Start installation on one PC - finish on another?


  1. Posts : 26
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #1

    Start installation on one PC - finish on another?


    I'm in the weird position of having to reinstall Windows on a laptop with system password. So Boot Option not available. Is it possible to start install on one PC and finish it on another?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Yes. Windows 10 is very good at moving to a new computer.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    As Navy said, Yes

    But what does a system password have to do with the Boot Option ?

    Just hit F8 to bring up the Boot Menu.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 13,848
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #4

    I have had to deal with a few Notebooks that were removed from a physical Network without first removing the password/s, best solution which didn't take long was to wipe the HDDs using the bootable GPARTED CD then install fresh Win7 [branded same as the Notebooks] then install Win10, worked out good. Fortunately the BIOS had not been passworded, would have taken longer.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 26
    Win 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    AddRAM said:
    As Navy said, Yes

    But what does a system password have to do with the Boot Option ?

    Just hit F8 to bring up the Boot Menu.
    BIOS/Boot Option keys both bring up System Password and owner not know. Dell provided master password but no go.

    Reset/Fresh Start are out from within Windows as it does not see a Recovery files to do such. Telling Windows to reboot to USB also not available.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,594
    Windows 10 Pro
       #6

    OK so you need to clear the Bios password, not the system password, correct ?

    There has to be a way to set the Bios back to defaults which would delete any Bios passwords, I`m surprised Dell couldn`t help you out better.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 13,848
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #7

    AddRAM said:
    OK so you need to clear the Bios password, not the system password, correct ?

    There has to be a way to set the Bios back to defaults which would delete any Bios passwords, I`m surprised Dell couldn`t help you out better.
    There usually is a way and that is to remove the CMOS battery, let set for awhile with the power cord removed then put it all back and try again. Works with Desktops but a Notebook/Laptop/Netbook/Tablet is different, still uses a battery to store BIOS settings but nearly always have to take the machine apart to even get to it.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 26
    Win 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Well I got Windows to install. Not the one I wanted. I ran diskpart in dos and clean'd out the drive. Stuck it back in the laptop and with the HDD empty it booted from the DVD .

    10 ISO stopped installing shorting after rebooting. 7 ISO worked though so I'll live with that. Client preferred that anyway.

    There is a Dell BIOS update but I doubt it would remove the password.

    Dell's response to the master bios password not working for me is that it may be a problem with the motherboard. That could be possible as the motherboard needed the heat gun fix on the IGFX to get it to work again. Still think client put one on and forgot it but hey as long as it booted.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 23:42.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums