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How to convert OS HD to Storage and maintain all files
I wish to convert a HD with OS to Storage and keep exsisting files.
Plan to add this as a second harddrive with my old files still on it.
I wish to convert a HD with OS to Storage and keep exsisting files.
Plan to add this as a second harddrive with my old files still on it.
Hello @ToLongPong,
Welcome to TenForums.
We will need a more detailed explanation of exactly what it is that you are trying to achieve.
Do you mean by creating aSystem Image
, as aDual-Boot
, or something else?
The old HDD will have a disk signature that cannot be changed and that might confuse booting.
I think you will have to backup your data to an external drive, reformat the old HDD then restore your data to it.
These sources will explain the situation much better than I can. In checking them after posting the links, I find that they contradict me so your task will be much easier than I thought.
Need to fix disk signature collision to format a drive for return - TenForums
Fixing Disk Signature Collisions - MSDocs
uniqueid - Microsoft Docs
Denis
I have two single HD computers, lets call them New and Old.
I have pluged HD Old into new Computer as Storage.
Remembering that the Old HD also has an OS.
The drives are ordered, and the New HD boots to its OS.
Can this Old HD be altered so OS components can be deleted without protection.
Basically, saving files to another storage is not posible.
Deleting the Old OS would give me more room.
Re Info: Let me know what you need, and where it would be found.
- - - Updated - - -
Sorry, asking for info and offering advice without it has me a little complexed?
The currently-installed Windows might hinder your attempts to clear delete the old OS files on the old HDD so you might well have to boot into, say, a Windows installation disk to do the job using its own command prompt [because that will not be at all hindered].
There is some guidance in
Use InstallUSB Notepad as a rudimentary File explorer to backup files [post #33] - TenForums
Denis
PS Do note that this is a public forum. The opinions of posters can differ. Paul asked for further info. I think you have already provided enough for a recommendation to be made.
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We live on second hand refurbished PC's that dont come with Disk, and I do not have a Disk or DVD/CD drive.
I have a Win 10 install OS on USB, that was made online a few months back.
It's not in install features. It's before that or any other part of installation is started. See the link I posted as that starts with the boot itself and tells you which things to choose - Use InstallUSB Notepad as a rudimentary File explorer to backup files [post #33] - TenForums
Denis