It happens many a time. You have an unused internal hard drive lying idle. You just want to convert this internal hard drive into an external hard drive. Will that be possible? Well, yes – it is very much possible. It is just that you need to be careful enough in handling the delicate parts carefully. Let us check out a few products that can be helpful enough in this venture.
Contents
- 1 How to Make SATA to USB Converter?
- 2 Best External Hard Drive Enclosure to Convert Internal Hard Drive to External USB
- 2.1 Orico 2.5 inch SSD SATA – Best External Hard Drive Portable Enclosure
- 2.2 Transcend 2.5″ Portable Internal HDD/SSD Enclosure Casing
- 2.3 UGREEN SATA to USB Cable – Best Way to Convert Internal Hard Drive to External USB
- 2.4 Cable World USB 3.0 to 2.5″ SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable
- 2.5 RISEON Kesu Elements 2.5 inch SSD SATA Hard Disk External Portable Case Cover
- 3 What are the differences between an HDD, SSD and a Hybrid Drive?
- 4 Conclusion – Can I use an Old Internal Hard Drive as an External HDD?
How to Make SATA to USB Converter?
Before you begin converting your internal hard drive into an external drive, you will need to have a few elements ready before you can proceed ahead. If you have examined an internal hard drive, you would clearly notice that it does not have any connections and protective cover. You may also need connectors.
Best External Hard Drive Enclosure to Convert Internal Hard Drive to External USB
There are a few things you need to take care of if you are opting for an enclosure. The size of the internal hard drive you want to use with the enclosure will need to be assessed before you opt for an enclosure.
Orico 2.5 inch SSD SATA – Best External Hard Drive Portable Enclosure
The Orico 2.5 inch SSD SATA Hard Disk External Portable Case Cover is an excellent option which can best suit your 2.5 inch hard drives. The case is made of transparent ASB material for protecting your internal hard drive. It also comes with a blue LED indicator.
Buy Now on Amazon (India) Buy Now on Amazon (USA)
It can provide you access to a USB 3.0 to SATA 3.0 speeds at 5.0 Gbps connectivity. The connectivity speeds reach up to 10 times better than the USB 2.0 standard.
Pros
- You would need no installation tools of any nature.
- Transparent looks enhance the quality of the enclosure and thereby your drive.
- Real USB 3.0 connectivity for enhanced performance.
- LED notifications.
Cons
- There are no rubber pads for an effective grip.
Q: Can it be used for cloning the HDD or SSSD?
A: Yes, you can easily use the enclosure for cloning purposes.
Q: Does the enclosure come with the cable?
A: Yes, you get the USB cable as part of the sales package.
Transcend 2.5″ Portable Internal HDD/SSD Enclosure Casing
Stylishly designed enclosure made of Aluminium, the Transcend 2.5″ Portable internal HDD/SSD Enclosure Casing provides you with an excellent USB 3.0 interface. The enclosure should be a great choice for every one of your data transfer needs. The easier plug and play compatibility is what would make it a perfect choice.
Buy Now on Amazon (India) Buy Now on Amazon (USA)
Best suited for laptop hard drives, it should save your hard drives from the accidental bumps and falls. The enclosure does come with the Transcend Elite data management software. The drive also supports USAP function. Excellent build quality is one of the strong points.
Pros
- Highly portable design.
- A stylish and beautiful design.
- Faster performance standards.
Cons
- You have no access to tool free design.
Q: Will it work with Windows 10?
A: Yes, it does work with Windows 10.
Q: Does it need a power cord?
A: No. It takes power from the same USB cable.
UGREEN SATA to USB Cable – Best Way to Convert Internal Hard Drive to External USB
You can make use of the converter adapter to connect any of the 2.5″ or 3.5″ SATA HDD mobile enclosure to your computer/laptop. The USB 3.0 connectivity should ensure that you have access to minimum speeds of up to 5 Gbps. The UASP connectivity is yet another added advantage that ensures faster performance. This is indeed one of the best and the fastest way to convert internal hard drive to external USB 3.0.
Buy Now on Amazon (India) Buy Now on Amazon (USA)
The product is compatible with a wide range of platforms like PS4, Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X. Supports 2.5 ” 3.5 ” SATA HDD SSD. Plug and Play compatibility should be helpful in better connectivity without any software and additional tools.
Pros
- It comes with a broader compatibility with both 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches hard drives.
- A 20 per cent higher speed with UASP support.
- It does not need any extra power requirement.
Cons
- No major cons.
Q: Will it detect the encrypted drive?
A: Yes, it can detect and connect.
Q: What is the total cable length?
A: The total cable length you would get is 24 inches.
Cable World USB 3.0 to 2.5″ SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable
The Cable World USB 3.0 to 2.5″ SATA III Hard Drive Adapter Cable is a good option for connecting your internal hard drive and its enclosure with your device. As the name itself should be indicative enough, you should find the cable suitable for 2.5″ SATA Hard Drive. The connector is quite affordable and lightweight.
The cable can be used to connect SATA to USB 3.0 converter. It supports multiple manufacturers like WD, Seagate, Toshiba, Intel, and Samsung.
Pros
- A clever and simplified design that helps you connect your computer to the SATA hard drive.
- Compatible with USB 2.0 and thus should meet most of your needs.
- Hot swap compatible and plug and play functionality are what would make it a great choice.
- Easy portability.
Cons
- The connector may not work with the faster SATA drives with NAND technology in some cases.
Q: Does it supports Windows 10?
A: Yes, it supports a wide range of operating systems including previous versions of Windows.
Q: Does it work with 3.5 inch drives?
A: No, you will be able to use it only with 2.5 inch drives.
RISEON Kesu Elements 2.5 inch SSD SATA Hard Disk External Portable Case Cover
The RISEON Kesu Elements 2.5 inch SSD SATA Hard Disk External Portable Case Cover is a great option for connecting the SATA and SSD drives that offer you an exceptional choice for converting your internal drive into an external hard drive. Made of an ASB fireproof material should ideally make it quite elegant enough.
You also have access to the LED indicator for a better connectivity indication. You can experience the theoretical USB 3.0 speeds at 5 Gbps for an enhanced transfer performance.
Pros
- The UASP protocol provides you an enhanced transfer speed.
- An easy installation option without the need for any tools.
- The compact design that enhances the portability.
- An excellent data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
Cons
- Once closed, it may not be easy to open again.
- It requires a high degree of power requirement.
Q: Does it support SSD?
A: It works with both SSD and HDDs.
Q: Can it be assembled in an easy manner?
A: Yes, it does not offer you an instruction manual, but should let you install it easily.
Conclusion – Can I use an Old Internal Hard Drive as an External HDD?
Well, if you are looking to convert your internal hard drives into external drives – the essential elements that you need to work out for. The enclosures and the connectors you choose for the best performance should be based on a good deal of research into which drives you to want to work with. The size of the drive supported, and the connection standards should ideally play an important role in choosing the right kind of accessories. We assume the options featured here should provide you with enough inputs into how to choose the components.
If you have been into converting any of your unused internal hard drives into an external hard drive, do let us know your thoughts and experiences so that the horizon of our knowledge may get a piece of enhanced information.
A mom to 2 kids, Sandhya has been passionate about cooking and home decor since her early twenties. She loves spends more than enough time researching & then buying useful home & kitchen appliances and trying out new recipes.
Below are my Social Handles:
