Transferring files to fresh install

[markscarbro13]

I am currently looking at building a new computer for my dad. I was hoping to be able to reuse the hard drive he currently has as he uses his computer for work. I understand that I will need to do a fresh install of windows on the new system and activate it. However, I'm not too sure about what I can back up and restore to the new system once ready. Ideally, I would transfer all files and data as that is essential. Also, I would like to transfer the programs that are relevant to his work as they aren't stock programs you can download in a couple of minutes. Hopefully somebody can help, I'm trying to do research but nothing seems to be as specific as I would like. Thanks. Edit: It's not essential that I reuse his old hard drive, just preferred as I am planning on using it alongside a new larger drive. He also has two hard drives currently, I don't know if that will affect anything

 

[Barty1884]

"Bulk" files; media, office docs etc - can all be simply backed up via "drag and drop" to external devices.

Unfortunately, transferring over programs etc are not that simple - and should be reinstalled to the drive of choice.

Clearly he got the programs from somewhere, so whether that's via disk etc, or take a long time to download - I'd go that route.
Disks are easy enough..... long downloads could be done in advance, with the installer moved to an external device.

Make sure you have any licensing keys of those programs before any clean OS install though.
They should be provided with the media, or via email etc.

If not, there are "keygrabbers" that exist to locate the keys in the registry. If you don't do this prior to a clean install, there's (essentially) no chance of recovery though.

 

[captaincharisma]

for things like this i usually just copy the entire "user" folder over to another hard drive. odds are there won't be any important files saved on the root of the drive

the easiest way would be to get a new hard drive (or a 250-500GB SSD if you can afford one) and do a clean install on that and then install the old HDD as a secondary drive. that way you won't have to touch anything on the drive all the files are on.

 

[markscarbro13]

"Bulk" files; media, office docs etc - can all be simply backed up via "drag and drop" to external devices.

Unfortunately, transferring over programs etc are not that simple - and should be reinstalled to the drive of choice.

Clearly he got the programs from somewhere, so whether that's via disk etc, or take a long time to download - I'd go that route.
Disks are easy enough..... long downloads could be done in advance, with the installer moved to an external device.

Make sure you have any licensing keys of those programs before any clean OS install though.
They should be provided with the media, or via email etc.

If not, there are "keygrabbers" that exist to locate the keys in the registry. If you don't do this prior to a clean install, there's (essentially) no chance of recovery though.

So if I can find the keys for the software that I need to put on the new computer, I will have to reinstall those but the bulk files will be as simple as copying from a backup? Also, I will need to copy windows settings etc so everything is as it is now. Any advice for that?

 

[markscarbro13]

for things like this i usually just copy the entire "user" folder over to another hard drive. odds are there won't be any important files saved on the root of the drive

the easiest way would be to get a new hard drive (or a 250-500GB SSD if you can afford one) and do a clean install on that and then install the old HDD as a secondary drive. that way you won't have to touch anything on the drive all the files are on.

I'm planning on getting a new hard drive anyway, so if I install windows on that one and use the old one as a secondary, will the secondary work without touching it or interfere with the new one in any way?

 

[captaincharisma]

for things like this i usually just copy the entire "user" folder over to another hard drive. odds are there won't be any important files saved on the root of the drive

the easiest way would be to get a new hard drive (or a 250-500GB SSD if you can afford one) and do a clean install on that and then install the old HDD as a secondary drive. that way you won't have to touch anything on the drive all the files are on.

I'm planning on getting a new hard drive anyway, so if I install windows on that one and use the old one as a secondary, will the secondary work without touching it or interfere with the new one in any way?

i did this before where i bought a new SSD and then connected my old drive with all my files on it later and it did not cause any issues. you just need to leave the old drive disconnected while installing windows on the new drive and then when that is finished you just connect it as a secondary drive and windows will find it

EDIT: but to be clear, this will help for "files" not "programs/apps" you will still need to reinstall all the "programs/apps" on the new drive

 

[Barty1884]

It really depends specifically what you're trying to configure in windows settings.

Depending on how long the OS has been installed "as-is", you likely wouldn't want everything as it is now....

As @CC mentioned, using the HDD as a secondary drive would probably be easier (although not ideal)