Installing second Hard Drive from one computer to another

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Craig Davidson

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Jun 23, 2015
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I recently purchased a new computer, with Windows 8.1. Yet I also want to install the hard drive of the computer it's replacing, while keeping the data still on it. I was wondering, even though the previous computer used Windows 7, how would I be able to install the old hard drive into the new computer as a secondary storage system, without losing any data? Do I just put it in like any other hard drive, or is it easier to use one of those external docks and USB? I really would like to know.
 
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SuperSoph_WD
Welcome to the community, Craig Davidson!

As long as your old drive is a SATA HDD, you won't have any issues plugging it internally using a SATA and a power cable to access your files. You already have a booting drive in your new PC, so connecting an old one to use as a storage drive shouldn't be an issue. However, if you plan to keep it connected to the new system, I'd recommend you to simply backup your data from it and re-format it for use as a secondary storage HDD (keep in mind that reformatting erases everything stored on the drive). Once the formatting is completed, you can transfer back your files and use the space taken by the Windows 7 system files for more even data.
Plugging it externally through a docking station or a...
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

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Jul 30, 2014
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Welcome to the community, Craig Davidson!

As long as your old drive is a SATA HDD, you won't have any issues plugging it internally using a SATA and a power cable to access your files. You already have a booting drive in your new PC, so connecting an old one to use as a storage drive shouldn't be an issue. However, if you plan to keep it connected to the new system, I'd recommend you to simply backup your data from it and re-format it for use as a secondary storage HDD (keep in mind that reformatting erases everything stored on the drive). Once the formatting is completed, you can transfer back your files and use the space taken by the Windows 7 system files for more even data.
Plugging it externally through a docking station or a SATA-to-USB cable should also work. I guess you can get the job done however you want. Usually a booting issue might arise if there was no OS on your new computer, but I think that's not the case with you!

Hope I was helpful! Good luck! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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