I'm upgrading nearly everything in my PC except for my 1TB SSD, which I plan to transfer without reinstalling Windows. Will everything still function properly once it's moved? Also, if I have to reinstall Windows, what's the best way to back up my data (around 700GB out of 930GB) without buying a new HDD or SSD? I want to preserve about 170GB of videos and screenshots, along with files in my downloads folder and some game data (like Minecraft mods). I don't mind uninstalling games and apps since I can easily redownload them. Can I use Google Drive to back everything up, wipe my drive, reinstall Windows, and then restore my files?
2 Answers
You can switch your SSD into a new motherboard and it should work just fine! Just keep in mind, if your Windows license is tied to the old motherboard, you might need to purchase a new one. But if you're using a retail license connected to your Microsoft account, you should be good to go!
A complete reinstall of Windows is often recommended when you're making major upgrades like yours. For backing up your data, consider investing in a month of cloud storage. Google Drive is a solid option; right now they have a 2TB plan for just $2.50 a month, which sounds like a great deal for handling your files!
That Drive deal is a steal! I'd say it's definitely good enough for what you need, especially for backups.
Glad to hear it won't be an issue with your retail license! That makes the move a lot simpler.