If you use the "Reset this PC" feature within Windows settings rather than a USB boot drive, you may see an option to "Clean all drives." If you toggle this on, Windows will wipe every connected disk.
If you want to be 100% certain that your secondary drives remain untouched, follow the rule:
Run the clean install on your lone remaining SSD. does clean install wipe all drives exclusive
Before booting from your USB, physically disconnect the SATA or power cables from your secondary hard drives. If they aren't connected, the installer cannot touch them.
Sometimes, users realize their files were only on the desktop (C: drive), which is wiped. Even if the secondary drives are safe, your primary user profile data is gone. How to Ensure "Exclusive" Wiping If you use the "Reset this PC" feature
The short answer is , but with a very important "it depends" regarding how you configure the setup. The Short Answer: It Only Wipes What You Tell It To
A clean install is It is not a global command that nukes every bit of storage connected to your motherboard. However, because the interface can be confusing, the safest bet is to unplug your data drives before you begin. If they aren't connected, the installer cannot touch them
When you perform a clean install using a USB boot drive, you eventually reach a screen asking,
While the process is exclusive to the drive you select, human error is the biggest threat.