How do i transfer/save my data from old hdd?

[Fryser]

Hi im going to buy a new hdd because mine is failing and its also around 4 years old. This is my first time ever switching to a new hdd so sorry if this is a super easy question but i cant find an answer (that i can understand) most answers ive read is "buy this usb thing for 70 dollars" and i dont have money to spend on that stuff just to transfer data, so please help me how do i "Transfer" or save data from my old hdd to a new one?

 

TL*DR: How do i "Transfer" or save data from my old hdd to a new one?

[TheAndroidSentByCyberlife]

http://clonezilla.org/

 

http://www.techradar.com/how-to/computing-components/storage/how-to-move-your-operating-system-to-another-hard-drive-1296831

Edited August 30, 2016 by Reallifecat
forgot link

[TheAndroidSentByCyberlife]

You can check out this video @LinusTech made for NCIX on how to save a dying hard drive: 

 

[zeller]

If it's a desktop just connect the new hhd to the system with the sata cables. If it's a laptop you will have to buy some usb to sata adapter. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-0-to-Sata-Cable-22-Pin-7-15-pin-HDD-Hard-Disk-Driver-Converter-Adapter-/121721716425?hash=item1c572dfec9:g:lqwAAOSwDNdVwHnc

like this one. they are nowhere near 70 dollars

 

if you don't want to install windows and manually copy everything just use a free cloning tool, it will basically put your data, as it is, on your new hard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disk_cloning_software