Is it legal/possible to use a laptop hard drive in a desktop for the OS?

jjjhfam

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Jul 18, 2015
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I'm building a computer soon, and I want to use Ubuntu (I already have an Ubuntu boot drive), and Windows 10 when it comes out for games and other things not supported on Ubuntu. Is it possible to take out a laptop hard drive with Windows 7, then upgrade to Windows 10 with that hard drive when it comes out? Is it legal?
 
Solution
First off your laptop Win7 is configured for laptop's hardware, now you are giving it a new home, new hardware, that copy of Win7 doesn't know what to do with your new hardware. It cannot be just "reconfigured." If you have a license#, and an original install disc, you may attempt to Un-Register from laptop, THEN install on the new machine from the original install disc and register again on the new box.
First off your laptop Win7 is configured for laptop's hardware, now you are giving it a new home, new hardware, that copy of Win7 doesn't know what to do with your new hardware. It cannot be just "reconfigured." If you have a license#, and an original install disc, you may attempt to Un-Register from laptop, THEN install on the new machine from the original install disc and register again on the new box.
 
Solution

SBMfromLA

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The drive itself will still function inside a different computer... but the O/S will not work. Your best bet would be... after installing the drive into a different computer.. install Windows 10 Preview and join the Insiders Program... then your copy of Windows 10 will remain active and you'll continue to receive updates. That's the only way to get Win10 for free.
 

USAFRet

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Problem #1 - Highly unlikely that drive will boot in the new system.
Problem #2 - Even in the slight event it does, it will be unactivated. The laptop OS is almost certainly an OEM version, and as such, is tied to that laptop motherboard.
Since it is unactivated, Upgrading to Win 10 with that is not going to happen.
 

SBMfromLA

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Of course not.. all he has to do is download the .iso of Windows 10 and install that.. then remain in the program...
 

SBMfromLA

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Wow... it sure it... but it does "removed for now"... so it sounds like they removed it to prepare for the final release that "Insiders" could download soon.
 

jjjhfam

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Jul 18, 2015
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So basically what all this means is I will not be able to get Windows 10 free for my new computer?
 

SBMfromLA

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Well, you probably shouldn't have waited... but MS already said it will be free for beta testers.. you will have to wait until they resume the program, which will probably be shortly after launch day.
 

jjjhfam

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Jul 18, 2015
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So how would I do this?
 

SBMfromLA

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I just said... WAIT for it to resume.
 

SBMfromLA

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or if you don't or can't spend the money... wait for Microsoft to resume the Insiders program and acquire the "free" version.
 

USAFRet

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There is no guarantee or probability that the Insider program will resume. That program and the Tech Preview was there to allow people to test and provide feedback on Windows 10 in its alpha and beta format.

They're about to release it...why would MS allow new participants into a beta program that is no longer a beta?
 

SBMfromLA

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Because they already announced that they would resume the program and that people could acquire the O/S that way if they didn't have Windows 7-8.1.
 

jjjhfam

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Jul 18, 2015
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^^What I mean by "How would I do this?"
 

USAFRet

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What you want - A working OS on your new desktop
I will amend my previous statement:
You have three potential ways ahead.

1. Buy an OS. Either Win 7, 8.1, or 10
or
2. Wait for the Windows 10 Insider program to resume. Sign up for it. Download whatever Windows 10 ISO is there. Install it.
To continue using it, you must remain a participant in the Insider program. As such, you agree to accept whatever updates and new versions MS wants to push to your PC.
In effect, be a permanent beta tester.
or
3. Linux.