Using a laptop hard drive for new desktop

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VexMeow

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Sep 13, 2013
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So i'm ordering the parts for my new pc finally, and i was wondering if using my old hard drive for windows would slow the computer down? I'm doing this because I wouldn't have to buy windows/pirate it. I'll have a 1tb hard drive with this new build as well both of the drives are 7200rpms. Thanks in advance.
 
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JobCreator


This is inherently untrue. You can install Windows using that product key on an unlimited number of different computers, so long as it's only...
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JobCreator

JobCreator

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It won't work unless you were to first sysprep the install of Windows. All the new components have their own drivers and you have all the drivers from the old machine installed on that drive. You can always reinstall Windows if you have a product key.
 
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caqde

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Given the way the Windows license works that may actually not be legal. The Windows license, unless you are using a Retail purchased key, only extends to the motherboard of the computer it was installed on. This means if you move the Hard Drive that it is installed on to another computer that installation of Windows will not be valid on the new system only the original one.

You can use the Old Hard drive mind you but you will likely need a new purchased copy of Windows. Thankfully today with Windows 8.1 the retail and oem prices are close so you should be able to get a copy of Windows 8.1 Retail for around the cost of an OEM copy unless you want a Windows 8.1 Pro License.
 
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VexMeow

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The product key is on the bottom of the laptop, but i heard it's system specific or can i actually just use that key for the new computer? Also if it helps it's windows 7
 
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caqde

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Those keys are system specific. That key will stay with that system until the day it goes in the garbage unfortunately. You can kind of think of it as you paid for the system with the ability to use a copy of X version of Windows on that system. Which is unfortunately different from buying a copy of Windows where you can install and use it on any one system of your choice where you can move it to other systems at your leisure. (Retail license)
 
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JobCreator

JobCreator

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This is inherently untrue. You can install Windows using that product key on an unlimited number of different computers, so long as it's only being used by one at a time.

This changed with Windows 8 and 8.1 on laptops, because they no longer give you a product key.
 
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caqde

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Not according to Microsoft -> http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=iXCvR9XUDzj

Transfer of license

Q. Can my customers transfer or sell their OEM software licenses?

A. After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user, the software media, manuals (if applicable), and Certificate of Authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.

Q. My customer bought a new PC and wants to move the OEM software from the old PC to the new one. Can't users do whatever they want with their software?

A. No, the OEM software is licensed with the computer system on which it was originally installed and is tied to that original machine. OEM licenses are single-use licenses that cannot be installed on more than one computer system, even if the original machine is no longer in use. The Microsoft Software License Terms, which the end user must accept before using the software, state that the license may not be shared, transferred to, or used concurrently on different computers. System builders must provide end-user support for the Windows license on computers they build, but cannot support licenses on computers they didn’t build. This is a fundamental reason why an OEM System Builder License can't be transferred.
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