Can I move ssd/m.2/hd with all files/games/windows from old pc to new one?

[marlin746]

Im building a new pc and I want to keep all my storage/files from my old one. Can I unplug the storage drives from the old pc and plug them into the new, but still keep all files?

[phillpower2]

Data only drives yes, boot drives with Windows on you cannot.

Two reasons for the latter, Windows would try and load the drivers for the previous computers hardware and the system would crash and the Windows product key is tied to the previous MB and is not transferable unless it is the full retail type, the Microsoft servers store the product key and matching MB details on their servers and when an already used key gets detected with a new MB the user gets an on screen message saying that they are using an unlicensed version of Windows + they get locked out of updates.

[phillpower2]

Being that the OP revisited the forum but chose not to reply this thread will be marked and closed.