Wanting to swap old HDD into brand new system

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  1. Posts : 15
    W10
       #1

    Wanting to swap old HDD into brand new system


    I know it's not typically recommended, but it's something I just wanted to try out. I already have my data backed up if anything goes wrong. It's an old Windows 7 HDD that was fully upgraded to Windows 10, and the hardware differences on the newer PC aren't too extreme (mainly just the motherboard, the majority of other parts are the same brand as the old PC).

    Anywho, my problem is that my HDD is completely fine, but the system it used to belong to is now borked, to the point of being unbootable. I've read in many places that a way to strengthen chances of HDD swapping is to use the sysprep tool, but obviously I cannot do that if I can't boot the PC.

    So.. my question is.. is there anything similar to sysprep (that I need just the HDD for, of course) that I can use to wipe the drivers on my HDD before I put it in the PC? And, if not, should I just wing it and give it a shot?

    Thanks in advance, friends.
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  2. Posts : 4,511
    several
       #2

    So.. my question is.. is there anything similar to sysprep (that I need just the HDD for, of course) that I can use to wipe the drivers on my HDD before I put it in the PC?
    Yes, but they only come with paid version of various programs ( usually imaging programs)

    should I just wing it and give it a shot?
    It may be ok. You could try and see.

    If you want one of those programs , the O&O Diskimage Pro11 giveaway might stlill be running.

    Or there is special offer on O&O Diskimage Pro12 for (12 bucks ) if you use this link:
    OO Software - OnlineShop

    You can change to $usd after you select and checkout
    OO Software - OnlineShop

    Wanting to swap old HDD into brand new system-o-oadjusttonewhardware.jpg
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  3. Posts : 31,467
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    Windows 10 is remarkably good at sorting out new drivers when the hardware it finds itself running on has changed radically. It will most likely work, downloading any new drivers it needs as it sorts itself out.

    There are a couple of problems you may find. The first is actually getting it to boot. If the old PC was a legacy bios system using an MBR partition layout on the HDD then you'll have to set the UEFI bios on the new system to boot in legacy mode.

    The second is activation. Did the new system come with Windows 10? If so, is it the same edition (Home or Pro) as on the old HDD? If the new system doesn't have a digital licence stored on Microsoft's activation servers for the same edition as on the HDD then the Windows on the old HDD won't activate.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 4,511
    several
       #4

    Looks like Pro 11 giveaway is still running
    Download EN version Download Archive
    Register for free license key here Registrieren Sie sich hier für Ihre kostenlose Vollversion von OO DiskImage 11
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15
    W10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Bree said:
    Windows 10 is remarkably good at sorting out new drivers when the hardware it finds itself running on has changed radically. It will most likely work, downloading any new drivers it needs as it sorts itself out.

    There are a couple of problems you may find. The first is actually getting it to boot. If the old PC was a legacy bios system using an MBR partition layout on the HDD then you'll have to set the UEFI bios on the new system to boot in legacy mode.

    The second is activation. Did the new system come with Windows 10? If so, is it the same edition (Home or Pro) as on the old HDD? If the new system doesn't have a digital licence stored on Microsoft's activation servers for the same edition as on the HDD then the Windows on the old HDD won't activate.
    Thankfully, the old PC supported GPT so I should be clear there. As for the windows version, I'm actually not sure, only that it is indeed W10. If it wasn't the same as my old HDD (Home) though, it's too late for me to alter it, so what would I do? Would I just purchase another Home license?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,511
    several
       #6

    Like I posted
    It may be ok. You could try and see.
    Would I just purchase another Home license?
    If the new system is licensed for a different edition, in theory you could change the edition to fit the license if needed.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 15
    W10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Yeah I know, just trying to come up with a gameplan for if it doesn't work. If it ends up just absolutely not working at all, I always have the old way of doing things.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,511
    several
       #8

    Not hard to change edition, if necessary.
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  9. Posts : 31,467
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #9

    A digital licence is tied to the hardware ID of the PC. If you can get the old HDD to boot on the new machine, sooner or later it will check with the activation severs. If it doesn't find the right digital licence it will deactivate. If you're lucky, the new PC may already have a digital license for Home.

    It is against the EULA to use Windows if it isn't activated, but it doesn't stop working. A few personalization features get turned off, you can't set a wallpaper or the user icon, for example. Yes, you can activate it by buying a new license for Home. It would also be possible to upgrade it to Pro by buying a Pro license. Changing the key of an installed Home will upgrade it to Pro.

    If by chance the new PC has a digital license for Pro, you can upgrade the Home to Pro by entering the generic Pro key.

    Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions | Windows 10 Tutorials
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 15
    W10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Bree said:
    A digital licence is tied to the hardware ID of the PC. If you can get the old HDD to boot on the new machine, sooner or later it will check with the activation severs. If it doesn't find the right digital licence it will deactivate.

    It is against the EULA to use Windows if it isn't activated, but it doesn't stop working. A few personalization features get turned off, you can't set a wallpaper or the user icon, for example. Yes, you can activate it by buying a new license for Home. It would also be possible to upgrade it to Pro by buying a Pro license. Changing the key of an installed Home will upgrade it to Pro.
    Well, I just called the manufacturer I got the new PC from and they said it's coming with Pro. Dunno if it'll come with the license in some way that I can use, but we'll see.
      My Computer


 

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