Can I use my laptop hard drive as my boot drive in my new pc?

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WizardSloth

Honorable
Nov 28, 2013
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I built a pc last week but I don't have enough money for windows 7. So I was wondering if I could use my laptop hard drive which already has windows 7 on it in my new pc. I'm pretty sure it should work but I wasn't entirely sure.
 
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popatim
Not usually.
First its a violation of the user license as the OEM Win7 is not transferable to a new build.
Second, the laptop installation of win7 is using all the wrong drivers.

Thirdly, the restore process wont work as it will be looking for a specific system board and will halt the installation when it doesn't find it.

Lasty, it might work as is and give you roughly 30 days to get a valid win7.
but you can always download a win7 iso of the version you intend to buy and install that and get 30days time also. Then you can just change the activation key and be good to go without having to reinstall.

Download the appropriate Windows 7 .ISO file which includes Service Pack 1
(Note: must match what your product key version is for)...
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firo40

firo40

Splendid
Jul 16, 2011
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No it wont work at all. The drivers installed on the windows 7 installation are designed for the laptop its inside of. They use OEM installations which are only designed for specific hardware configurations. It wouldnt even boot
 
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popatim

popatim

Titan
Moderator
Dec 2, 2009
38,905
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Not usually.
First its a violation of the user license as the OEM Win7 is not transferable to a new build.
Second, the laptop installation of win7 is using all the wrong drivers.

Thirdly, the restore process wont work as it will be looking for a specific system board and will halt the installation when it doesn't find it.

Lasty, it might work as is and give you roughly 30 days to get a valid win7.
but you can always download a win7 iso of the version you intend to buy and install that and get 30days time also. Then you can just change the activation key and be good to go without having to reinstall.

Download the appropriate Windows 7 .ISO file which includes Service Pack 1
(Note: must match what your product key version is for)

Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso

Windows 7 Professional 64Bit:
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso

 
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Solution
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,756
18,129
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For multiple reasons, this will not work:

1. The laptop drive will not boot in the new hardware
2. Even if it does (2% chance), it will not work correctly
3. Now you've turned a working laptop into a useless frisbee. No drive and no OS.
4. Licensing. That license is tied to that motherboard on the laptop.
You might be able to convince MS to authorize that key on the new machine, but there is zero guarantee of that.

Suggestion:
Sell the laptop, OS included, and buy a proper Windows license for the new machine.
Everyone benefits. Someone gets a good used laptop, and you get a little bit of profit and a valid key for your new machine.
 
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