[SOLVED] I want to move an old Hard Drive to a new computer without losing data. How?

[bradencn]

I know how to install a new hard drive fairly easily. My question is simply, how do I take an older 3.5" hard drive that has an OS on it, and put it on my new computer that has the OS on an M.2 that I'm using? Obviously I don't need the OS on the hard drive anymore, but I really don't want to lose any of my personal files when I switch it over. Can someone help me understand what to do?

 

[RARRAF]

you want to clone the drive with macrium reflect then delete the stuff you no longer need its free https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

 

[bradencn]

@RARRAF even after I run that program, I just take the drive and plug it into the sata port of my new system, right? Will I be able to delete the OS part of the drive off of that when it is on my new computer and simply retain my other personal information?

 

[USAFRet]

This is to be a secondary drive?
The new system already has a drive and OS?

No cloning needed or wanted.
Assuming the boot order is correct, just plug it in.
The system will boot from its normal drive, just like always.

 

[punkncat]

The single easiest thing to do would be to plug the HDD into a dock, OR to use the old computer to move the things you want to keep to a USB or across shared network, etc.

 

[bradencn]

@USAFRet Thank you! how do I delete the OS from the old drive to open that space up? Is it by removing the partition? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to make sure I clean the OS off of it to reserve space, but I want to do it without losing my personal files. And yes, this hard drive will be my secondary drive.

 

[USAFRet]

For your data, ideally what you do is locate your personal stuff, copy it elsewhere, and wipe that old drive clean.

 

[punkncat]

This is to be a secondary drive?
The new system already has a drive and OS?

No cloning needed or wanted.
Assuming the boot order is correct, just plug it in.
The system will boot from its normal drive, just like always.

I would advise that "boot order" is (in theory) the correct response. Unfortunately in practice we find it doesn't always work out that way.

Use a dock to plug in the HDD to your up and running system, or use the old system. It avoids "Oops I accidentally did such and such to my OS" posts.

 

[RARRAF]

yeah there is no cloning required just plug it in copy what you need and delete the rest and you have a spare drive.

 

[USAFRet]

I would advise that "boot order" is (in theory) the correct response. Unfortunately in practice we find it doesn't always work out that way.

Use a dock to plug in the HDD to your up and running system, or use the old system. It avoids "Oops I accidentally did such and such to my OS" posts.

Yes, a docking station is a wonderful device to have.
Specifically for situations like this.

 

[punkncat]

Another easy thing to do relies on your old system being up and operational as well.

If you don't already have a Windows install USB or disk, go on the new computer and start one going.
Log on to the old computer and move everything off that you want to keep. After that is done, use the disk or usb installer as if you were going to install Windows. When it gets to the first option, go to advanced and delete all the disk partitions. After it confirms that is complete, just stop the install. Remove the drive and it will be unallocated space that you can format as you wish within the new system.

 

[bradencn]

Thank you everyone, this is very helpful.