Adding HDD from old PC to new PC?

[Xenoraiser]

I just recent put my first gaming PC together (with help from a friend) using all new parts and so far, I only have one SSD (240 GB) hooked up and installed (I put a new copy of Windows 10 on it). Although I plan to eventually get another, larger SSD, I would also like to have some extra storage for stuff like music, pictures, documents, etc. Now I do have a 1 TB HDD left over from my previous PC (about 2 1/2 to 3 years old) but everything from that PC is still on the HDD (OS, files, and I assume the drivers). I forgot to format it because I'm new to this and I didn't think ahead in that area. But I'd still like to add and use it as a secondary drive.

So my question is: Can I safely hook my old HDD up to my new PC without causing any issues and simply format it so I have a clean drive to fill up with content? Or could I add the HDD, keep the files (music, documents, pics, etc.) and somehow uninstall Windows and the drivers from it and re-use what's on there without having to reacquire everything? If so, how would I go about that? Would I have to do it through the BIOS or boot menu or something else? Also, would I be safe re-using the old SATA data cable from the previous PC, or should I just use the last remaining SATA data cable I got from my new PSU, which is modular? My old PC's PSU wasn't modular. I ask that because I've heard some nightmare stories about people swapping PSU's from system to system, so I'm not sure if something similar would apply here.

 

[Herc08]

You can keep the documents and files, but as far as programs, they will have to be removed, because it's installed for that particular OS. You should be able to connect it via SATA, and when it prompts up to boot, select the SSD. Then go in to This PC, and copy your documents and files from the hard drive. Then format using Disk Management. As long as it's SATA III you are good to go. Your power SATA cables should have multiple ports to connect hard drives on one cable.