Should I register new Windows 10 before migrating HDD to SSD?

I have a few questions on this, so please bear with me!

1) I got a new laptop and Win 10 seems to be working ok. Win 10 has not asked me to register yet, but I guess it will before long. So, should I register with Microsoft first and then change my hard drive to a SSD?

2) Will be using a Samsung SSD and apparently they have migration software, so is that the best way to move the info from the hard drive that came with the computer to the new SSD?

3) No Windows disc came with my new laptop, so how do I make a back up of Windows 10 now that it is working? I've heard about making an image of it and if so, any tips how to simply do that?

Sorry for all the questions. Kind of excited with this new computer and overall, my Win10 experience has been quite pleasant, after deleting all the bloatware!

win10today said:

1) I got a new laptop and Win 10 seems to be working ok. Win 10 has not asked me to register yet, but I guess it will before long. So, should I register with Microsoft first and then change my hard drive to a SSD?

What do you mean by 'register'? Do you mean setting up a Microsoft account? While a MS account can be useful, it is not a requirement. Or are you talking about activating your Windows 10? That's automatic, yours should already be activated. Look in Settings > Update & security > Activation and it should tell you that it is already activated with a digital licence. Nothing more for you to do.

3) No Windows disc came with my new laptop, so how do I make a back up of Windows 10 now that it is working? I've heard about making an image of it and if so, any tips how to simply do that?

There may well be a factory restore image, perhaps on a hidden partition. Methods vary between manufacturers as to how to do a factory reset or make a backup copy of the factory image (though the tools to do that may have been in the bloatware you removed), Check you manual or the manufacturer's support site. Of course, you can always download install media from Microsoft if you ever need to do a clean install.

As for backing up your specific system with the bloatware removed, your own programs installed and set up as you like it, Macrium Reflect (free) is widely recommended on these boards.

Bree said:

What do you mean by 'register'? Do you mean setting up a Microsoft account? While a MS account can be useful, it is not a requirement. Or are you talking about activating your Windows 10? That's automatic, yours should already be activated. Look in Settings > Update & security > Activation and it should tell you that it is already activated with a digital licence. Nothing more for you to do.



There may well be a factory restore image, perhaps on a hidden partition. Methods vary between manufacturers as to how to do a factory reset or make a backup copy of the factory image (though the tools to do that may have been in the bloatware you removed), Check you manual or the manufacturer's support site. Of course, you can always download install media from Microsoft if you ever need to do a clean install.

As for backing up your specific system with the bloatware removed, your own programs installed and set up as you like it, Macrium Reflect (free) is widely recommended on these boards.

Thanks Bee, yes I guess it is activated then. Been awhile since I've done that so was not sure.

I better read the manual then to see where the back up is. Did not delete all the bloatware and left the Lenovo Utilities that came with the computer.

I will look at Macrium Reflect and see how that works, thanks again for the help, I appreciate it!

You can set-up a MS account at any time if that's what you mean by register.

I updated my laptop with a Samsung SSD a few months ago. I used Macrium Reflect Free to image the HDD installation to an external USB drive, installed the SSD then copied the Reflect image to the new SSD using a Reflect recovery drive. I did this since there are advantages in imaging rather than cloning an installation. I can post more advice if needed.

I use Macrium Reflect Free to backup my laptop to an external USB drive once a week.

If you need to reinstall Windows, you can obtain a USB installation drive using the Media Creation Tool or obtain an ISO installation file see below.
USB Flash Drive - Create to Install Windows 10
Windows 10 ISO Download

Steve C, yes I would really like more advice on imaging the old hard drive so that I can put it on the new SSD please. I had a look at Macrium Reflect and was not sure if I had to image my HDD or Clone it as Macrium has both. Until I read your post just now, I thought I had to clone it, but you say imaging has it's advantages. All new to me, but whatever is the best and safest way is what I want. I have a 1T HDD that came with the new laptop, but not much of it used and I have a new Samsung 256GB 850 Pro SSD that I will use for the swap.

I've enclosed my guide which was originally written for moving a HDD with two a partitions (system & user) to a new SSD in Windows 8. You will need to install Macrium Reflect Free, image your laptop installation to a USB external drive and also create a Reflect recovery drive. Check you can boot from the recovery drive. Next remove the HDD and install the SSD, boot to the Reflect recovery drive with the USB drive containing the Reflect image connected, browse to the image you made and recover that image to the SSD. Then boot normally and check out the installation. You can see some further tips in my guide.
Attachment 119001

To make a recovery drive that contains the manufacturer files specific to your computer, click on the start icon and start type create. One of the results should be Create a recovery drive (control panel). Click on that. You'll need at least an 8 GB USB flash drive. Make sure the box for "Back up system files to recovery drive" is checked. This will NOT backup personal data files. This will only allow you to reinstall Windows 10 and the manufacturer software that came with the computer.

NavyLCDR, would a clone or image of the disk work as well? I'm just trying to avoid all the bloatware that came with my laptop as it was extensive and takes time to get rid of it all.

Steve C said:

I've enclosed my guide which was originally written for moving a HDD with two a partitions (system & user) to a new SSD in Windows 8. You will need to install Macrium Reflect Free, image your laptop installation to a USB external drive and also create a Reflect recovery drive. Check you can boot from the recovery drive. Next remove the HDD and install the SSD, boot to the Reflect recovery drive with the USB drive containing the Reflect image connected, browse to the image you made and recover that image to the SSD. Then boot normally and check out the installation. You can see some further tips in my guide.
Attachment 119001

Thank you Steve C, very very helpful, I sincerely appreciate the help on this one!