Having old computer run from different hard drive

[Havvax]

I have an old desktop using a SATA drive with Windows XP. I have a hard driving lying around to one of my old computers that has Windows 10 (Also SATA). I want to know if it is possible to make this hard drive the primary drive of my old desktop, using the Windows 10 operating system.

 

[Paul NZ]

You could try but it's not a good idea putting a hdd in from something else (if Windows wasnt installed on the same computer), into another computer

It'll probably crash on you

 

[USAFRet]

I have an old desktop using a SATA drive with Windows XP. I have a hard driving lying around to one of my old computers that has Windows 10 (Also SATA). I want to know if it is possible to make this hard drive the primary drive of my old desktop, using the Windows 10 operating system.

Putting that drive, with Win 10, into an old system that was built in the XP era...is unlikely to actually boot up.
There is no magic dust you can sprinkle on it to improve the chances.

Either it does, or it doesn't.
And in this case...I'd lean heavily towards "doesn't"

 

[Havvax]

I have an old desktop using a SATA drive with Windows XP. I have a hard driving lying around to one of my old computers that has Windows 10 (Also SATA). I want to know if it is possible to make this hard drive the primary drive of my old desktop, using the Windows 10 operating system.

Putting that drive, with Win 10, into an old system that was built in the XP era...is unlikely to actually boot up.
There is no magic dust you can sprinkle on it to improve the chances.

Either it does, or it doesn't.
And in this case...I'd lean heavily towards "doesn't"

Could I format the new drive, then transfer all the files from the old one onto the new one, and then make it the primary drive?

 

[USAFRet]

I have an old desktop using a SATA drive with Windows XP. I have a hard driving lying around to one of my old computers that has Windows 10 (Also SATA). I want to know if it is possible to make this hard drive the primary drive of my old desktop, using the Windows 10 operating system.

Putting that drive, with Win 10, into an old system that was built in the XP era...is unlikely to actually boot up.
There is no magic dust you can sprinkle on it to improve the chances.

Either it does, or it doesn't.
And in this case...I'd lean heavily towards "doesn't"

Could I format the new drive, then transfer all the files from the old one onto the new one, and then make it the primary drive?

"all the files" ? Specifically, what files?

The OS? No.


You need to do a full reinstall of the OS, while that drive lives in whichever system.

 

[kango69]

There are programs that let you migrate your XP setup to a Windows 10 computer but you need to have a separate computer running a fresh install of windows 10.
http://www.easeus.com/pc-transfer/windows-easy-transfer-xp-to-windows-10.html
If you just plug a windows 10 HDD from one computer to another it wont boot, the hardware is different !