Exchange hard drive with Windows 7

Windows 7 reports that your system hard drive is defective and needs to be replaced. Thanks to a new function, you do not have to reinstall Windows 7, just copy the system partition to the new hard drive.

Secure hard disk

Before you replace the hard drive, you must first back up all data. Here it is recommended to use an external hard drive. First connect this to the PC. Before backing up, make sure the external disk has enough free space and is NTFS formatted.

• Go to "System and Security" in the Control Panel and click on "Maintenance Center". Then select "Set up backup".
• Windows will now ask you which hard drive you want to back up and where. Select the external hard drive.
• You can also put the backup on a second internal hard drive. However, it must be a "basic data carrier". Dynamic drives are rejected by Windows 7 as the target drive and must be converted to a basic data carrier in the data carrier management.

Replace Windows system disk

• Now switch off the PC and also pull out the mains plug.
• Touch a heating pipe or other earthed object briefly. This will avoid static electricity.
• Open the PC case and install the plate in a free slot.
• Disconnect the IDE and power cables from the old hard drive. Then connect both to the new plate.

Install the system on the new hard drive

• Now boot up the PC with the Windows 7 installation DVD.
• After booting, Windows 7 starts the installation routine: After you have entered the serial number, you must specify on which partition you want to install. Use the options offered to partition the new hard disk and format it in NTFS format.
• Cancel the Windows installation now and restart the PC with the installation DVD.
• Now choose "Repair Options" instead of "Installation". Windows 7 cannot find a damaged partition. Click on Continue".
• From the following options, select "Fully restore your computer." The tool searches for backup files and finds the backup on the connected external drive. Confirm that the Win7 tool can overwrite the data on the target drive.
• After another 30 minutes, the porting is complete - and Windows 7 starts up from the new disk as if nothing had happened.