I'm building a computer and I wanna use the hard drive I have right now, will I also need to get a new OS?

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Nintendaz

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Sep 7, 2015
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I have a terabyte hard drive that I'm currently using and want to put it into a new computer because I'm making a new build so I have a few questions.

1. Would I have to get a new OS?
2. I'm running windows 10 will this make any difference?
3. Will my hard drive always be compatible or will I have to check before hand? Also what would I have to make sure it was compatible with?

Thanks in advanced to whoever replies.
 
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popatim
Make yourself a backup then afterwards give it a try. You might get lucky and it will work or you might have to reinstall windows. Best odds of it working if your new build uses the same CPU brand as the old one. ie going from old intel to new intel might work wheres old intel to new AMD probably wont.
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digitaldoc

digitaldoc

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The old hard drive is compatible, but if it is over 5 yrs old, I would no reuse it as the main system drive as it could fail.

You will need to reinstall Windows in this situation.

As the new computer has a new motherboard, than you need a new copy of Windows for the install.
 
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BadAsAl

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Oct 13, 2009
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If you bought a retail version of Windows to install on the original hard drive then you can legally use it in the new computer.
If the hard drive came with Windows (i.e. in a new computer) or you installed an OEM version then no, you cannot legally use it in a new computer and will need to buy a new license.
 
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seeingeyegod

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You actually can sometimes get by not reinstalling windows, and windows will just detect the new motherboard and hardware and probably make you re activate (though as a previous poster said not if it came bundled with a retail bought machine). Still, its not a good idea and I would highly recommend reinstalling windows after backing up whatever data you wanted to keep and formatting the drive.
 
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popatim

popatim

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Make yourself a backup then afterwards give it a try. You might get lucky and it will work or you might have to reinstall windows. Best odds of it working if your new build uses the same CPU brand as the old one. ie going from old intel to new intel might work wheres old intel to new AMD probably wont.
 
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