How do I transfer files from a removed hard drive to a laptop?

[natzuedits]

I bought a SATA to USB adapter, and I plugged the hard drive into the laptop, and now i’m in the control panel looking at devices and i’m not sure how to transfer/copy the files on to the laptop. When I click on the hard drive in the control panel, there’s a browse files option, but it’s greyed out. Any ideas? Thanks

Also, i wanted to see if there was a way to take the OS from the old hard drive and save it into the laptop until i buy a new hard drive.

 

[USAFRet]

I bought a SATA to USB adapter, and I plugged the hard drive into the laptop, and now i’m in the control panel looking at devices and i’m not sure how to transfer/copy the files on to the laptop. When I click on the hard drive in the control panel, there’s a browse files option, but it’s greyed out. Any ideas? Thanks

Also, i wanted to see if there was a way to take the OS from the old hard drive and save it into the laptop until i buy a new hard drive.

When you open This PC, does this drive appear as another drive letter?

 

[natzuedits]

I bought a SATA to USB adapter, and I plugged the hard drive into the laptop, and now i’m in the control panel looking at devices and i’m not sure how to transfer/copy the files on to the laptop. When I click on the hard drive in the control panel, there’s a browse files option, but it’s greyed out. Any ideas? Thanks

Also, i wanted to see if there was a way to take the OS from the old hard drive and save it into the laptop until i buy a new hard drive.

When you open This PC, does this drive appear as another drive letter?

no, it doesn’t show up under This PC, it only shows up in the control panel as a connected device.

 

[USAFRet]

I bought a SATA to USB adapter, and I plugged the hard drive into the laptop, and now i’m in the control panel looking at devices and i’m not sure how to transfer/copy the files on to the laptop. When I click on the hard drive in the control panel, there’s a browse files option, but it’s greyed out. Any ideas? Thanks

Also, i wanted to see if there was a way to take the OS from the old hard drive and save it into the laptop until i buy a new hard drive.

When you open This PC, does this drive appear as another drive letter?

no, it doesn’t show up under This PC, it only shows up in the control panel as a connected device.

What specific SATA-USB adapter did you buy?

 

[natzuedits]

I bought a SATA to USB adapter, and I plugged the hard drive into the laptop, and now i’m in the control panel looking at devices and i’m not sure how to transfer/copy the files on to the laptop. When I click on the hard drive in the control panel, there’s a browse files option, but it’s greyed out. Any ideas? Thanks

Also, i wanted to see if there was a way to take the OS from the old hard drive and save it into the laptop until i buy a new hard drive.

When you open This PC, does this drive appear as another drive letter?

no, it doesn’t show up under This PC, it only shows up in the control panel as a connected device.

What specific SATA-USB adapter did you buy?

here is the Amazon link: StarTech.com USB3S2SAT3CB 3.0 to 2.5" SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable w/UASP - SATA to USB 3.0 Converter for SSD/HDD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_aGBkBbJ8ZCQZZ

 

[USAFRet]

here is the Amazon link: StarTech.com USB3S2SAT3CB 3.0 to 2.5" SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable w/UASP - SATA to USB 3.0 Converter for SSD/HDD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_aGBkBbJ8ZCQZZ

That can't work with a 3.5" drive out of a desktop.
That drive requires both a 5v signal and a 12v signal. The USB port can only give out the 5v.

Will not work.
It would work for an SSD, though.

You need something like this instead:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Docking-Thunderbolt-compatible/dp/B0099TX7O4

 

[natzuedits]

here is the Amazon link: StarTech.com USB3S2SAT3CB 3.0 to 2.5" SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable w/UASP - SATA to USB 3.0 Converter for SSD/HDD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJZJI84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_aGBkBbJ8ZCQZZ

That can't work with a 3.5" drive out of a desktop.
That drive requires both a 5v signal and a 12v signal. The USB port can only give out the 5v.

Will not work.
It would work for an SSD, though.

You need something like this instead:
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Docking-Thunderbolt-compatible/dp/B0099TX7O4

Oh, OK. I’ll look into buying that. Thanks a lot!

 

[USAFRet]

Oh, OK. I’ll look into buying that. Thanks a lot!

I have that exact one.
Your desktop drive will appear as just another drive letter. Copy what you need from it.