Installing an SSD with a clean Windows install but want to use HDD

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rpeopler

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Dec 8, 2012
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I recently purchased Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD, as my 5 year-old 7200RPM drive simply isn't cutting it anymore. Because it's a 1TB drive, I don't want to necessarily clone the data to the SSD (simply because it isn't possible without deleting a bunch of important files), and I was planning on performing a clean install of Windows 10.

However, I was wondering how I could access the files on my old HDD once I have properly installed Windows 10 on my SSD. Would I have to backup the data or would there be an alternate method? Thanks, guys!
 
Solution
Sam Poland
Unless you somehow erase them they aren't going away. Well it's not automatic but if you are familiar with how to browse the folder structure you will be able to easily find all your old documents, pictures, mp3's, etc. Hard drives retain their data (theoretically forever) even if you unplug them. I recently did the very same thing you're going to do. Just remember to leave the old HDD unplugged when you go to install Win10. And observe proper ESD handling procedures when you touch the HDD. Oh, and Win10 requires UEFI boot mode to be configured in BIOS. After you do that you won't be able to boot off the old HDD. Still have access once reconnected, just not boot from it.
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Sam Poland

Sam Poland

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First thing I would do is disconnect the old HDD before you install Windows 10 on the new SSD just to eliminate any possible mistakes. Make sure in BIOS you have your boot priority set for the SSD. After Windows 10 is installed power off and connect the old HDD. You can right click on the folders on the old drive and use "include in library" to make finding your old files easier. You should always be backing up anything you don't want to lose. There are frequent specials for Amazon Drive etc. You will have to reinstall your other software, and I recommend redirecting the installations to your old HDD.
 
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rpeopler

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Wait, so I'll automatically have access to my old files? I already planned on leaving the HDD disconnected during the Windows 10 installation, but when I plug it back in and boot up the PC all the files will (in the absence of errors) be there?
 
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Sam Poland

Sam Poland

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Dec 5, 2013
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Unless you somehow erase them they aren't going away. Well it's not automatic but if you are familiar with how to browse the folder structure you will be able to easily find all your old documents, pictures, mp3's, etc. Hard drives retain their data (theoretically forever) even if you unplug them. I recently did the very same thing you're going to do. Just remember to leave the old HDD unplugged when you go to install Win10. And observe proper ESD handling procedures when you touch the HDD. Oh, and Win10 requires UEFI boot mode to be configured in BIOS. After you do that you won't be able to boot off the old HDD. Still have access once reconnected, just not boot from it.
 
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Solution
coozie7

coozie7

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AFAIK UEFI and non UEFI drives don't always play nice together, so you may not be able to access the HDD once you boot off the SSD.
No sweat, the files are still there, undamaged.
If the above does occur you'll just have to disconnect the SSD and boot off the old HDD then backup the files, boot off the SSD, reformat the HDD and restore the files.
 
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rpeopler

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Dec 8, 2012
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Ah, would I not have to repartition the drive since the OS would be on the SSD? I've heard that I would have to do that.
 
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