If I have a hd with data on it, can I install windows on to it? Not sure if correct forum...

[dra001]

I have a 2tb hard drive that I used as a data drive (not boot) for one of my computers. I am moving it to another computer but I want to install windows on to it so that it is a boot drive, but keep the data already on it. Can I install windows without losing my data? or do I need to move the data somewhere else, install windows, and then put back the data onto the drive?

 

[geofelt]

If you can shrink your data partition, I think you can define a second bootable partition for windows.

But, with today's SSD prices, I would install windows on a ssd and use your 2tb drive for storage. A SSD is just so good for everything you do.
120gb at least.

 

[USAFRet]

Any procedure like this, you should always have your personal data saved elsewhere and offline. Just in case.
But this is a perfect opportunity to move to an SSD. OS and applications.

(and you should have a backup up anyway)