Migrating Windows 10 Home from HDD to SSD


  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 10
       #1

    Migrating Windows 10 Home from HDD to SSD


    Hey guys, i've got an ssd waiting to be used. I was wondering how can i install windows 10 home on the ssd, switch my actual hdd with the ssd, and also keep my licence of the windows on the ssd too.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #2

    I recently moved a Windows 8.1 system from a HDD to SSD. See my guide http://www.eightforums.com/installat...s-hdd-ssd.html

    The same procedure should work for Windows 10. Ensure you backup your system first - but this is one of the steps in the transfer process.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 501
    windows 10 (x64) Home 20H2 19042.844
       #3

    you may like to see the following link where I explained my change over from HDD to SSD
    Change from HDD to SSD in ASUS S400CA latop
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #4

    CuriousOne said:
    ... and also keep my licence of the windows on the ssd too.
    With the Win10 upgrade, the license is associated with the hardware mix, not a product key. Once Win10 is activated on the PC, you can switch out the HDD for an SSD with no problems -- I know because I did this myself.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you very much guys. chrunus i will use your tutorial. easy and simple. my biggest fear was that i will lose my licence of the windows once i migrate from hdd to ssd.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Win 10
       #6

    Great!


    Mark Phelps said:
    With the Win10 upgrade, the license is associated with the hardware mix, not a product key. Once Win10 is activated on the PC, you can switch out the HDD for an SSD with no problems -- I know because I did this myself.
    Sounds wonderful! Could you elaborate please??
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #7

    Lennart said:
    Sounds wonderful! Could you elaborate please??
    When you upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10, a digital license for Windows 10 is created. The digital license is stored on Microsoft Activation Servers paired with a unique Hardware ID of the computer it came from. The Hardware ID is calculated by Windows 10 each time it boots up and is derived almost 100% of unique information identifying the specific motherboard, such as Make/Model and most important, serial number.

    After the Hardware ID is calculated by Windows 10, it is compared to the Hardware ID associated with the digital license stored on that local Windows 10 installation. If the Hardware ID is the same - Windows 10 stays activated. If the Hardware ID is different - the Windows 10 was moved to a new computer, or the motherboard was replaced - then Windows will deactivate itself. The deactivated Windows 10 (or a never before activated install of Windows 10, such as a clean install) will contact Microsoft Activation servers and send the Hardware ID. The Microsoft Activation server then searches for a stored digital license for Windows 10 that matches the Hardware ID. If it is found - and if the license is for the same version of Windows 10 that is asking for it, then the activation code is returned and Windows 10 activates itself. If no match is found, then an error is generated that no digital license for Windows 10 can be found.

    So - move Windows 10 from an HDD to an SSD in the same computer, on the same motherboard, and the calculated Hardware ID does not change because it is almost 100% associated with the motherboard. Windows 10 will not deactivate itself.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3
    Win 10
       #8

    Sounds good


    NavyLCDR said:
    When you upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10, a digital license for Windows 10 is created. The digital license is stored on Microsoft Activation Servers paired with a unique Hardware ID of the computer it came from. The Hardware ID is calculated by Windows 10 each time it boots up and is derived almost 100% of unique information identifying the specific motherboard, such as Make/Model and most important, serial number.

    After the Hardware ID is calculated by Windows 10, it is compared to the Hardware ID associated with the digital license stored on that local Windows 10 installation. If the Hardware ID is the same - Windows 10 stays activated. If the Hardware ID is different - the Windows 10 was moved to a new computer, or the motherboard was replaced - then Windows will deactivate itself. The deactivated Windows 10 (or a never before activated install of Windows 10, such as a clean install) will contact Microsoft Activation servers and send the Hardware ID. The Microsoft Activation server then searches for a stored digital license for Windows 10 that matches the Hardware ID. If it is found - and if the license is for the same version of Windows 10 that is asking for it, then the activation code is returned and Windows 10 activates itself. If no match is found, then an error is generated that no digital license for Windows 10 can be found.

    So - move Windows 10 from an HDD to an SSD in the same computer, on the same motherboard, and the calculated Hardware ID does not change because it is almost 100% associated with the motherboard. Windows 10 will not deactivate itself.
    Thank you so much for taking the time and explaining! I am going to upgrade my computer, first replacing the harddrive with an ssd, I guess this will not give me any problems even if I do a clean install with windows 10 from usb. However, after that I plan to change the mobo, will it then still recognize the hardware ID? I was planning on keeping the same harddrive, if possible.

    Many thanks again for your time!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #9

    Lennart said:
    Thank you so much for taking the time and explaining! I am going to upgrade my computer, first replacing the harddrive with an ssd, I guess this will not give me any problems even if I do a clean install with windows 10 from usb. However, after that I plan to change the mobo, will it then still recognize the hardware ID? I was planning on keeping the same harddrive, if possible.

    Many thanks again for your time!
    Replace the motherboard and Windows 10 will deactivate itself. Before replacing the motherboard, make sure your digital license for Windows 10 is associated with a Microsoft Account:
    Microsoft Account - Link to Digital License on Windows 10 PC - Windows 10 Forums

    Replace the motherboard, login to the same Microsoft Account, run the Activation Troubleshooter and you should be able to transfer your digital license to the new motherboard:
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3
    Win 10
       #10

    NavyLCDR said:
    Replace the motherboard and Windows 10 will deactivate itself. Before replacing the motherboard, make sure your digital license for Windows 10 is associated with a Microsoft Account:
    Microsoft Account - Link to Digital License on Windows 10 PC - Windows 10 Forums

    Replace the motherboard, login to the same Microsoft Account, run the Activation Troubleshooter and you should be able to transfer your digital license to the new motherboard:
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter
    This was extremely helpful, thank you so much!!
      My Computer


 

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