Operating System (OS) files can be easily moved from one hard drive to another using the Windows Easy Transfer utility. This utility comes preinstalled on Windows 7 and Vista. Windows XP users can easily download and install it on their computer. The whole process of moving the OS files is to be done in two stages. First, you will have to copy the OS files that you want to move from the old hard drive, and then save them at some place where the new hard drive to which you want to transfer the OS files to can access it (for example, on a removable media like a pen drive). In the second stage, you copy these OS files that you saved in the first stage to their new location.
Instructions
Copy OS Files From the Old Hard Drive
1. Double-click the "Windows Easy Transfer" icon to start the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard on the computer on which the OS files to be moved are stored. On Windows 7/Vista, click "Start," point to "All Programs," click "Accessories," click "System Tools," and then click "Windows Easy Transfer."
2. Click "Next" on the Windows Easy Transfer wizard’s Welcome screen.
3. Select "An external hard disk or USB flash drive" option below "What do you want to use to transfer items to your new computer?"
4. Select "This is my old computer" option below "Which computer are you using now?"
5. Click "Customize" below your Windows user name on the "Choose what to transfer from this computer" dialog box, and then click "Advanced."
6. Click to select the check box before the OS folder name that you want to move on the "Modify your selections" dialog box that opens, and then click "Save." For example, to move the folder named Program Files, click to select the check box before it on the "Modify your selections" dialog box, and then click "Save."
7. Uncheck the "Shared Items" check box, and then click "Next."
8. Type a password in the "Password" box to password-protect the files that you are moving, and then retype the same password in the "Confirm Password" box. This is an optional step.
9. Click the "Save" button.
10. Navigate to the location (for example, removable media like a USB flash drive) where you want to save the files that you are moving on the "Save your Easy Transfer file" dialog box, and then click "Save."
11. Click "Close" when the transfer process is complete.
Save the OS Files to the New Hard Drive
12. Double-click the "Windows Easy Transfer" icon to start the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard on the computer on which you want to save the OS files copied earlier.
13. Click "Next" on the Windows Easy Transfer wizard’s welcome screen.
14. Select "An external hard disk or USB flash drive" option below "What do you want to use to transfer items to your new computer?"
15. Select the "This is my new computer" option below "Which computer are you using now?"
16. Click the "Yes" option.
17.Navigate to the location where you saved the OS files in the previous section on the "Open an Easy Transfer File" dialog box, click to select the file, and then click "Open."
18. Click the "Transfer" button. This will move the OS files to the new hard drive.
19. Click the "Close" button.
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