From Laptop to PC. Toshiba 750GB HDD to Samsung 250GB SSD. How?

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DangerouslySketchy

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Aug 1, 2015
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Alright so I just got my first PC (custom built Lenovo k450e) and I purchased a Samsung EVO 850 250GB SSD to put my current OS on it. My laptop which ive been using for years has Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center on it and all of my "files".. I bought a seagate backup plus 3tb hdd to backup all of my things (which ive already done with seagate dashboard))..
Thats all nic, but I want to get a clean install of my laptop's windows 8.1 pro onto the SSD for the PC.. I know I can clone drives (I have AOMEI's software) and use Gparted (however you use that? ) to shrink stuff and make it fit.. But i dont want to go through all of that stuff (lazy/seems too complicated/risky/time consuming)..

Is there anything I can do to just have my windows 8.1 on my PC and then bring back all of my "files" from my Laptops 750GB hdd to a 2tb hdd im putting into my pc with the ssd?


(BTW I know people have made similar posts, but i just couldnt piece together a CLEAR solution for myself)
 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Jul 31, 2014
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Hey there, DangerouslySketchy.

If your laptop's Windows is OEM (it was pre-installed when you bought it), unfortunately you won't be able to use the key for it with your PC. If you want a clean install, you'd have to get a retail copy of Windows. Cloning your existing OS won't work either, because of the different hardware configuration. This is a really long shot and it almost never works when the motherboard is different.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD
 
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DangerouslySketchy

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It was OEM (pre-installed) Windows 8 but I changed the product key when i upgraded it to Windows 8 pro and then pro with media center (digital copies no disc) soooo?

 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Well, it might be able to work then. Just go to Microsoft's website and download the exact same version of Windows 8.1 you have a key for and make a bootable flash drive with it - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media. Install Windows and use the key you already have. Note that you should have all other drives disconnected (besides the SSD of course) during the Windows installation process. After you've installed it, if everything worked out fine with the serial key, connect the HDD, repartition and reformat it the way you see fit and transfer your personal files back to it. Note that if you plan on transferring already installed programs and games, they might not work with the new installation of Windows.
If you run into trouble with the installation and validating the serial key, I'd suggest that you get in touch with Microsoft's customer support and ask for further assistance.
 
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DangerouslySketchy

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Everything went through fine with the Operating System. The only thing is that I want to transfer stuff like google chrome with all of my tabs and addons and steam with all of my installed games and etc from my laptop to my pc.

When it comes to reinstalling the programs which im going to have to do on my HDD since my SSD is only for the OS . How would i go about doing this? Just installing it and choosing the HDD as the directory?

 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Yup, it is as simple as that. When you start installing a program, just select the installation path e.g. C:\Program Files for the SSD or D:\Games for the HDD (if this is the drive letter the HDD has or one of its partitions). Note that even if you install Steam on your SSD, this is just the program, you can still manage the default installation path of each game you decide to install via Steam, by changing it from the "Settings". At least I think there was an option for that. Of course it would be much easier to install it on your HDD from the start. :)
 
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