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I realize this is a little out of the box question so I wanted to reach out to the experts on the matter.

I have a 256GB SSD. I have 2 partitions on it. Partition 1 is 20GB, another one is the rest of the drive. I have created a Windows 10 bootable "disk" on partition 1:

Now, I want to install Windows 10 using partition 1 bootable "disk" on to partition. I would like to know if this is possible? Or if there's a way to make this work.

asked Mar 14, 2024 at 15:27
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  • What is there exactly on partition 1? Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 16:17
  • Partition 1 has Windows 10 bootable disk. One can install an OS using that partition. I hope this makes sense. Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 16:22
  • Possible? Probably, I've not done exactly that but similar. You may have issues with the boot records. If the drive is empty other than your install media, give it a go? Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 16:59
  • Actually, there are likely more than two partitions -- in particular, there's a partition with EFI info for booting that points to where the OS resides. You'd need to modify that to point to the new OS partition. Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 17:33
  • @NickSlash - I did give it a try. It said "You cannot install an OS connected via USB or port 1394". Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 17:34

1 Answer 1

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While booting from one partition, you cannot install Windows on another partition.

The only solution would be to format partition 2 and copy to it the contents of the entire partition 1. However, copying the running system presents some technical problems for cloning which are not solved in Windows. You will need a third-party product for that.

You could use for example EaseUS Partition Master for cloning (refuse any offered bundled software installation), and there are alternative products.

answered Mar 14, 2024 at 16:42
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  • Thank you for the response but I think there is a slight misunderstanding here. Partition 1 doesn't have a functional Win 10 OS. It is simply the installer partition (meaning it only has the content to install an actual functioning OS). Hope this makes sense. Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 17:34
  • Do you mean that you have booted into the Windows installation media and stopped after the first phase of the installation into partition 1? Or that you have stored the installation ISO in that partition? Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 20:52
  • I have the installation ISO on partition 1 and I was to use that ISO to install the OS on partition 2. Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 21:51
  • You can't, since you need to boot this ISO, and then the ISO is closed. You need to create a bootable USB from that ISO. And then the 20GB becomes just lost space. Commented Mar 14, 2024 at 21:53
  • I have partition 1 as a bootable disk. And that's what I am using as an installer to install Win 10 on partition 2. Commented Mar 15, 2024 at 14:07

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