I am about to install a solid state drive on my laptop.
I would like to move/install Windows 10 on this SSD and boot up from this drive, but am unsure of the process.
Can I legally download the latest version of Windows 10 onto the SSD and use the activation code I used before or will this not be allowed; or is there a way in which I could copy my existing OS onto the SSD .
Perhaps there is another option of which I am unaware.
Thank you
Welcome to TenForums @DonHae
I assume your laptop's old drive currently has Windows 10 on it and it is activated. If so the PC has a digital licence on Microsoft's activation servers. You can do a clean install of the same edition (Home or Pro) and, if asked for a key, click 'I don't have one'. Windows will activate from the existing digital licence.
If you wish to transfer your system from the old HDD to the new SSD there are many ways to do that. Perhaps the easiest is to make a system image on an external HDD with Macrium Reflect Free then remove the laptop's HDD, install the SSD, then restore the system image to the new SSD. To do the restore you will need to make a Macrium rescue usb and boot from that.
Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect
Thank you for coming back so quickly.
Yes I have the Windows 10 on my hard drive and it is up to date with 1903.
I have read through your instructions but actually I intended to keep the existing hard drive.
While awaiting a response from the Forum I actually downloaded Windows 10 onto a USB. What was unsure of is if I go ahead and install it on the SSD will MS accept the Activation Code I originally used; but in reading your instructions perhaps this is not required.
Is your laptop one that has space for two drives to be installed? If so, it is probably best to temporarily remove the old drive before doing a clean install on the new one. The reason being that the installer may well put parts of the system on both of the drives, making it near-impossible to separate them afterwards. You can reinstall the old drive once Windows is installed and working.
No, you don't need a key, the existing digital licence will activate a clean install provided you install the same edition (Home or Pro).
I would make a full system backup using Macrium Reflect Free to an external drive and create a Reflect boot USB stick. Remove the old drive and install the SSD. Then boot to the Reflect USB drive and recover the image to the SSD. Boot to the SSD and check it works.You can buy a cheap caddy for the old drive and use it as an USB external drive. You might also have space for a second drive in the laptop.
As it's a PC Specialist laptop it may even take up to 3 drives. I have one with SSD + hard drive.
If using a SSD, make sure you get the appropriate form factor
SSD Form Factors TekSpek Guide | SCAN UK
to allow you to use both that and your HDD. Check with the PC Specialist configuration tool, or give them a call. Very clued up.
If you use that configuration, best not leave your Windows OS on the hard drive when used as a non-system drive, and most robust approach to transferring the OS or installing- have only the SSD in place.
Remove the HDD.
Last edited by dalchina; 25 Sep 2019 at 04:50.
Thank you all for your recommendations.
I now realise I have been a little naive as I now realise that if I install Windows from the USB that’s all I will have running. I will have to reinstall all my programs again!
I am now thinking I should abandon my approach and instead follows Bree's suggestion to produce a system image on an external HDD with Macrium Reflect Free then boot up from the SSD. I'm assuming this will also bring across a fully working Windows 10?
Incidentally, the laptop has room for this additional drive. I purchased the drive from PCSpecialists so I have confidence they have supplied the correct SSD for my machine.
I'll read through the instructions to ensure I fully understand the process and come back if I don't.
Thank you
Yes that`s what happens when you do a clean install. Make an image of what you have and re image to the new ssd.
If you could post a shot of Disk Management we could see what`s going on before you proceed.
It`s very important to read and understand what Bree means in reply #4, if you are unsure just ask.
Always, Always, Always, remove/unplug any other drives before installing Windows.
And Welcome to TenForums
- you missed some steps which Bree mentioned:then boot up from the SSD.
- create a bootable MR medium (whilst you have a funcitonal PC configuration)
- put in your SSD
- plug in the disk with your image file on it
- boot from your MR bootable medium (you may need to confgure your 'BIOS' boot options
- restore your Windows image from the image on the external disk
- remove the MR bootable medium
- try booting your PC
You will probably find videos on youtube, and Macrium produces a huge help file with the product and on line.
N.B. When you create the image, use MR's option to image Windows, not just the Windows partition.
Yes, if it`s setup as UEFI you have to Image All the partitions, and not just C. But of course not any data partitions.
Posting a shot of Disk Management will be very helpful to see that.
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of
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