nealtw
Contractor retired
You can remove the studs but when you re-frame and add a header, which I assume will be above the original window, you need to re-nail the sheathing to the studs and header. You shouldn't just let the sheathing float over the new framing which I guess will be 6 to 8 feet wide.
The other point was from an esthetic perspective. You have a 3 window bay on the 1st floor, your existing on the 2nd floor match. Putting 1 large window over the three will change the look of the house. I'm not sure I would do that....even as therapy.
I like the arguement about the big window.
He can toe nail header to the sheeting or put the header up one peice at a time and screw the first peice with 2 1/4 screws into the sheeting, if the sheeting is 3/4 plus.