Want to change out a HDD to SSD and also do a clean install (with no risk to licenses) of W10.
What is best sequence.
Install SSD first, do clean install pointing at SSD or do Clean install on HDD then move to SSD ?
Just do a clean install to the SSD and don't worry about the license. It is on MS's servers and will auto activate.
Assuming that the old will be removed and a brand new SSD will replace it, it will boot into the windows10 installer directly. This how we did it on an HP desktop, backup was on a flash drive with last CU and Adobe monthly patch.
So install SSD ... wipe it so empty
Then use Windows Clean install option (is there a link or utility ?)
Installing it direct to SSD ....
If you just put SSD drive in and remove power to any other hd so files do get written to wrong disk I did it last week and it booted DVD without me touching the BIOS and installed no problem
Yes, unplug the power cables from any and all other hard drives, DO NOT leave them plugged in while installing windows.
Trust us
And make sure the data cable from the new SSD is going to Sata port #1 on the motherboard. That is if the SSD is going to be your main operating system drive.
The motherboard will be marked in small print or it`s in your motherboard manual if you don`t already know
Thanks guys - helpful steps. Where does the digital entitlement come from ... if it is happy with a clean install on a new SSD, its not coming form boot record or similar ... where does it pick this up from ? is it locked to mac address or similar.
Just want to be 100% certain I have a note of what it is .... can I look up serial number/user details so I can record them
Also do I have to create the USB flash drive on the PC I'm upgrading or can that be on any PC.
The Digital Entitlement is stored on Microsoft Servers and is tied to a hardware hash of your major PC components (not hard drive though).
As long as you don`t change your motherboard you`re fine, you can install windows on any ssd/hard drive you want.
The Digital License is also connected to your Microsoft Account.
You don`t need to enter any key when installing W10 on the SSD, just choose Skip this Step, it will self activate once you get online.
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