Migrating Windows from AMD PC to Intel PC

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  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
       #1

    Migrating Windows from AMD PC to Intel PC


    Hi all,
    I'm running Windows 10 Pro (64 bit) on my current Desktop PC which is an AMD based model.
    I heard that If I hook up my C drive to another PC (with a completely different hardware setup), Windows 10 will figure this out, download and replace the necessary drivers and just run as if nothing happened...
    Is this true?
    I'm switching from an AMD based config to a Intel based machine. I was planning on cloning my C drive to an empty one just to be save, but can I expect to hook up the clone drive (bit for bit copy) to the new PC and have a functional PC? If not, what are the options to get my current C drive (or it's clone) running on the new machine, without having to do a clean install of Windows and reinstalling everything I have on my current PC?
    Thanks a lot,
    Peter
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       #2

    Depends. Is your OS a OEM or full retail? I went from a Intel PC that died to a new Intel PC with a full retail OS version without any problems. It even remained activated. If it's OEM and tied to the original computer you could activate it by purchasing a new license. I purchased a download version of Widows 10 Pro from Newegg and just used the key they emailed me to upgrade from a home version.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,442
    Windows 11 Home
       #3

    PeterVerhaert said:
    I heard that If I hook up my C drive to another PC (with a completely different hardware setup), Windows 10 will figure this out, download and replace the necessary drivers and just run as if nothing happened...
    Is this true?
    I would not do it, you might not be even able to boot, you might get BSODs afterwards, but it might just work.

    Can You Move a Windows Installation to Another Computer?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hi all,
    Thanks for the replies!
    I Have an updated version from windows 7 which was Retail. Do you think it's transferable?
    Where do I find my Windows 10 Key? Is it on the PC somewhere? I have the key for Windows 7, that's on the install disk.
    Thanks a lot,
    Peter
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #5

    If you did the free upgrade your Windows 10 key will be a generic key. The pro key ends in 3V66T. A PC will only activate with that key if it has a Digital License on record on the activation server. This utility will show you what keys are in use.
    ShowKeyPlus
    I personally wouldn't just swap the drive to new hardware like that. Especially a big change like that. You'll more than likely have issues. Just my personal opinion though. Others may disagree. It will fail activation for sure if you just swap the drive like that. Clean install and it will more than likely activate with the Windows 7 key.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hi again,
    I found my Windows 10 Key. I checked using the slmgr /dlv command and it's retail (just like windows 7 was). As I said I was going to try with a cloned drive anyway. Could it work, or is AMD to Intel to big of a change? If it doesn't work, would it do any harm to the PC? (bios maybe?)
    Thanks a lot,
    Peter
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    My new PC comes with windows 10 home on it as a 30 days trial. Can I use my current key to activate and upgrade from there?
    If so, is there any way of easily transferring everything from my current C drive to the new one, so that reinstalling everything will not be necessary? (Sorry, didn't see the previous post, hence the out of time reply above...)
    Thanks a lot,
    Peter
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       #8

    Is Windows 10 a 30 day trial or some of the installed software? I've only seen new computers come with installed trial programs.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 15,024
    Windows 10 IoT
       #9

    If the current key ends in 3V66T, no you can't use it to upgrade to Pro on the new PC. It will upgrade but not activate if you use that key. If you want to try swapping the drive go for it. I personally wouldn't do it. As far as I know it won't, and can't do anything to the BIOS. Worst case scenario is a BSOD. Speaking of BIOS, is the current PC Legacy or UEFI, same question for the new PC, Legacy or UEFI.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12
    Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    How do I find that out? What is Legacy or UEFI? I bought the new PC as a complete package, so the trial version is allready on there when I get the machine.
    Thanks a lot,
    Peter
      My Computer


 

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