Using old hard drive for backing up files to a new computer

I have a question about backing up my files on a HDD and then attaching it to a new computer without having to delete backed up files. Would this work ?

Reason I ask this is because, I'm upgrading to a new pc. I'm keeping RAM, all the hard drives (2 TB and 1 TB HDD. 1 TB HDD is for backing up files), power supply and computer case. Others will be replaced with new and better hardware.

BTW, the hard drive, where I want to keep my backups is completely separate hard drive, it doesn't have system files on it.

Is this possible?

- Jack

I backed up just my personal files. Any kind of system files were not backed up.

This kind of backing up files concerns me. Because Windows might format my backed up SATA hard drive.

What are the steps that formatting would not happen and I still can see and use my backed up files?

You shouldn't have any problem putting you old drive with the backed up files in the new computer. Windows won't format it unless you tell it to. If you're worried about, don't connect that hard drive until Windows is installed and set up. That's the only time you might have to format a drive - for installing Windows. I normally don't connect drives with backed up data on them until after I have Windows set up.

Okay, thanks for for the help.