Moving preinstalled windows 8 Os to new ssd

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tenorm

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Jun 2, 2012
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Hi guys,

I have a new Asus laptop that came preinstalled with windows 8. I have upgraded the OS to windows 8.1 through the Microsoft store app. I recently picked up a ssd drive that I wish to use to replace the original Hard drive.

My aim was to freshly install windows 8.1 onto my new ssd but after doing some research last night it seems that this can't be done. Windows came preinstalled on my machine so I have no cd that I can boot from to install a fresh copy onto the new drive. Am I correct in saying there is no way this can be done?

It seems that my only other option is to get a ssd enclosure and clone my current hard drive onto the ssd and then reset windows in windows 8.1 that cleans the drive. The only problem with this method is that it seems I am forced to still have all the bloatware on my copy of windows
 
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I haven't done it yet but I intend on installing an ssd to my ASUS V75. From what I understand, for windows 8 + 8.1 I'll need to make a backup USB with ASUS Backtracker

*UPDATE: Used backtracker and it worked like a charm. I did get all the ASUS bloatware but it's so simple that I'm happy this way. Now have the ASUS v75 with a 240gb SSD and 1tb 5400 HDD.
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Eximo

Eximo

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May 27, 2010
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Well your license key will only be valid with your ASUS OEM copy. You can try downloading the ISO for Windows 8.1 installing it and attempting to activate with the key from the original OS. Might take a call to MS to get it activated though.

Otherwise cloning is your best option. Bloatware can be systematically removed if you are patient enough.
 
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Entomber

Entomber

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Apr 21, 2014
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Copy down your Windows product key if it's not on a sticker on your laptop, and you should be able to burn an install disc from Microsoft's website, then activate your copy of Windows using your existing product key.
 
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tenorm

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Jun 2, 2012
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Thanks guys,

I did try this method of downloading the iso from Microsoft and using Belarc Advisor to find my key because the laptop does not have the sticker. This did not work for me when I entered the key. It would not recognize the key. I did not try to call Microsoft though. Maybe this would help
 
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tenorm

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Speaking directly to Microsoft support chat they told me that the ISO download they offer is only for retail copies (that dosn't include preinstalled versions) and upgrades. He did try to sell me a new retail copy though. Honestly it was not helpful at all but I understand the guy was just doing his job. He told me I have contact Asus Instead about a recovery disk so I guess I will try this next.
 
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tenorm

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Jun 2, 2012
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For those following this thread and are in the same boat I contacted Asus and they emailed me back a link to a Asus program that you can download and put on a 16g usb stick which acts as a recovery disk and boots from that with your new hard drive. So I got stuck with all the original bloatware and had to reinstall all the window updates( which caused a bunch of difficulties) and 8.1 but I avoided buying a hard drive enclosure. Now everything is working great and the SSD is really fast.
 
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Emrico1

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Sep 20, 2014
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I haven't done it yet but I intend on installing an ssd to my ASUS V75. From what I understand, for windows 8 + 8.1 I'll need to make a backup USB with ASUS Backtracker

*UPDATE: Used backtracker and it worked like a charm. I did get all the ASUS bloatware but it's so simple that I'm happy this way. Now have the ASUS v75 with a 240gb SSD and 1tb 5400 HDD.
 
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