Transferring old hard-drive to new computer

[Drewmoe0194]

Hi, I was looking into buying a new computer (Windows 8 64-Bit) and was wondering if I could transfer my old hard drive to the new computer (If so then how?). The reason I want to Swap Hard drives is because I have alot o f things installed that I'm not willing to part with. My current computer is a Windows 7 64-Bit (Windows Vista originally) that I got in 2008.

Current and New computer specs:

Current:

Intel Pentium Dual Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50 GHz
8 GB RAM DDR2
Intel GMA 31/33 Integrated Graphics Card
Pegatron Corporation Benecia (Don't know much about the motherboard..)
200W P.S.U

New:

AMD FX-6100 6 Core Processor @ 3.3 GHz
NVIDIA GTX680
RAM 8 GB PC3-10666 (1333 MHz DDR3)
Hard Drive Capacity 2 TB
500W P.S.U

P.S I'm not very good with computers...

 

[avenseth12]

Make sure you BIOS boot priority is set to the 2 TB drive (new) and then open the case install the new hard drive (plug in power to it and sata cable to it) Close the case and then you should be able to see it when you click computer

 

[Drewmoe0194]

So then will games like Need for speed and some other files still work fine, will the applications still use the same hard drive or create a folder on the new one?

 

[kenrivers]

If you only wanted to retrieve files from the Windows 7 drive this would be easy. Have you checked to see if the programs are compatible with Windows 8? Most programs will require a reinstall though there may be ways around that. I'm guessing that unless there is some sort of dual boot in place (Windows 8 and Windows 7) you will have problems running the programs from the Windows 7 drive. Was the Windows 7 an upgrade or a full, clean, install? You might consider a migration program such as http://www.oo-software.com/en/products/migrationkit that will help migrate programs and data to Windows 8.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
Before removing the disk from the old computer you could try Windows 8 Easy Transfer to get the files, programs and settings from the old computer. You may be able to do this if you install the old drive in the new computer but I can't say for sure.
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/transfer-files-settings-from-windows-7-to-windows-8/

 

[Drewmoe0194]

If you only wanted to retrieve files from the Windows 7 drive this would be easy. Have you checked to see if the programs are compatible with Windows 8? Most programs will require a reinstall though there may be ways around that. I'm guessing that unless there is some sort of dual boot in place (Windows 8 and Windows 7) you will have problems running the programs from the Windows 7 drive. Was the Windows 7 an upgrade or a full, clean, install? You might consider a migration program such as http://www.oo-software.com/en/products/migrationkit that will help migrate programs and data to Windows 8.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8
Before removing the disk from the old computer you could try Windows 8 Easy Transfer to get the files, programs and settings from the old computer. You may be able to do this if you install the old drive in the new computer but I can't say for sure.
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/transfer-files-settings-from-windows-7-to-windows-8/

Thanks, it was a clean install, so I guess I'll just migrate the files and then re-install the other things, or atleast try to.

 

[Drewmoe0194]

Best answer selected by Drewmoe0194.