Take out SSD in desktop, and use it on new laptop

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crabapple

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May 1, 2011
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I have a Desktop computer with an SSD & HDD on it. Windows 7 is installed on the SSD, and I'm using the HDD for media storage (movies, music, documents, etc.)

I recently purchased a new Laptop, and want to take out the SSD from the desktop, and use it on my new Laptop instead. I then want to simply install Windows 7 on the 500GB HDD on my desktop.

How do I format/prepare for this?

 
Solution
USAFRet


It's not quite 'automatic'...you still have to tell it "Yes, do that". Just like installing fresh on a blank drive.

If there is nothing on that drive you want to keep (personal files or whatever), then yes...that's...
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crabapple

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So I just take out the SSD on my desktop (without deleting anything), and then install it on laptop, turn on laptop, then I will get prompted to reformat/reinstall windows 7 on it?

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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It won't prompt automatically. It probably won't even run by itself.
Install the SDD, put in the Windows 7 DVD, turn it on, run the install.
 
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drtoast

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Surely they just need to reactivate it? Which is a case of keying in the license key again, or phoning microsoft for a new one.

With regards the HDD, I believe you will need to backup all data on an external one, as installing windows on it will cause all data it contains to be lost, then just copy it back on once installation is complete.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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The desktop and laptop have completely different architecture and drivers. I'd be surprised if it actually booted when put in the laptop
 
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crabapple

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Thanks for the tips.

Sorry, but I'm still a little unclear on something.

Right now the SSD in my desktop (it's 2.5, and will fit in the laptop), this drive has windows 7 files, drivers from my desktop, and a few applications installed on it already. It's my main desktop drive currently.

I don't need to do ANYTHING to this SSD before I install it in my new laptop? Like..reformat it..delete it..etc?

Do I simply install the SSD into my laptop (no prep required?), and then put in windows 7 disc in my laptop, and then windows 7 will automatically install over it?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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It's not quite 'automatic'...you still have to tell it "Yes, do that". Just like installing fresh on a blank drive.

If there is nothing on that drive you want to keep (personal files or whatever), then yes...that's pretty much it. The Windows install disk will give you the option of wiping the existing partition(s) and using the whole disk. That is what you want.
 
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