How to Replace My Dying Hard Drive and Keep My Files?

You really should back up your important files first. Check your user folder in File Explorer to see how much space you're using, then get a USB drive that's at least that size—double it for safety. Once you've got that sorted, you'll need to collect your Windows installation media and license key for the fresh install. When you replace the old drive with the new SSD, make sure all the connections are good before powering it on. Good luck! And maybe call a tech-savvy friend if you need an extra hand!

Not sure if the Macrium Reflect cloning tool has a free version, but it could be worth checking out! You can find guides online for cloning your disk if you prefer that route. Alternatively, AOMEI also offers a free software option that you might find useful for cloning.

Just a reminder: if you’re keeping important files, a backup is essential. Make sure your backup plan is solid before you dive in. Restoring your files after installing Windows on the new drive might also be a good chance to check that your backups are functional.

You can definitely install Windows on the new M.2 drive and keep the old hard drive for your files. Just make sure to set the M.2 as your boot device after installing. You can access your old hard drive as a secondary drive afterwards. Cloning the HDD to the SSD is possible, but I wouldn't recommend it; it might bring over issues from the old drive. It’s usually better to do a fresh install and just transfer the files over manually.

If you're considering cloning, make sure your motherboard supports the new M.2 SSD! If the old HDD is SATA, it should work if the motherboard has an NVME slot. Just don't forget to back up your files first, regardless of which method you choose.