Computer Help / Advice needed

[ArnieZ]

I had a lightning strike very close to my house which took out my computer' The hard drive is intact. When i get my new computer can I transfer the data and application to the new computer?

How is the best way to do this? I suppose I could just install the old drive in the new machine it's already running  Windows 10 the "old"

computer was just a little over 1 year old

Thanks in advance

ArnieZ

[specialk]

I can't answer your question, but getting a good UPS (at least) might be in order when you get your new computer. 

[unfun75]

Yes. Just get a cheap external hard drive enclosure, install hard drive, connect to new computer via USB cable and you can access your files just as you would a USB flash drive.

[scottcald]

First, a USB drive dock like this should serve the purpose:  https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Upright-Supports-Systems-Compatible/dp/B01E80N2E8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471718247&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=USB+3+drive+dock&psc=1

Just pull the old drive (desktop or laptop) plug it into the dock, power up and plug into the new machine.  Then just mount the drive and copy over your old files and stuff.  

Second, sounds like you don't have a backup.  Set up a backup earlier than now.  If data exists in only one place, consider it to not exist.  Backblaze is nice for a cloud backup.  It keeps a 30 day snapshot of your data for like $50/year. The first backup will take a while, but after that it's quick and works wherever you have an internet connection.  Also, Windows has a backup system too that I think works with external drive.  Search in the Control Panel.    

[ArnieZ]

!thanks for the advice!!

I do have a backup of everything that is important but it's a pain to restore the applications

I did have protection but apparently not enough for lightning, it sounded like an explosion in my backyard

[scottcald]

OK, glad you do have backups.  It's the worst thing to say to someone that either their files are gone altogether or it's going to cost a lot to get them back. 

If you have a new machine, I'd just re-install the applications rather than trying to get them from an old drive.  They install so many peripheral files etc. these days, that to me, reinstalling, though it might take longer is better.