Hi MarioD. You can use an old HD in a new machine OR if you want an upgraded HD (perhaps to SSD) and one usually does, I use a cloning software to clone the old drive to a new one and then use that new cloned HD in the new computer. Now if your old computer was on say, Windows 10 and you cannot upgrade it to Windows 11 first (perhaps because of the MS restrictions on Win 11 compatible hardware) then it becomes a little more complicated. You might have to put a Win 10 clone into the new computer and then upgrade the OS to win 11. I have not had that experience because whenever I have cloned and moved, I am not changing OS version, but I suspect it can be done.

Cloning software I have used has either been a utility included in a virus scan product or in a backup program product. (currently I am using Hasleo free backup software and I see that it does have a variety of cloning tools). One usually needs an external HD adapter into which to place the new internal HD so that the clone can take place from your Computer to this new HD. Then you just place the newly cloned HD (take it out of the external case and put it into the new computer) and boot.

I just recently did this on a new computer. I hope some of these comments helped.

Last edited by Moonbeam9067; 7 hours ago.