Question Will I keep Windows 10 and my Data if I move my HDDs?

[bigboom874]

Hi everyone,

I've recently been given a new PC, which has much better parts than my current one. I was wondering if I will be able to keep all of my data, all of my software, and windows 10 if I simply replace the new PC's current HDDs with the HDDs in my current PC?

If this is the wrong thread for this question I apologise, though I would like to ensure I can transfer all of my software and data, as well as having the better PC.

Thanks.

 

[xd memebot]

On which disc is windows Installed? On your HDD or do you have an SSD with windows on it?

 

[bigboom874]

On which disc is windows Installed? On your HDD or do you have an SSD with windows on it?

I have two HDDs, both of which I'll move to the other PC. Windows is installed on one of them.

 

[xd memebot]

In theory you could move your files to a temp cloud and just do a clean install of windows without license.

 

[xd memebot]

I'm not so familiar with this because i'm not really experienced, but you don't have to get a windows license to run windows you can run it without.

And if you want all your files i suggest put them on a google drive and download after.

 

[Colif]

Hi everyone,

I've recently been given a new PC, which has much better parts than my current one. I was wondering if I will be able to keep all of my data, all of my software, and windows 10 if I simply replace the new PC's current HDDs with the HDDs in my current PC?

If this is the wrong thread for this question I apologise, though I would like to ensure I can transfer all of my software and data, as well as having the better PC.

Thanks.

how many hard drives in current PC?

You can run into all sorts of problems just swapping hard drives from one PC to another, the licence will deactivate and you likely to have weird errors because the hardware in new PC is not going to be the same as old one.

Have a look here to see how to move licence from old hardware to new - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

but that process expects you to reinstall windows on new PC, not move the physical drives. You are better off backing up your data onto a cloud like suggested already, or if you have 2 hdd in PC, put everything you want to save onto one drive and put Win 10 on other hdd once its in new PC.

you can get the Installer from here - On another PC, download the Windows 10 media creation tool (2nd link on page) and use it to make a win 10 installer on USB

When it comes to installing, only have 1 drive in PC.
follow this guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/how-to-do-a-clean-installation-of-windows-10.3170366/

then following the microsoft link above to reactive the licence.

 

[xd memebot]

yeah what the guy above me said look pretty good.
Probably Titan for a reason xd

 

[hang-the-9]

Another issue with re-using the old drives in the newer computer, you are re-using older drives. Those are more likely to fail sooner and are very likely slower.

Best thing here would be to not even use the drive that came with the other system. Since you got it free, buy a solid state drive, 250, even 500 gb ones are priced very well now. Install Windows clean on that, plug in your old drives for storage. You will need to install programs again but that is not a big issue usually, and a lot cleaner than trying to boot Windows from another computer.