This is kind of a tough question to word out but I am gonna try my best. Right now I have a 1tb hard drive that has windows 8.1 on it as well as all my files that I have downloaded. I am currently in the process of getting a new computer and since I need more room I am getting a new hard drive. What I want to do is basically take my old hard drive and just plug it into my new computer when I get it. However, I don't want the OS to come with it since the hard drive I am getting has windows preinstalled on it. Is it possible for me to just move the files on the hard drive over or not? Any information for this kind of situation would be great. Another idea I had was just getting rid of the preinstalled windows that was coming with my new computer and instead I would just have the formatted hard drive. With this way, would I be able to keep the OS on the old hard drive and make it my new OS for the new computer when I transfer it over? If someone could please inform me on possible ways to take care of this it would be much appreciated.
How do I transfer all the files from an computer to a new computer. (Without the OS)
- Thread starter mafiii
- Start date
Solution
- Mar 16, 2013
- 171,486
- 17,933
- 184,590
1. You almost certainly can't use the old OS in its current condition in the new PC.
Just use the OS that comes with the new system.
2. Transfer stuff from the old to the new?
Files, yes. video, doc, music...no problem. Just copy them over. Shared folders, and both systems connected to the router makes this easy.
Applications, no. These will need to be reinstalled on the new system.
Just use the OS that comes with the new system.
2. Transfer stuff from the old to the new?
Files, yes. video, doc, music...no problem. Just copy them over. Shared folders, and both systems connected to the router makes this easy.
Applications, no. These will need to be reinstalled on the new system.
bambiboom
Splendid
- Apr 7, 2012
- 2,462
- 5
- 21,965
mafiii,
Unless the new system has the identical BIOS to the old system and the Windows is OEM, you will need to install and activate Windows on the new system. Even when the systems are the same make and model, Windows will not run as well when simply plugged in. By all means possible, keep the preinstalled Windows on the new system.
]1.[/b] The C: drive in the new system will attached to SATA 0. Complete in every detail the C: drive in the new system loading all programs and accessory programs including browsers, antivirus and etc. Use the disk clean option in Win Explorer /Properties between to remove installation files and logs. If it's not an SSD, defragment / consolidate the C: drive between every large program install until complete.
2. On the original system, use the opportunity to review the file structure, folder names, and remove useless of obsolete files and/or create Archive folders separate from the active ones. Defragment (if not SSD) .
3. To transfer your files, simply plug the source drive to SATA 1 in the new system and use Windows Explorer to copy every folder to the new drive. When the computer is started, it will run on the new OS as that drive (on SATA 0) is listed in the boot sequence.
4. Check for possible duplication and the integrity of the files. Open the latest file from each program you use and see if it runs it properly. This will help organize the workspace settings on the new system as well.
5. Keep the original files on the old drive as long as possible, until you're absolutely sure you have everything and they work. When you're certain, format the old drive, allocate the space and create any partitions you might want and that space is available for use. A very useful utility for these operation is the free version of EaseUs Partition Master.
Option: Consider creating a partition for the OS/programs- giving it plenty of expansion space- and another or others for the files. For example, on one of my the current systems, the main OS/Programs drive is an Intel 730 580GB SSD. This has a 200GB partition for OS /Programs and the reminder for the active files. The mechanical HD has partitions for libraries, program-related, archive, and media files.
Cheers,
BambiBoom
Unless the new system has the identical BIOS to the old system and the Windows is OEM, you will need to install and activate Windows on the new system. Even when the systems are the same make and model, Windows will not run as well when simply plugged in. By all means possible, keep the preinstalled Windows on the new system.
]1.[/b] The C: drive in the new system will attached to SATA 0. Complete in every detail the C: drive in the new system loading all programs and accessory programs including browsers, antivirus and etc. Use the disk clean option in Win Explorer /Properties between to remove installation files and logs. If it's not an SSD, defragment / consolidate the C: drive between every large program install until complete.
2. On the original system, use the opportunity to review the file structure, folder names, and remove useless of obsolete files and/or create Archive folders separate from the active ones. Defragment (if not SSD) .
3. To transfer your files, simply plug the source drive to SATA 1 in the new system and use Windows Explorer to copy every folder to the new drive. When the computer is started, it will run on the new OS as that drive (on SATA 0) is listed in the boot sequence.
4. Check for possible duplication and the integrity of the files. Open the latest file from each program you use and see if it runs it properly. This will help organize the workspace settings on the new system as well.
5. Keep the original files on the old drive as long as possible, until you're absolutely sure you have everything and they work. When you're certain, format the old drive, allocate the space and create any partitions you might want and that space is available for use. A very useful utility for these operation is the free version of EaseUs Partition Master.
Option: Consider creating a partition for the OS/programs- giving it plenty of expansion space- and another or others for the files. For example, on one of my the current systems, the main OS/Programs drive is an Intel 730 580GB SSD. This has a 200GB partition for OS /Programs and the reminder for the active files. The mechanical HD has partitions for libraries, program-related, archive, and media files.
Cheers,
BambiBoom
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram