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- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Hardware and Upgrade Questions
- Best practice for upgrading original SSD

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10-30-2019 05:11 AM
Hello. I'm attempting to upgrade the 512 GB SSD that came with my new OMEN (15-dc1032nq) with a Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB. My Omen came with no operating system. I've read around this forum and came across these pieces of information:
"you should create an HP Recovery USB media from the original and install it to the upgrade"
"Use the recovery media FIRST before installing Windows on the new drive to ensure the Omen software gets installed and works. If you use the Microsoft ISO, it will not have any of the Omen software and the command center is hard to get installed and working afterward."
My question is as follows. Should I:
A. Install Windows on my current 512 GB drive, then create an HP Recovery USB, then install the new Samsung drive, then install Windows on it and use the recovery USB, or
B. Directly install the new Samsung drive, install Windows on it and do something else about the command center and drivers?
I suppose my question boils down to this: do I need to prepare for the drive change in any way, if my laptop comes with no OS? (It said FreeDos in the description when I bought it.)
Thank you for any help!
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10-30-2019 05:19 AM - edited 10-30-2019 05:22 AM
A. Install Windows on my current 512 GB drive, then create an HP Recovery USB, then install the new Samsung drive, then install Windows on it and use the recovery USB, or
B. Directly install the new Samsung drive, install Windows on it and do something else about the command center and drivers? That would be my install decision.
I suppose my question boils down to this: do I need to prepare for the drive change in any way, if my laptop comes with no OS? (It said FreeDos in the description when I bought it.) No. As long as the new SSD meets the specs ( NVMe, TLC, M.2) that the original SSD has, the Cloud recovery flash drive should install Windows 10 to it without any issues.
The drivers, including the Command Center SDK are located at the link below this line. Start with the creation of an installer with the Cloud recovery exe file.
https://support.hp.com/ro-en/drivers/selfservice/omen-by-hp-15-dc0000-laptop-pc-series/20329817
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10-30-2019 05:19 AM - edited 10-30-2019 05:22 AM
A. Install Windows on my current 512 GB drive, then create an HP Recovery USB, then install the new Samsung drive, then install Windows on it and use the recovery USB, or
B. Directly install the new Samsung drive, install Windows on it and do something else about the command center and drivers? That would be my install decision.
I suppose my question boils down to this: do I need to prepare for the drive change in any way, if my laptop comes with no OS? (It said FreeDos in the description when I bought it.) No. As long as the new SSD meets the specs ( NVMe, TLC, M.2) that the original SSD has, the Cloud recovery flash drive should install Windows 10 to it without any issues.
The drivers, including the Command Center SDK are located at the link below this line. Start with the creation of an installer with the Cloud recovery exe file.
https://support.hp.com/ro-en/drivers/selfservice/omen-by-hp-15-dc0000-laptop-pc-series/20329817
I am a volunteer forum member. If my suggestion helped you solve your issue, help others by marking that post as the accepted solution. Say thanks by clicking on the Yes button next to the "was this reply helpful?"
10-30-2019 05:32 AM
Thank you for answering. There is something I don't understand from your reply. My laptop came with no Operating System installed. At what point in my intended process would I create the Cloud recovery flash drive?
Thanks again for your help.
10-30-2019 05:46 AM - edited 10-30-2019 05:59 AM
It is the very first step.
Start with the creation of a cloud recovery usb flash drive and once that is done you can plug it into your notebook and install the Windows 10 OS from it.
The HP document at the link has a description of how it should be done and a link to the cloud recovery software.
https://support.hp.com/ro-en/document/c06162205
You will likely have to purchase a license activation key from Microsoft. The Windows 10 OS isn't free.
I am a volunteer forum member. If my suggestion helped you solve your issue, help others by marking that post as the accepted solution. Say thanks by clicking on the Yes button next to the "was this reply helpful?"
10-30-2019 06:08 AM
I believe I understand. I'll see how it goes and check back in over the next few days to update.
Just a quick question before that, if you have the time to answer: will this cloud recovery method also install bloatware like McAfee and the like? Or just the essential drivers?
Thank you, I appreciate your effort in helping me sort through this.
10-30-2019 06:36 AM
No. It will only install the base Windows 10 and the majority of the drivers.
I am a volunteer forum member. If my suggestion helped you solve your issue, help others by marking that post as the accepted solution. Say thanks by clicking on the Yes button next to the "was this reply helpful?"