Re-using Windows on a HDD for second computer

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
ToineF

ToineF

Reputable
Apr 28, 2014
635
0
5,060
I had a laptop (lenovo) and it died on me! However the HDD is still good. I was thinking to reuse that drive to put on another computer and use the windows partition to install fresh.

Would that work?
is that even legal?
 
Solution
USAFRet
Couple of issues:

1. That laptop Windows license is almost certainly OEM. And as such, it is licensed to the Lenovo motherboard.

2. You'd have to do a full reinstall. That drive and OS (probably) won't work natively in other hardware.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
Aug 3, 2006
28,223
1,514
133,290
Sorry, but that's not legal. Per the license agreement, it cannot be transferred to another computer. Aside from that, the OS from your laptop (as well as the recovery partition) is customized solely for your laptop and will only work with your laptop.

-Wolf sends
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,445
17,910
184,590
Couple of issues:

1. That laptop Windows license is almost certainly OEM. And as such, it is licensed to the Lenovo motherboard.

2. You'd have to do a full reinstall. That drive and OS (probably) won't work natively in other hardware.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
faalin

faalin

Illustrious
Feb 22, 2012
6,039
386
41,240
You can use the HDD from the laptop in the new computer. You will have to do a fresh install of the OS not a recovery of the old OS. The disc that came with the laptop will not be able to do the install for you, you will need an OEM disc for the fresh install. You will also need a new windows key as the windows key that came with the laptop is tied to and dies with that computer.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ToineF

ToineF

Reputable
Apr 28, 2014
635
0
5,060


But the HDD is the same hardware, shouldn't it be enough? I paid for the key with my lenovo. I have the same HDD with windows on it. Shouldn't be enough?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,445
17,910
184,590


The license goes with the motherboard, not the HDD.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
faalin

faalin

Illustrious
Feb 22, 2012
6,039
386
41,240
unless your new computer is the exact make and model Lenovo laptop as your old one the key will not work. even then its a 50/50 shot that it would work.


The only way to transfer a windows 7 or older key to a new computer is to buy a retail copy. OEM copies or copies from pre-installed OS are a one shot deal when you use the key.

Windows 8 and 8.1 are a different story as you can deactivate them and reinstall on a new computer.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ToineF

ToineF

Reputable
Apr 28, 2014
635
0
5,060


It is in fact windows 8.1. Are you saying I can boot off the drive and deactivate windows to re-use it?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,445
17,910
184,590


No need to 'deactivate'.
If you have a Win 8.1 disk you bought and installed, simply put the drive in the new PC and reinstall.

If it was a preinstalled Win 8.1, then your options are far more limited. That is indeed still licensed to that original motherboard.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom