transfering system file?

Question

I have two hard drives. One that I am currently runing. Another that is empty.
I want to transfer all necessary files to the empty hard drive that will allow me to boot it. I do not want to reinstall the OS, and various drivers. I would also like to keep the programs. What folders/files do I need to transfer?

Answer 1

In Explorer, go to Tools > Folder Options and select the View tab, then check "show hidden files and folders" and uncheck "hide protected operating system files". Then you can just move your entire Windows folder to your new hard drive and transfer your system files over that way. There's no guarantee this will work, though, and you'll still have to re-install your drivers. Sometimes you can use the hardware wizard to skip re-installing the drivers, but it's really not recommended that you do.



If you want to try it, though, open the Hardware Wizard, install from a specific location, point it to your old Windows\inf folder you copied over, then when it asks for files, point it to your Windows\System32\Drivers (or if there isn't a Drivers folder just Windows\System32). As for your programs, you can copy over your Program Files folder but that usually doesn't work all that well.



Of course, you could just skip this whole ridiculous process and use this program: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hdclonefree.html

Answer 2

No can do, as there are way too many hidden system files that you will never see.........



You need to make a ghost copy of the initial drive onto the second drive, if you want that 2nd drive to be bootable and have programs on it at the same time.......... You could make that mirror image on the 2nd drive and then go thru and delete any program files and data that you don't think are necessary or you don't want on that drive........Having the mirrored 2nd drive is the ideal backup as if the first drive goes "toes up" you will have complete info on that 2nd drive, including the ability to boot up and have an OS to use........ you would not sustain any loss.......



But windows just has way too many hidden files for you to find in the first place and to be sure you could transfer them over and then have them in the exact place within the file system for the machine to boot up....

Answer 3

When you boot the computer, the second hard drive should mount automatic. Like the person said above, there are too many system files to transfer and some are hidden. For programs, its best to copy the installation files (.exe), instead the folders.