had to activate windows again. So version 23H2 will active and version 24H2 will not.

The point I'm making is that Microsoft has done this in the past with windows 10. Now they are doing it again with windows 11. I do have account with Microsoft and a Microsoft partners account that isn't activate. I shouldn't have to have account to activate windows that has a digital key attach to the board.

I have been using some kind of computer since 1980. I was a Microsoft Partner for 20 yrs till I retired.

Scannerman · 2025-06-15T14:36:32-0400

dmdilks said:
Here we go again with the windows activation. I had the same problem with some of windows 10 versions too. Upgraded my motherboard and took the older one that will support windows 11. This board ran windows 10 & 11 for over 5yrs. Going to sell the older board.

I did a clean install with version 24H2 and with a off line account too. When I got into the desktop it is telling me to activate windows. So I click on the tab to do that. It comes back and says my hardware has change and have to activate windows. Plus nothing change and I did the troubleshooter too that never works.

OK lets see here been running windows 10 & 11 with activate key for over 5yrs. So I did another clean install but the this time I use version 23H2. Got into the desktop and windows is activated. Plus the board was running version 24H2 before the clean install too. Plus I did one more step and reinstall version 24H2 to see if it would work. I had to activate windows again. So version 23H2 will active and version 24H2 will not.

The point I'm making is that Microsoft has done this in the past with windows 10. Now they are doing it again with windows 11. I do have account with Microsoft and a Microsoft partners account that isn't activate. I shouldn't have to have account to activate windows that has a digital key attach to the board.

I have been using some kind of computer since 1980. I was a Microsoft Partner for 20 yrs till I retired.

Sometimes a license key is only good for single use on one piece of hardware namely, your system board. It really depends on the key. This doesn't appear to be the case with you because it worked for 23H2 and now it will not. Microsoft is a thankless corporation. Back in the late 90's and early years of the turn of the millennia I worked for them for free as a volunteer. Some here might still remember the MS+ community. None of this made a bit of difference to them when I reached out to them for help regarding the fraudulent sale of an operating system (with activation key) for which I had been a victim. Even though Microsoft stated that if I worked with them on the matter they would give me a kit to help me reinstate my license this never happened. I was refused. This is called corporate gratitude. I'm sure many developers can relate to this experience.

The only thing a corporate monopoly understands is the bottom line. They do not care about you, the individual. To be fair, 1980 was 45 years ago. A license key can be legally purchased for less than 20 dollars today. I would suggest that you got your money's worth already. I don't mean this unkindly and I can relate to your frustration. Only recently I purchased a license key for 24H2 because of a similar encounter when building up a "Windows 11 Ready" system because I couldn't be bothered with the 23H2/24H2 transition. 20 bucks doesn't go far these days but it will get you a legitimate activation key.

Incidentally, Microsoft has announced that they're eliminating the NRO work around and that they intend to eliminate local accounts altogether. So local accounts are about to become a thing of the past, it would seem. Just how long this will last is hard to say.

We are from another time. Best to just roll with the punches and carry on IMO. Given our ages and experience (and knowing that there is always Linux) all of this pretty much amounts to a non-issue in the grande scheme of things. We are vets. We can dust ourselves off and get back on that horse any time we want. Thank you for sharing. You made me smile.

pseymour · 2025-06-15T17:28:28-0400

Scannerman said:
Incidentally, Microsoft has announced that they're eliminating the NRO work around and that they intend to eliminate local accounts altogether. So local accounts are about to become a thing of the past, it would seem. Just how long this will last is hard to say.

Not sure what your source is for this, but eliminating local accounts from Windows would be a huge undertaking. I wouldn't look for it any time soon.

Scannerman · 2025-06-15T19:11:57-0400

pseymour said:
Not sure what your source is for this, but eliminating local accounts from Windows would be a huge undertaking. I wouldn't look for it any time soon.

It would not be the first time they attempted a half-baked idea. My source was from Level 1 Techs. I don't recall where they got it from but I do recall them reading a quote from Microsoft addressing it.

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