Transferring to a new hard drive after installing new OS.

Erikbir

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May 5, 2015
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(Long story short: i have windows 7 on one drive with all my files and I already installed windows 8 on a new formatted one.)

How do i go about moving my files and programs? is there anything i need to watch out for or can i just move them and merge them?

more details:
My motherboard burned out so i had to buy a new one, meaning I also had to reinstall windows, so I figured I might as well upgrade to windows 8. It wouldn't let me simply install the OS and keep my files, so i had to format my other HDD and install it there.
This HDD has more than enough memory for me to use it alone, so i want to migrate all my files and programs from my original hard drive and do just that.
Can i just click and drag my Program Files folder and select Merge?

thanks very much in advance.
 
Solution
Hey there, Erikbir.

I wouldn't recommend that you copy - paste your Program Files folder. It's not recommended that you just copy a program to a new HDD with a new OS, because there's a high probability that this might not work and you might end up having to reinstall it again. However, if you decide to try it, try copying just the folders of those programs, which you have installed and not the ones which were already there after the Windows installation. Also don't move folders which have been created while installing your drivers e.g. GPU control center etc.
For all of your personal data like photos, videos, music - you can just go ahead and copy it on your new HDD.

I know that it's a bit of a hassle, but it's better if you install...
Hey there, Erikbir.

I wouldn't recommend that you copy - paste your Program Files folder. It's not recommended that you just copy a program to a new HDD with a new OS, because there's a high probability that this might not work and you might end up having to reinstall it again. However, if you decide to try it, try copying just the folders of those programs, which you have installed and not the ones which were already there after the Windows installation. Also don't move folders which have been created while installing your drivers e.g. GPU control center etc.
For all of your personal data like photos, videos, music - you can just go ahead and copy it on your new HDD.

I know that it's a bit of a hassle, but it's better if you install everything on your new drive instead of moving it from your old one.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD
 
Solution

Erikbir

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May 5, 2015
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4,510


that sounds about good, thanks a ton, good sir