Move Boot drive between 2 identical computers.

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
       #1

    Move Boot drive between 2 identical computers.


    In the near future I may have to spend many months in a row at 2 different locations (let's say about 8 months in Asia and 4 months in Europe) for many years to come.
    As I don't want a notebook, I was considering building 2 identical computers at the 2 locations and just bring the boot (&data) SSD with me while traveling (and so Windows will keep being updated on one machine, then moved to the other and so on).
    Assuming I have a retail Windows 10 license (and so I should not face any problems with Windows licensing system), do you think this solution is possible and hassle free? or I may run into drivers/etc problems anyway? mostly considering that it wouldn't be a "one and done" kind of thing but something I would have to repeat about 2 times a year.

    Thanks in advance :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 524
    Windows 11 Pro x64, Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Even with "identical" computers Windows will see a difference in the motherboards and require reactivation. At some point, this will cause you to use telephone activation.
    Drivers would only be an issues if you use different components in the two computers.
    Other installed software that is licensed, would also require activation on the different machines each time, e.g. Microsoft Office.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    pbcopter said:
    Even with "identical" computers Windows will see a difference in the motherboards and require reactivation. At some point, this will cause you to use telephone activation.
    Drivers would only be an issues if you use different components in the two computers.
    Other installed software that is licensed, would also require activation on the different machines each time, e.g. Microsoft Office.
    Do you maybe have any idea how often would I need to do the telephone activation with a Retail license? if it's something like once every 4 times (so once every 2 years in my case) that wouldn't be too bad.
    Thanks a lot :)
      My Computer


  4. Gas
    Posts : 174
    WINDOWS 10 PRO Updated to last Build
       #4

    tacchan23 said:
    Do you maybe have any idea how often would I need to do the telephone activation with a Retail license? if it's something like once every 4 times (so once every 2 years in my case) that wouldn't be too bad.
    Thanks a lot :)
    Bring also the motherboard with you.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Enterprise x64 Build 1607
       #5

    This seems like a ass backwards way to do things. Why not just build a small computer like a NUC and carry it with you.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #6

    Haxcid said:
    This seems like a ass backwards way to do things. Why not just build a small computer like a NUC and carry it with you.
    OR get that laptop and just use it like a NUC with external Monitor and Keyboard etc.


    Retail win10 can be moved to other Machines with no problem , but you may still need to call in every time you swap machines....

    If the two machines were absolutely identical you could perhaps just Image one Machine to the other too ?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 343
    Windows 10
       #7

    But the Anniversary Update now links your MS account on hardware changes to activate without having to make a call to MS.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    Haxcid said:
    This seems like a ass backwards way to do things. Why not just build a small computer like a NUC and carry it with you.
    I agree with this. Or just get a light laptop.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 524
    Windows 11 Pro x64, Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    I would, personally, get a good laptop and have a decent monitor, keyboard and mouse at each location.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 4
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    orlbuckeye said:
    But the Anniversary Update now links your MS account on hardware changes to activate without having to make a call to MS.
    Yes, I heard about this too. But still looking for confirmation to make sure it's true or at least reduces the number of times a phone activation is required.

    Anyway looks like everyone is only concerned about Microsoft license and there should be any other kind of problems (drivers/updates/etc).
    I don't want a NUC or similar because I need a lot more power than that. A high end laptop could be an idea but just recently I had a bad experience with Windows scaling connecting a notebook with 4k display to an external monitor. Also for my job I need at least 32GB of RAM and was actually planning on 64GB for a future build.
    I was also thinking to build a mini ITX case to carry on board of the plane but this sounds like an hassle too...
      My Computer


 

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