Moving old HDD with Windows 7 to new PC with Windows 8.1

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clankfu32

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Oct 3, 2013
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I'm building a new rig and planning to install Windows 8.1 on an SSD as the boot drive. I'd like to move over my HDD with Windows 7 boot from my old machine to the new PC to use as a storage drive.

Do I have to format the HDD in my old machine first or can I just install it to my new rig as is and format it there? And is there anyway to wipe out the Windows 7 boot on the HDD without erasing any of the data (pics, documents, videos)?
 
Solution
USAFRet
If you are using the old drive as a secondary drive, there is NO problem.

Install Win8.1 on the SSD. Once everything is up and running properly, connect the old drive.
Wipe, and use as needed.

To save all of your pics/docs/vids....

In the current system, create a folder structure outside of the /User/ folder tree.
Copy your personal files there first. NOT the top level folder, just the files and subfolders if any.

When you connect that drive (after all is running on the SSD), and if there is enough space on the SSD, copy those files over temporarily.
Wipe the drive.
Copy those files back to the now wiped HDD if desired.
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kapitalistas

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Feb 10, 2014
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if old pc have OEM Windows instaled you cant move anywhere that hardware and software.

 
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clankfu32

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Oct 3, 2013
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I'm not understanding you correctly.

I shouldn't do what in the first place? Install a new HDD that I purchased to an OEM machine? The old HDD failed so I had to buy and install a new one.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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If you are using the old drive as a secondary drive, there is NO problem.

Install Win8.1 on the SSD. Once everything is up and running properly, connect the old drive.
Wipe, and use as needed.

To save all of your pics/docs/vids....

In the current system, create a folder structure outside of the /User/ folder tree.
Copy your personal files there first. NOT the top level folder, just the files and subfolders if any.

When you connect that drive (after all is running on the SSD), and if there is enough space on the SSD, copy those files over temporarily.
Wipe the drive.
Copy those files back to the now wiped HDD if desired.
 
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Solution
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clankfu32

Honorable
Oct 3, 2013
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10,680


So there shouldn't be any conflict even though the old HDD is Windows 7 as long as it's installed as a secondary drive?
 
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