Old HDD, new PC

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Enigmatist

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May 21, 2016
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I rebuilt my PC with new mobo, graphics card, processor and ram but the HDDs are the same. One was untouched so i installed windows 7 on it but the question is: How do i use the files and programs from my old HDD (or move them to my new HDD if using them directly from the old HDD isn't possible) and how do i erase my old drivers and windows files (which do i erase and where are they located).
 
Solution
Phillip Corcoran
Applications (what you call programs) must be re-installed on your new PC using the original installation media-- you can't simply transfer them from the old HDD.

Things like pictures, documents, videos etc. you simply copy them across to where you want them.

When you've finished doing that, reformat the old HDD to wipe everything of it so you can start using it for storage.
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

Titan
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Sep 7, 2013
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Applications (what you call programs) must be re-installed on your new PC using the original installation media-- you can't simply transfer them from the old HDD.

Things like pictures, documents, videos etc. you simply copy them across to where you want them.

When you've finished doing that, reformat the old HDD to wipe everything of it so you can start using it for storage.
 
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Solution
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ArtPog

Admirable
Sep 17, 2014
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Assuming that your "old" HDD contains a viable Win 7 OS, i.e., it's non-defective, potentially bootable, and functional, it's conceivable that you can install that disk in your new build and it will boot in that system.

Obviously there are no guarantees here but assuming that your old & new PC systems are Intel-based and these are non-OEM machines it's worth a shot. There's little (actually *nothing*) to lose.

So if by doing so you're fortunate to have a bootable, functional system as a result, you will, of course have all your programs, personal data, available without going through that rather onerous task of installing a new system.

Obviously you may have to install different drivers of one type or another in the new system but you'll have them available from your new motherboard's driver installation CD. And you may be pleasantly surprised at Windows (Microsoft's) ability to pick up & install whatever drivers are necessary for your new installation without your intervention.

Now should this all work but you still would prefer to use your "untouched" HDD as the boot drive, you can always utilize a data-migration (disk-cloning) program for the transfer of the entire contents of the "old" HDD to the "untouched" one.
 
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