How To Add Additional Hard Drive To Win 7 Pc
I have a desktop PC already set up, containing a small SSD drive which is currently running Windows 7 64-bit Enterprise Edition.It has been running for several months now, and it is now time to add a second drive for the purposes of bumping up storage capacity dramatically. I do not want to add a second SSD or do any sort of RAID configuration (either 0 or 1) with the existing SSD drive. I want to add a regular, relatively cheap hard drive.How can I add a second drive to my existing setup and without having to reinstall Windows? What are my options?My existing SSD drive is fine for running Windows itself, plus a few big apps, (ex. But for installing more apps or simply storing data (ex.
NTFS — Select this option if you only want to use the hard drive with Windows computers. ExFAT — Select this option if you want to use the hard drive with both Windows and Mac computers. FAT32 — Select this option if you want to use the hard drive with computers and non-computer sources alike. Some Linux computers or installations will require a FAT32 drive.
MP3s, PDFs) I will need a second, large capacity storage drive.I am assuming I will be forced to create a new partition on the new hard drive, in that I will not be able to extend the existing partition on the SSD across the new hard drive. My only experience with working with multiple drives on the same machine has been with RAID configurations in which the two (or more) hard drives in question were of the exact same capacity and type. In that specific case, having one partition spread across multiple drives has been possible.To be clear, I cannot get away with simply using the new hard drive to store basic files (MP3s, PDFs). I will actually need to install applications on to that drive as well (ex. ITunes, Firefox).I do not know if there is a difference between these two concepts, considering there will be two different physical drives and (I'm assuming) two different partitions - only one of which contains Windows. Installing Firefox on a second HDD instead of a SSD is taking a step backwards.
You will probably want to keep all the applications you use frequently on your SSD so that you don't lose the benefits it gives you.As for multiple HDDs.Typically you will install a HDD into the case. Then when Windows boots up next it will pick up the drive, and show it in 'My Computer'. Double-Clicking on the icon will typically present you with the option to format it. You will need to format it to work with it, NTFS is the better format to use, make sure you set it to quick, a full format is completely unecessary in 99% of the cases.After this Windows will typically mount the drive to the next available drive letter, it goes in alphabetical order. C: is the first drive letter you can use, then D, etc. No two devices can use the same drive letter, and work properly.Now that you have your HDD formatted and mounted to a drive letter, it's as easy as installing applications to that folder. Do not copy applications straight over as this will break registry links and the applications probably won't work.
It's better to install fresh onto the new drive. Firefox was not a good example of an app I would put on the second hard drive-it is just an example of an app. Unfortunately, though, with something like 64 GB which I have on my SSD, installing Windows 64-bit with all of the service packs-after partitioning the 64 GB-leaves about half of the drive usable for installing apps. Throw big apps into the mix like Office or WOW, and you really are going to have to install many (probably the majority) of your apps on the hard drive, not the SSD.–Apr 27 '12 at 2:18.
Hey there, @billydavis!Unfortunately, you won't be able to load old software from a different system to your new rig. Moreover, the fact that this Win 7 OS belongs to a different PC won't allow you to boot into the new one. You need a new genuine Windows installation/activation because the operating system is tied to the motherboard of the computer, whereas the hard drive is just a carrier for the system files.
You shouldn't face any issues with a brand new installation on the new computer, but I'm afraid you won't be able to use the old one.However, you can still back up the data from that drive somewhere off-site (to an external HDD, cloud storage, etc.) and then plug it as a secondary HDD in the new system and use it as a data drive for your files. Yet again, this will still require you to re-format and wipe the HDD clean before you can use it like that. The backup is essential before the upgrade, otherwise you will most probably lose all the personal files on the HDD from the old PC!Let me know if you have other questions. Hope this helps you, though.SuperSophWD.
How To Add Additional Hard Drive To Win 7 Pc Keep Restarting
Hey there, @billydavis!Unfortunately, you won't be able to load old software from a different system to your new rig. Moreover, the fact that this Win 7 OS belongs to a different PC won't allow you to boot into the new one. You need a new genuine Windows installation/activation because the operating system is tied to the motherboard of the computer, whereas the hard drive is just a carrier for the system files. You shouldn't face any issues with a brand new installation on the new computer, but I'm afraid you won't be able to use the old one.However, you can still back up the data from that drive somewhere off-site (to an external HDD, cloud storage, etc.) and then plug it as a secondary HDD in the new system and use it as a data drive for your files. Yet again, this will still require you to re-format and wipe the HDD clean before you can use it like that. The backup is essential before the upgrade, otherwise you will most probably lose all the personal files on the HDD from the old PC!Let me know if you have other questions. Hope this helps you, though.SuperSophWD.
I really appreciate your help, Im trying to make it painless as possible because of the amount of graphic programs and personal settings on the win 7 drive, Im a little afraid of win 10 after all the things Ive read. I was told by someone else on here that I could just unplug the new win 10 drive before first boot and plug the old win 7 drive and it would 'detect' and 'adjust registry' to 'work' with the new computer without any alteration or loss to my programs and settings?, your saying this isnt true? Your saying it work and I will also lose data and programs?