Clone old hard drive into new computer

[doopydug]

Guys - one of my rigs at work is ancient and slow and I want to get rid of it however, there is so much on it that I need to keep - it also holds so many passwords and cookies that I dont want to lose - is it possible to clone a SATA hard drive in one rig and have it working on a NVME on a new rig, cookies and all?

I really cant spare the time to go through all the different sites and passwords etc

 

[Orcvader]

Where is all the passwords and cookies kept (eg browser)? For passwords at least, I would consider exporting them and then import to a password manager (Bitwarden, Proton Pass, etc.). Would mean you'll also have a backup of them.

 

[doopydug]

Where is all the passwords and cookies kept (eg browser)? For passwords at least, I would consider exporting them and then import to a password manager (Bitwarden, Proton Pass, etc.). Would mean you'll also have a backup of them.

Yeah - mostly in browsers

We did install Kaspersky password manager more recently but that doesn't contain all of the passwords yet as they only get added to its database when used.

 

[Orcvader]

Yeah - mostly in browsers

We did install Kaspersky password manager more recently but that doesn't contain all of the passwords yet as they only get added to its database when used.

Most browsers will allow you to export passwords.

Chrome: Settings -> Autofill and passwords -> Google Password Manager, and there's an export option.

Firefox: Press the menu button on the top right -> Passwords -> ... button on the top right and export is there.

Then you can import them to the password manager.

I suggest this because there's a huge chance that after cloning the drive, it won't boot in the new system (eg BIOS vs UEFI difference, drivers, etc.), and if the drive is encrypted, even if it's not a boot drive it may not be accessible.

 

[doopydug]

Thanks mate - I have just discovered that Kaspersky has a function where it automatically imports all passwords from all browsers lol

DOH !!

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

Take the sata drive out
Shove it in new pc
See if it boots up or not
Windows is pretty resilient nowadays
Doesn't usually bluescreen due to driver difference
Like it did in the old days
Might face activation issues due to new motherboard etc
If not using a Microsoft account to log in
But that won't stop it working

If it boots up OK
Then you know it will clone OK
Whatever make your new rig nvme is
Usually there's a manufacturers drive software which
Includes cloning

Other option
Instead of cloning
Make an image backup
Then not only can you load it to the new pc
You also have an image for future disaster recovery
Just in case