Upgrading to Windows 10 on a new Hard Drive


  1. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #1

    Upgrading to Windows 10 on a new Hard Drive


    A friend of mine currently has Windows 7 installed and wants to get a new hard drive and then upgrade to Windows 10. Whats the current way to do this?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 134
    windows 10
       #2

    If your friend hasnt installed win 10 even once, He may have to pay for it..
    Before changing the HDD, create a bootable disk or USB using following tool.,.
    Windows 10

    Now change HDD, Change Boot order in BIOS and install... windows 10.
    To get the most optimum performance I would recommend using UEFI with secure boot off.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    What if they upgraded to 10 before changing the drive. I assume they'd need a new lisence.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #4

    swarfega said:
    What if they upgraded to 10 before changing the drive. I assume they'd need a new lisence.
    The free upgrade is nominally over. However, see:

    http://betanews.com/2016/07/29/get-w...-the-deadline/

    There are some ethical issues, but if it was me, I think that my conscience could bear them.

    Suggested path: upgrade existing Windows 7. Then, either clone the existing installation to the new HD, or do a clean install on the new HD. (In the latter case, it should activate due to the famous "digital entitlement".)
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #5

    I would just get a copy of the latest version and clean install to the new HDD, using the W7 key to try to activate. Scuttlebutt is, the activation servers have not been turned off yet. Can't hurt to try.
    Windows 10 ISO
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    The license is not tied to the hard drive. So, if Windows 10 was installed an activated already, then swap the drive and a clean install of Windows 10 will activate automatically. If he never had Windows 10 activated on that system, I'd go through the same process, but then you'll have to type in his Windows 7 key to activate. It is currently still working, but no one knows for how long, so I wouldn't wait much more.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Thanks Deacon!
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #8

    swarfega said:
    A friend of mine currently has Windows 7 installed and wants to get a new hard drive and then upgrade to Windows 10. Whats the current way to do this?
    See my post above at https://www.tenforums.com/installatio...dows-10-a.html about copying the current installation to the new drive. Then you can try the free upgrade to Windows 10 if you are entitled under the new rules.
      My Computers


 

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