How to Transfer Data Between Two Hard Drives

This updated guide examines How to Transfer Data Between Two Hard Drives and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

On Windows

1. Determine the type of hard drive. There are two main types of hard drive that you might want to add data to or remove data from:
   • External hard drive - External hard drives are USB-connected drives. You shouldn't need to set up or find an adapter for your external hard drive if you're using it on Windows, though you will need to format it for exFAT if you're using it on a Windows computer after previously using it on a Mac.
   • Internal hard drive - Internal hard drives are built to connect directly to your computer's motherboard. You will need to remove the hard drive from its computer, determine whether it is IDE (indicated by a several-inch-wide ribbon connector) or SATA (indicated by a narrow ribbon connector), and find an IDE- or SATA-to-USB adapter.
2. Attach the hard drive to your computer. Connect the drive's USB cable to your computer. If you're connecting an internal hard drive, you'll need to connect the adapter to your computer and then attach the IDE or SATA cable to the adapter's appropriate slot.
3. Open Start. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
4. Open File Explorer. Click the folder-shaped icon in the lower-left side of the Start window.
5. Find the file(s) that you want to move. On the left side of the File Explorer window, click a folder that contains files which you want to move onto the hard drive.
   • If you want to move files from the hard drive onto your computer, skip ahead to the "Click This PC " step.
6. Select the files. Click and drag your mouse across the files, or hold downCtrlwhile clicking individual files to select them independently.
   • You can also click one file and then pressCtrl+Ato select every file in the folder.
7. Copy the files. PressCtrl+Cto do so.
8. ClickThis PC. It's an item on the left side of the File Explorer window.
9. Open your hard drive. Double-click the hard drive's name below the "Devices and drives" heading.
   • The hard drive will usually be on the right side of the This PC window.
   • Don't double-click the (C:) drive, as this is your computer's internal hard drive.
10. Paste in the file(s). Click a blank space in the hard drive's window, then pressCtrl+V. The files will begin copying onto the hard drive.
    • If you're moving files from the hard drive onto your computer, do the following instead: select the files that you want to move, copy them by pressingCtrl+C, find the folder on your computer in which you want to store the files, and pressCtrl+V.
11. Eject the hard drive. To do so:
    • Click This PC on the left side of the window.
    • Click your hard drive's name beneath the "Devices and drives" heading.
    • Click the Manage tab.
    • Click Eject at the top of the window.
    • Remove the drive from the computer.

Method 2of 2:

On Mac

1. Determine the type of hard drive. There are two main types of hard drive that you might want to add data to or remove data from:
   • External hard drive - External hard drives are USB-connected drives. If you're attempting to connect a brand-new external hard drive to a Mac, you may need to format it for your Mac's file system, which is usually Mac OS Extended (Journaled) , before you can use it on your Mac. You may also need a USB 3 to USB-C adapter if your Mac only has USB-C slots.
   • Internal hard drive - Internal hard drives are built to connect directly to your computer's motherboard. You will need to remove the hard drive from its computer, determine whether it is IDE (indicated by a several-inch-wide ribbon connector) or SATA (indicated by a narrow ribbon connector), and find an IDE- or SATA-to-USB adapter.
2. Attach the hard drive to your computer. Connect the drive's USB cable to your computer. If you're connecting an internal hard drive, you'll need to connect the adapter to your computer and then attach the IDE or SATA cable to the adapter's appropriate slot.
   • If your Mac doesn't have traditional USB slots, you'll need to find a USB 3 to USB-C adapter as well.
3. Open the Finder. Click the blue, face-like app in your Mac's Dock.
4. Find the file(s) that you want to move. On the left side of the Finder window, click a folder that contains the files that you want to move onto the attached hard drive.
   • If you want to move files from the hard drive onto your computer, skip ahead to the "Click the attached hard drive's name" step.
5. Select the files. Click and drag your mouse across the files, or hold down⌘Commandwhile clicking individual files to select them independently.
   • You can also click one file and then press⌘Command+Ato select every file in the folder.
6. Copy the files. Press⌘Command+Cto do so.
7. Click the attached hard drive's name. It's in the lower-left side of the Finder window. Doing so will open the hard drive's window.
8. Paste in the files. Click the hard drive's window, then press⌘Command+V. The files will begin copying onto the hard drive.
   • If you're moving files from the hard drive onto your computer, do the following instead: select the hard drive files that you want to move, copy them by pressing⌘Command+C, find the folder on your computer in which you want to store the files, and press⌘Command+V.
9. Eject the hard drive. Click the "Eject" triangle-shaped icon to the right of the attached hard drive's name in the Finder window, then unplug the hard drive from your Mac when prompted.