Data Transfer to New Computer

[jrphoenix]

Hello,

I have an computer that I have been using for years for photo editing / storage. My 2 Tb data drive has about 600 Gb of data on it. What is the best way to move the data from my old computer hard drive to the new 3 Tb drive in my new computer? Both systems have Windows 10 installed in them.

Can I simply install the old drive in the new system and will windows 10 recognize it?

Thank you!

 

[Ketchup]

Are you still using the old computer? If you are, and you are comfortable doing such, the fastest way would be to plug the hard drive into the new computer long enough to transfer your data over.

 

[jrphoenix]

Are you still using the old computer? If you are, and you are comfortable doing such, the fastest way would be to plug the hard drive into the new computer long enough to transfer your data over.

I am now... but, I will be getting rid of it / donating it in the near future.

 

[UsandThem]

You can install it in the new PC (you might have to go into your BIOS and make sure you boot from your new hard drive).

Or you could buy an external hard drive case, and use your old drive as a data backup drive, because it's always a great idea to have a back-up. Plus, you don't have to worry about any of your old data being recovered by someone after you donate it.

Something like this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Sabrent-Ex...851&sr=1-10&keywords=external+hard+drive+case

 

[jrphoenix]

Awesome. So, windows 10 will recognize the old drive and I can then copy the data over. I could then make a backup drive or keep the old system.

 

[UsandThem]

Awesome. So, windows 10 will recognize the old drive and I can then copy the data over. I could then make a backup drive or keep the old system.

If you hook up it up in the external case, Windows will treat it as a USB hard drive. You can disconnect it and reconnect it as much as you need with the system on.

If you put it inside your case, Windows will treat it as a hard drive with an operating system partition on it. Doing it that way, you might have to go into your BIOS and tell your system to boot from your new hard drive. Doing it this way, you will have to power down your system when you install and remove it.

I'd never personally donate a system that contained a hard drive that I had sensitive information on, because even though you delete it, data companies and bad people can still recover most of it. In fact, I pull and destroy any old hard drive that I am replacing. Otherwise, I use it as a local backup drive in an external case.