Transferring the Content and the Music Files from an External Hard Drive


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How do you transfer the content and the music files from an external hard drive to a Windows 11 computer? I tried searching for the answer but could not find it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell OptiPlex 7060
    CPU
    Hexa-Core i5-8600T processor 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0DWPVW A00
    Memory
    32GB of DDR4 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated Intel HD 630 coprocessor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 [Display adapter] DELL S2230MX [Monitor] (21.7"vis, s/n XX-05GX1Y-XXXXX-23J-08WM, March 2012)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender Version 4.18.24090.11 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Version 5.2.4.157
Hi and welcome.

What content? The files themselves? Copy/Paste?
Could you be a little more specific, please.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
Several ways to do it. Here is only 4 of them.. And which one is most appropriate from a time perspective depends on how many music files you are talking about

1. The most common....A manual copy and paste---Ctrl+A inside the external drive window will selects all files, right click on highlighted files, select copy. Browse to Music folder on system drive, right click select paste.
(this copies the files into your user folder while leaving a copy of the files on the external drive,.

2. If you have a ton of music files on the external drive, Use Free File Sync to synchronize the Music folder on system drive to the external drive. FreeFileSync works great, especially if a lot of files are involved.. I suggest you use this method or Option 1.
If the system drive music folder is empty, use the MIRROR option in the app''s interface.. External Drive Path on the left-system drive path on the right.
If there are some files already in the system drive Music folder, use the UPDATE function of FreeFileSync.

download - FreeFileSync
instructions- How to Compare the Contents of Two Folders and Synchronize them

3. You can also use backup & restore software that supports folder backup,

4. Using command line use Xcopy The Ultimate Guide to Copying Files and Folders Using Xcopy
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
glasskuter said:
Several ways to do it. Here is only 4 of them.. And which one is most appropriate from a time perspective depends on how many music files you are talking about

1. The most common....A manual copy and paste---Ctrl+A inside the external drive window will selects all files, right click on highlighted files, select copy. Browse to Music folder on system drive, right click select paste.
(this copies the files into your user folder while leaving a copy of the files on the external drive,.

2. If you have a ton of music files on the external drive, Use Free File Sync to synchronize the Music folder on system drive to the external drive. FreeFileSync works great, especially if a lot of files are involved.. I suggest you use this method or Option 1.
If the system drive music folder is empty, use the MIRROR option in the app''s interface.. External Drive Path on the left-system drive path on the right.
If there are some files already in the system drive Music folder, use the UPDATE function of FreeFileSync.

download - FreeFileSync
instructions- How to Compare the Contents of Two Folders and Synchronize them

3. You can also use backup & restore software that supports folder backup,

4. Using command line use Xcopy The Ultimate Guide to Copying Files and Folders Using Xcopy
Click to expand...
Thanks, glasskuter. Also, even though I do have a ton of music files, I went with the manual copy and paste option (which is taking forever) because the FreeFileSync app was a bit over my head. Therefore, do you know if they have a tutorial for that? Because it looks like something that can be helpful.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell OptiPlex 7060
    CPU
    Hexa-Core i5-8600T processor 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell Inc. 0DWPVW A00
    Memory
    32GB of DDR4 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    integrated Intel HD 630 coprocessor
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 [Display adapter] DELL S2230MX [Monitor] (21.7"vis, s/n XX-05GX1Y-XXXXX-23J-08WM, March 2012)
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender Version 4.18.24090.11 Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Version 5.2.4.157
Tutorials and manual right there on the download page.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3775
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
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