Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Vista HDD as External Storage for Win7 System

Apr 22, 2012 6:53AM PDT

I want to use the old HDD from my Vista unit (motherboard died) for External (USB) storage on two Win7 units and also to recover some files from the old HDD. From what I have read I am anticipationg this will likely not be a simple plug and play deal. Any advice on setting it up?
Thanks,
jdr37

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: disk
Apr 22, 2012 7:01AM PDT

It's a simple plug (in an external enclosure) and play thing.

Kees

- Collapse -
Vista HDD as Win7 Ext storage HDD
Apr 22, 2012 8:32AM PDT

Thanks Kees,
When I plug the Ext into the USB willI I simply be able to "open" the "Drive C" on the old HDD and drag and drop the files I want from to the Win7 unit? It still has the original partition for the Vista OS, etc. -- does that not matter, or will I have to redo that?
Dave

- Collapse -
Re: partition
Apr 22, 2012 5:41PM PDT

No problem at all. Just drag and drop.

But you might like to format that partition first to get rid of all data that's on it now. Or at least delete folders like Windows and Program Files and Users (maybe).

Kees