Replacing semi-faulty hard drive, need some advice.

[merk]

My hard drive has been making my computer freeze up and/or crash. I ordered a new hard drive, and was just wondering how I would have to configure it after I install it. My OS and apps are on my SSD, but most of my files and games are on my faulty HDD. I have an adapter that allows me to use an internal HDD as an external via USB. I was wondering if I could just copy and paste all of the files over to the new, empty HDD? Or would I have to format it under the same drive letter first? I know how to physically install it.

[Bastet]

You could try imaging the faulty hard drive with Macrium Reflect free then restoring this image to the new drive when you receive it.
Files can be transferred but games would require reinstalling.

[merk]

You could try imaging the faulty hard drive with Macrium Reflect free then restoring this image to the new drive when you receive it.
Files can be transferred but games would require reinstalling.

Why would I need to reinstall the games? Couldn’t I just paste the files along with the files or would that break it?

[Bastet]

Because the registry entries may be broken with just transferring over. You can’t just copy over program files as they wouldn’t work.
Feel free to try.

[phillpower2]

Any update merk?

Why would I need to reinstall the games? Couldn’t I just paste the files along with the files or would that break it?

100% yes, 99.99% of programs that have exe files cannot be copied across and the ones that can would need someone that was well versed in the procedure to carry out the task, also keep in mind that games and programs in general are copyrighted and have inbuilt security measures to prevent software piracy.