Accessing old hard drive on new/different PC

[SteggerZario]

So there's a problem with my PC and I'm planning to purchase a new one.

Problem is that my current PC contains an OEM license of Win10 so I'd assume that the hard drive has to be connected this mobo and this mobo only to work

Now I'm worried that I won't be able to plug this hard drive into a different PC (as a secondary hard drive) to read the files or use a Hard Drive reader to achieve the same thing. I'm hoping I can retrieve these files

Worst case scenario would be that my Motherboard is not working. If it is not, is there still a way for me to access my HDD files?

Thank you

 

[Math Geek]

plugging in the hdd to get to the files won't be bothered at all by the windows install.

that only comes into play if you are trying to boot the old drive on the new system. but so long as you have a valid win 10 install, then simply plugging in the old drive as a second drive to get to data is not a problem at all. i do this all the time for clients to back-up data for a new system.

 

[SteggerZario]

plugging in the hdd to get to the files won't be bothered at all by the windows install.

that only comes into play if you are trying to boot the old drive on the new system. but so long as you have a valid win 10 install, then simply plugging in the old drive as a second drive to get to data is not a problem at all. i do this all the time for clients to back-up data for a new system.

So even if that hard drive had a windows password on, I'm guessing I can still access it?

 

[smorizio]

if the old drive is sata you should be able to plug it in and read your files. if it an older ide drive they do make ide to usb kits to be able to plug in older ide drives to usb ports. or you could drop the drive into a ext case. if the pc is working fine now you can use google or another online cloud storage to move your personal files now. then move them back or use a large usb stick.

 

[Math Geek]

So even if that hard drive had a windows password on, I'm guessing I can still access it?

should be no problem. but since you have access to the hdd now, why not go ahead and remove the password so you don't run into any issues that way. normally simply, "taking ownership" of any files from the new pc is enough.

but why take the risk and go ahead and remove the password on the stuff now and save some possible issues