This article explains how to move files from a computer to a hard drive or vice versa. You can perform this data transfer either between two internal hard drives of a PC or Mac or in the case of external devices.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Determine the type of hard drive
There are basically two types of hard drives that you can use to transfer data:
- External devices - these are hard drives with a USB connection. If they are used on Windows systems, there is no need to perform any configuration or use an additional adapter. However, if the USB device has previously been used on a Mac, it will need to be formatted first exFAT to be able to connect it to a PC.
- Internal devices - internal hard drives are designed to be connected directly to a computer motherboard. In this case, you need to remove the device from the computer, determine if it is an IDE (characterized by a very large rectangular connector) or SATA (characterized by a much smaller connector) memory drive and purchase an IDE or SATA to USB.
Step 2. Connect the hard drive to the computer
Connect the USB cable of the memory unit to a port on the computer. If you are using an internal hard drive, you will need to connect the adapter to the computer and then connect the IDE or SATA cable to the appropriate port on the adapter.
Step 3. Access the "Start" menu
Click on the icon depicting the Windows logo located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 4. Open the "File Explorer" window
Click on the icon depicting a folder visible in the lower left part of the "Start" menu.
Step 5. Locate the files you want to transfer from your computer to the target hard drive or vice versa
Inside the left pane of the "File Explorer" window, click on the folder that contains the files you want to transfer to the hard drive you connected to your computer.
If you want to copy data from the external hard drive to your computer, skip to step 8 of this section
Step 6. Select the files to copy
Draw a selection area that includes all elements to be copied by dragging the mouse cursor. Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on each of the files to select.
It is also possible to select all the files present in the folder in question by clicking on one of the contained elements and pressing the key combination Ctrl + A
Step 7. Copy the files
Press the key combination Ctrl + C.
Step 8. Click on the entry This PC
It is one of the items listed in the left pane of the "File Explorer" window.
Step 9. Access the hard drive you connected to the PC
Double-click the drive name displayed in the "Devices and Drives" section.
- It is normally displayed within the right pane of the "File Explorer" window after selecting the "This PC" tab.
- Do not click on the hard drive (C:) because it is the internal memory drive of the computer.
Step 10. Paste the files you copied
Click on an empty spot in the hard drive window, then press the key combination Ctrl + V. The files will be copied to the external hard drive.
If you need to transfer data from the external hard drive to your computer, follow these instructions: select the files to copy, press the key combination Ctrl + C to physically copy them, navigate to the folder on your computer where you want to transfer them and press the key combination Ctrl + V
Step 11. Eject the external hard drive
Follow these instructions:
- Click on the tab This PC listed in the left pane of the window;
- Click on the name of the external hard drive visible in the "Devices and drives" section;
- Click on the tab Manage;
- Click on the option Eject placed in the upper part of the window;
- Now you can disconnect the hard drive from the computer.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Determine the type of hard drive
There are basically two types of hard drives that you can use to transfer data:
- External devices - these are hard drives with a USB connection. In order to connect a new external hard drive to a Mac, it must first be formatted using the file system Mac OS Extended (Journaled). You may also need to purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter if your Mac only has USB-C ports.
- Internal devices - internal hard drives are designed to be connected directly to a computer motherboard. In this case, you need to remove the device from the computer in which it is currently installed, determine if it is an IDE (characterized by a very large rectangular connector) or SATA (characterized by a much smaller connector) memory drive and purchase an adapter. from IDE or SATA to USB.
Step 2. Connect the hard drive to the computer
Connect the USB cable of the memory unit to a port on the computer. If you are using an internal hard drive, you will need to connect the adapter to the computer and then connect the IDE or SATA cable to the appropriate port on the adapter.
If your Mac doesn't have traditional USB ports, you'll need to purchase a USB3.0 to USB-C adapter
Step 3. Open a Finder window
Click on the blue icon depicting a smiley visible on the system dock.
Step 4. Locate the files you want to transfer from your computer to the target hard drive or vice versa
In the left pane of the Finder window, click on the folder that contains the files you want to transfer to the hard drive you connected to your computer.
If you want to copy data from the external hard drive to your computer, skip to step 7 of this section
Step 5. Select the files to copy
Draw a selection area that includes all elements to be copied by dragging the mouse cursor. Alternatively, hold down the ⌘ Command key while clicking on each of the files to select.
It is also possible to select all the files present in the folder in question by clicking on one of the contained elements and pressing the key combination ⌘ Command + A
Step 6. Copy the files
Press the key combination ⌘ Command + C.
Step 7. Click on the name of the external hard drive you connected to the Mac
It's listed at the bottom of the left pane of the Finder window. The contents of the memory unit will be displayed.
Step 8. Paste the files you copied
Click on an empty spot in the hard drive window, then press the key combination ⌘ Command + V. The files will be copied to the external hard drive.
If you need to transfer data from the external hard drive to the Mac, follow these instructions: select the files to copy, press the key combination ⌘ Command + C to physically copy them, navigate to the folder on the Mac where you want to transfer them and press the key combination ⌘ Command + V
Step 9. Disconnect the hard drive from the Mac
Click on the "Eject" icon characterized by a triangle and placed on the right of the device name. It is visible in the Finder window. Now disconnect the external hard drive from the Mac when prompted.
Advice
- When you format a hard drive, all the data on it will be erased. This is very useful if the disc is to be used on another computer or for other purposes.
- It is a good idea to always partition your hard drive when installing an operating system so that you have a backup of your files and personal data on a separate partition from the main one in case the latter becomes infected with a virus.
