Can files be moved from a damaged drive to a fresh one?
Can files be moved from a damaged drive to a fresh one?
Hello, after turning on the system, it automatically enters repair mode in Windows. I’ve already switched to a new SSD because the installation is on an HDD, and I’ve been thinking about moving Windows to a brand new SSD for some time. My question is: can I use the HDD with the existing broken OS still installed? Would there be any conflicts? Should I remove the old OS so I can keep my files and use the HDD as storage? My priority is to retain my unbacked-up files. Please let me know if I’m misunderstanding or if you need more details about my situation. Thank you!
Keep the existing hard drive for backup. Adjust the BIOS settings to start from the new storage device. You might move your files to the new drive temporarily, then erase the old one (so it doesn’t occupy space unnecessarily), and later transfer your data back if needed.
Ensure the HDD is connected via a SATA port (typically newer models, around 10-15 years old). Remove the HDD, install the SSD in the PC, set up Win-OS on the SSD, connect the HDD to the running PC. Verify it recognizes the drive in the file manager, move your files from the HDD to the SSD without overwriting them—save them in your user directory instead.
For better understanding, running refers to operating in a functional state. Always turn off your device and unplug it before handling any components.
Use the recovery setup, navigate to the command prompt, type notepad.exe and select it. View your storage from here, enter your user account in the user section and copy everything to an external drive or SSD if connected. This is the easiest approach I can offer, though you won’t see real-time progress, so keep checking your SSD until everything appears. If you start from the SSD and the old HDD is in MBR format, convert it to GPT before copying. Then move the files from your user folder and format the drive to remove the operating system. Edited November 4, 2023 by WackySpace
You were thinking about switching to an SSD for a while, right? It seems like it might be an older setup, maybe a few years back. Since it was set up for automatic repair, I’d suggest doing a clean install (leave the HDD connected safely). Once installed, switch boot priority to your SSD instead of the HDD. This way, the operating system will tell the OS to use the SSD, and you can simply move your Users folder from the C drive—preferably just keeping the [your username] folder inside. Check the AppData folder (usually hidden) and remove any unwanted software files. If you played games, they’re likely saved there too. You might also want to delete unused system partitions from the HDD (around 600+MB). Some partitions can’t be removed with Windows tools, so consider using a third-party partitioner like Aoomi Partition Wizard. Alternatively, you can wipe the HDD clean using the DiskPart command in Windows.