With 3 effective methods, you can easily move hard drive with Windows 10 to new computer, or simply transfer data, from preparation to step by step instructions. Scroll down to explore more!
Many users are hoping the new computer comes with all their programs, settings, and files exactly as they were and keep the same Windows setup without reinstalling. Can you move hard drive to new computer with Windows 10? Is it as simple as plug-and-play? What’s the best way to transfer Windows 10 hard drive to new computer? Keep reading to learn more.
👉 Short answer: Yes, you can physically move a hard drive with Windows 10 installed to a new computer, and in some cases, it may boot and work normally. However, whether it actually works depends on how different the original and new hardware are.
What happens? The new computer loads Windows from the old drive, but Windows immediately detects unfamiliar hardware- new motherboard, graphics, processor, drivers, etc. If the hardware difference isn’t extreme, Windows may install drivers automatically and eventually boot to the desktop.
If the hardware is very different, Windows may fail to boot, restart endlessly in repair mode, be stuck in a blue screen (BSOD), or ask for reactivation due to driver conflicts, boot mode mismatch, activation issues, corrupted system files, etc.
Before you pull the drive out of your old PC and plug it into a new one, there are a few critical things to verify. Do not skip any of them.
1️⃣ Type of Windows license- OEM or Retail: OEM is pre-installed on branded PCs like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, etc., and legally locked to the original motherboard, while Retail is purchased separately and fully transferable to a new computer (using the same Microsoft account or product key). Type slmgr /dli in CMD to check this.
2️⃣ BIOS vs UEFI, MBR vs GPT: The disk partition style must match the boot mode. If the old PC used Legacy BIOS and MBR, but the new system uses UEFI and GPT, the drive might not boot at all. Be sure to check this in the Properties window, and if necessary, convert MBR to GPT first.
3️⃣ HDD vs SSD compatibility with the new PC
Older SATA drives can be connected externally using a SATA-to-USB cable or adapter. But if the new motherboard only supports NVMe, an old SATA drive won’t boot internally. You’ll need to reinstall Windows or transfer everything from one hard drive to another.
4️⃣ Backup first. Boot failures, accidental formatting, driver repair attempts...all can cause data loss. So it’s necessary to backup important files like documents, photos, videos, game saves, browser profiles, etc.
This is the most direct method: remove the hard drive from the old computer, install it in the new one, and attempt to boot into Windows 10. Sometimes it works immediately. Other times, Windows will need repairs or driver fixes before it can start.
Step 1. Shut down the computer completely. Unplug the power cable from the wall.
Step 2. Open the computer. If it’s a desktop, remove the side panel screws and slide the panel off. For the laptop, remove the bottom cover screws and lift the back panel.
Step 3. Find the drive and remove it. For SATA HDD/SSD, disconnect the power and data cable slide the drive out of its bracket. For M.2 / NVMe, remove the small mounting screw. The drive pops up slightly and pull it out gently.
Step 4. Shut down the new computer and remove the primary drive just as if removing the old drive. Then, install the old drive in its place and reassemble.
Step 5. Change the boot order (if needed).
If the hardware is compatible, the new computers load Windows 10 normally. This is most likely when both systems use similar chipsets, firmware modes, and storage controllers.
This method simply uses the drive as an extra data disk, allowing you to access files, transfer data, or recover data on the old computer. Here are two options:
✅ Option 1: Install it inside the new PC: Similar to physically installing the old drive as the primary drive to start Windows, here you need to put the old drive into an empty drive bay instead of the primary drive.
✅ Option 2: Connect externally. Put the old drive into the SATA/M.2 adapter or enclosure, depending on the disk type, and connect it to the new computer. If you are using an enclosure with a power switch, turn it on.
You’ll see it show up in File Explorer under This PC. Try to copy any files you want. If the drive doesn’t show up, try a different SATA port or USB portor assign a drive letter for it in Disk Management.
Windows 10 is far more flexible than older versions of Windows, and it can often adapt to new hardware. However, switching motherboards, chipsets, or storage controllers can still cause major issues. Because of this, moving hard drive with Windows 10 to new computer is possible, but not always plug-and-play.
It’s suggested to create a Windows 10 disk image and restore it to hard drive inside the new computer. It will keep OS, system settings, apps, your files, etc., while reducing driver compatibility issues. You can do this in two ways.
✅ Option 1: Built-in tools. Go to Control Panel >Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and click Create a system image in the left panel. Choose a hard disk, CD/DVD, or network location to save the backup image.
👉 It creates a system image of Windows 10, and requires you to restore Windows 10 image to new hard drive in the Windows recovery environment. Be sure to create a Windows 10 recovery drive or prepare an installation disc.
💡 Option 2: Powerful disk imaging software. AOMEI Backupper Professional integrates all necessary features, offering greater flexibility and compatibility when transferring hard drive with Windows 10 to new computer, even with different hardware.
No one would turn down an easier way. Using a powerful disk imaging software, we’ll show you how to move Windows 10 to a new computer in a few clicks, without booting into the Windows recovery environment.
Step 1. Download AOMEI Backupper and install it on the old computer for creating a Windows 10 disk imaging.
Step 2. On the main page, click Backup > Disk Backup. To move OS only, click System Backup.
Step 3. Select the hard drive with Windows 10 and another drive, respectively. Click Next after each selection. Confirm and click Start Backup.
Step 1. Start your new computer and install AOMEI Backupper again. Under the Home tab and click Restore >Select image to restore to find the Windows 10 image. Be sure the backup drive is connected well.
Step 2. Tick Restore the entire disk and click Next. You can click the drop-down arrow to select full/incremental/differential backup.
Step 3. Check Restore to a new location and select hard drive in the new computer to save the backup image.
Step 4. Be sure the Universal Restore is checked and click Start Restore to move Windows 10 hard drive to new computer. Check SSD Alignment to align the SSD drive (if it is) and accelerate its writing and reading speed.
Step 5. Shut down this computer and then start it up. See if it boots normally to the Windows desktop.
Even when the transfer is done correctly, Windows 10 may not behave perfectly on new hardware. Here are the most common issues and solutions.
If your new computer does not boot normally, but shows messages like “Preparing Automatic Repair”, “Startup Repair couldn’t repair your PC”, or endless restarts, try to repair it manually in the Windows recovery environment. Here are some useful options:
1️⃣ Perform a Startup Repair:
Step 1. Turn the PC on and off 3 times during the Windows logo. On the 3rd time, it should access the Windows recovery environment.
Step 2. Select Troubleshoot >Advanced options> Startup Repair. It will start to repair your computer automatically and attempt to boot.
2️⃣ Rebuild bootloader:
Select Command Prompt under Advanced options and type the following commands to rebuild the bootloader.
3️⃣ Force Safe Mode:
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to force safe mode. Then, reboot and let Windows load basic drivers.
bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
Once it works, remove Safe Mode with bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot.
4️⃣ Change BIOS boot mode:
Restart your computer and press the BIOS key to access the BIOS/UEFI settings window. Look for the Boot tab and UEFI / Legacy Boot Mode, then change Legacy to UEFI.
After moving to new hardware, Windows may load generic drivers or no drivers at all. Symptoms include:
To fix it, you can consider using Windows Update (go to Settings >Update & Security > Check for updates). It will install missing drivers automatically, such as chipset drivers, LAN/WLAN, audio drivers, SATA/NVMe controllers, GPU drivers, etc.
Moving Windows 10 hard drive to new computer may trigger deactivation because Microsoft treats the motherboard as a “new device”. You need to reactivate it using a Microsoft account or a Retail license.
Step 1. Go to Settings >Update & Security > Activation and click Troubleshoot.
Step 2. Select I changed hardware on this device recently. Then, click Next.
Step 3. Sign in to the same Microsoft account that originally activated Windows. Select the device you are currently using and click Activate.
1. Can I move Windows 10 hard drive to new computer and boot from it?
Yes, sometimes it boots normally- especially if the hardware is similar. But different chipsets, BIOS modes, or storage controllers may cause blue screens or “inaccessible boot device” errors. A powerful disk image software gives a higher success rate.
2. Will Windows 10 activate after changing computers?
If your Windows license is Retail, you can reactivate it on new hardware using your Microsoft account. If it’s OEM(preinstalled on brand PCs), it’s tied to the original motherboard and may not reactivate.
3. What if Windows won’t boot after moving the drive?
Try Startup Repair, Safe Mode, rebuild the bootloader, or switch BIOS boot mode (UEFI/Legacy). If nothing works, restore from disk image using software with universal restore.
4. Can I connect the old drive as a secondary disk just to copy files?
Yes, this is the safest method. Install the drive inside the new PC or use a SATA or M.2 adapter/enclosure. You can copy files without worrying about activation or boot issues.
5. Do I need to reinstall Windows after changing computers?
Not always. Windows 10 can adapt to new hardware, but clean install gives the best stability and performance. If you want to avoid reinstalling apps and settings, use a powerful disk imaging software instead.
You can move Windows 10 hard drive to new computer, but it doesn’t always work smoothly. If the hardware is similar, Windows might boot right away. If the parts are different, you may run into boot failures, blue screens, or activation problems.
For the safest, easiest move is using a powerful disk imaging software like AOMEI Backupper that integrates the Universal Restore feature, allowing you to restore Windows 10 to new computer without reinstalling and avoiding driver conflicts.