Reading files from old Windows 10 SSD


  1. Posts : 101
    Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2
       #1

    Reading files from old Windows 10 SSD


    My old Win10 PC died recently. I have an entire new Win10 PC now. I've removed the old SSD and hooked it up to a USB adapter, making it appear on the new PC as a drive.

    My goal is simply to copy the entire contents of the old Windows SSD onto my new PC, just so I can access files/settings/etc. However, NTFS ownership and permissions are getting in the way. I know how to overcome this by taking ownership and adding permission, but I am afraid of messing up the file system for later use. (I'd like to look into getting the old PC repaired, and continuing to use it.)

    To be clear, I'm not intending to restore the old copy of Windows over my current; I just want to access the old applications, files, etc.--everything, and long-term.

    Is there a way to copy everything without messing up NTFS ownership/permissions? I guess using an imaging utility to create and then restore an image would work--that way I'd have a copy to work on. Is there a more direct method?

    I saw the article on backing up and restoring NTFS permissions, but that doesn't cover NTFS ownership attributes.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4,850
    Windows 10 preview 64-bit Home
       #2

    I would create an image in a folder on the new PC using Macrium. Disconnect the USB drive for safe keeping.

    Browsing a Macrium image -Browsing Macrium Reflect images and backups in Windows Explorer - KnowledgeBase v7 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase - KnowledgeBase v7 - Macrium Reflect Knowledgebase
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 41,583
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #3

    One option may be creating a new user then opening two file explorer windows:
    a) this PC > local disk (C:) > Users > abc123 > view user folders >
    b) this PC > drive with needed folders/files

    Right click each of the needed users folders (problematic drive) and copy and paste to the new users folder.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14,050
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    Is your new PC a Desktop or Laptop? If Desktop, can't you just mount the old drive in it? The new SSD should be in Sata port 0, the old one in a higher numbered port.

    If you can do that then use How to Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10 to make it eassk to take ownership of any files/folders on the drive via right click context menu.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 101
    Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2
    Thread Starter
       #5

    The solution was to use Robocopy with the /B flag (i.e. "backup mode"), which invokes the SeBackupPrivilege privilege to ignore ACE restrictions. Another day, another lesson for me.

    Thank you for the responses.
      My Computer


 

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