You can easily add an HDD formatted to windows previously to a new computer with it still functioning well. There are a few different ways that you can use your old hard drive when you get a new computer.
I have worked in the IT field for a few years now, but I have been fiddling with computer parts and the sort for much longer.
Throughout this article, I will share my techy knowledge with you and show you how you can utilize your old hard disk drive.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- You will need to remove your old hard drive from wherever it is to use it in your new computer.
- You can install the old HDD into your new computer if it is compatible and has the physical space.
- You can also use an external drive enclosure or SATA to USB adapter to use your old HDD without having to install it internally.
Remove Your Old HDD to Use It in Your New Computer
The first step to using your old HDD in a new device is to remove or have it removed from your old one. Depending on the device you remove it from, this is simple to do. Removing it from a desktop will be more straightforward in most cases, but removing it from a laptop could be much more complicated.
For a desktop computer, you will need a Phillips head screwdriver and some free time. This task should be for novices since it won’t require much other than unscrewing and unplugging unless you plan on reusing that old device in some way.
Unscrew the side panel of your desktop and pop/slide it off. Once it is free, look for the hard drive cage, which houses all your drives. There might be a few holding it in place. Unscrew those, unplug the SATA connectors, and voila. Your HDD is free and ready for you to use elsewhere.
Removing your HDD/SSD from your laptop may be a little bit more complicated. This is only because you are working with much more fragile hardware and much smaller screws, which sometimes require a small Phillips head screwdriver.
Install Your Old Drive on a New Computer
If your new desktop computer is compatible, you can just as easily install this drive into your new computer. Find the drive cage, and slide it into place; use some small screws to get it into place.
Once it is in place, then you will have to connect the SATA data cable from the port on the motherboard and the SATA power cable from the PSU to power it. Once you boot into your computer, it may now appear as the D: drive.
If it does not need to be reformatted, then all the data and files will remain. Unfortunately, none of the software you installed on it will move over. You can now use this old drive on your new computer to expand your storage space.
Use an External Drive Reader on Your New Computer
If you do not want to go through the installation process above, there is an easier alternative that some might even prefer. You can purchase a USB 3.0 to SATA drive docking station to use your old HDD on a new device.
All you will have to do for this one is make sure there is an empty outlet nearby and some free desk space to set the docking station on. Plug everything in, and slide your HDD into the docking station,
Your new computer should instantly recognize it if it is properly functioning, and you will be able to access your old HDD with ease.
Final Thoughts
As long as the old hard drive is fully functional, it is entirely possible to use it on your new computer. After removing it from the old device, you can either install it into your new one or use something like a USB docking station to access the data on it with ease.
