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Transferring files from old hard drive to new hard drive

Anonymous
2020-04-30T00:56:57+00:00

Hello,

My laptop recently broke that was running Windows 7. I bought a new laptop that is running Windows 10. Since my old laptop would not start, I bought a hard drive enclosure so I could move everything off my old hard drive onto my new one.

I am confused with exactly how to move everything onto my new computer. If I simply copy and paste everything on the old hard drive to my new one, will being on a different version of Windows affect how my files transfer? Will it create duplicates of things like Google Chrome or other apps? Is copy and pasting it the best way to do it? 

I am confused at this point and could use some guidance. Thanks for any response.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-04-30T01:09:20+00:00

    Hi Jojo. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

    Apps can't be transferred, you have to reinstall your personal programs.

    The easiest way to transfer files is to sort them into their User folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, Downloads, etc) and then open each of those folders, from Home tab choose Select All, then Copy.

    Now go to the corresponding folder in the new Windows 10, open it, right click an empty area to select Paste. Do this for each of the User folders until all of your files are copied over.

    WHile I know you're not reinstalling Windows, this tutorial for a Clean Install does contain many good tips on what not to leave behind in your old install, how to find and reinstall your programs, transfer files, and also set up and optimize the new install with everything that works best in Windows 10:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I resolved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

    ________________________________________________________

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  1. Greg Carmack 24,770 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-04-30T03:40:04+00:00

    Glad to help, Jojo.

    Yeah a HDD in an enclosure like that is a good external drive for backup.    You can wait a year to see if you need anything else out of your old install, then move the backed up files off to wipe the drive clean and have even more room for storing files, backup images you can use to restore Windows in 20 minutes if it ever can't start.  These are very handy to have and you now have one. 

    Here's an intro to backup I like to share:

    1. You can sync your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder using OneDrive Backup, or just drag valuable files into OneDrive folder, offering 5gb free with additional space for cheap: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn-off-folder-protection-onedrive-windows-10-a.html
    2. Google Drive has a new Backup that allows you to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15gb for free to their cloud in real time so it always has the latest version.  https://www.google.com/intl/en-GB\_ALL/drive/download/backup-and-sync/
    3. In addition I'd have an on-site hard copy backup.  The best way to do this is to sort all of your files into their User folders and then drag or copy them to another hard drive, USB external or flash drive.  Here's how to drag, copy or move large groups of files:  https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086566/the-many-ways-to-copy-move-or-delete-multiple-files.html
    4. Besides your files you should save a System Image back up to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium:  http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-reflect-is-a-free-and-easy-to-use-backup-utility/   You can even use the Macrium program to mount and extract files from this image so it can serve as both image and file backup too.

    I hope this helps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-30T03:34:49+00:00

    Hi, thank you for your response.

    Your answer helped a lot. I moved what I could manually from my old hard drive and I think I was successful. I figure I can always keep the old hard drive and enclosure in case I missed anything.

    Thank you for your help. I greatly appreciate it!

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