Dual Boot Win10/Win10 while upgrading? Thoughts?

A few years ago I built a Ryzen 7 1700/Asus Rog mATX system for my CAD/3D modeling work. (Build here: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/KaisoB...d/#view=McfLD3)

I'm going to upgrade to a B550/Ryzen 5600X next week. After the Build, I'd like to have the machine dual-boot Win10/Win10. The first being my current system m.2 SSD with all my software, the other a clean Windows 10 install on my new PCIE Gen 4 m.2 SSD. The plan is to keep working with the old hard drive, as I add the software packages (AutoCAD, Rhino, etc., to the new drive--as time permits. I have lots of program customization's and it takes time to sort the workflow/environments right. Currently, I DON'T want to clone the drive as there are things I don't want to go over.

Any problems using the same Win account/license for two installs on the same machine?

The last time I dual-booted in Windows was 10 years ago. Any things I need to know to set this up? Links?

AddRAM said:

Do you have a Microsoft Account ?

Yes.

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Another thought. The current machine is accessed through a USB Fingerprint reader I installed. Is that bio access info stored somewhere on the harddrive meaning I'll have to put it in to access the computer after the rebuild, or is is stored somewhere on in the BIOS and changing the motherboard will remove it?

CalypsoArt said:

Yes.

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Another thought. The current machine is accessed through a USB Fingerprint reader I installed. Is that bio access info stored somewhere on the harddrive meaning I'll have to put it in to access the computer after the rebuild, or is is stored somewhere on in the BIOS and changing the motherboard will remove it?

That depends on whether you are using TPM or not. If you are using TPM, then Windows 10 stores log-in information in the TPM module on the motherboard. If you are not using TPM, then all login information is stored on the drive with Windows.

Ok, I built the machine, it's up and running. My old install is working as is the new clean install on the new SSD. I get the boot manager when I start up. However, when I enter the new install, I'm not able to customize as it is not Activated. (I did enter my MS account info during the install.) I realize MS might be reading this as two machines trying to use the same account license. Any way around this short of buying another license? It kinda defeats the purpose as the whole idea was set up and customize the system and then wipe the old drive.