Moving Windows 8.1 onto SSD from HDD

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ShibbyShabby

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Jun 23, 2015
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Now I have windows 8.1 on my HDD dont want to upgrade to 10 as it caused problems when gaming, I want to move the OS to my new SSD and leave games and other programmes on the HDD, what i am confused about and worried is when I move the OS (ill try get it onto a USB then boot from there) to the new SSD (clean install) will that mean I have an operating system on both my HDD and SSD, as I dont want anything on my HDD? also what I am getting at is will my clean install of 8.1 on my SSD work without it saying you need to activate windows, as im already running it on the old HDD - how does windows know that I am running it on the same device?
 
Solution
USAFRet


If you are just changing drives, you have no problem with either type of license.
If you are also changing motherboards, you may have an issue if it is an OEM license.

Disconnect all other drives
Boot from your install media, and install on the SSD.
Enter your license key when it asks
Continue.
It will activate when you connect to the intertubes.

For your old HDD? After you have the OS all set up on your SSD, and the BOOT priority verified....simply delete al partitions existing on the HDD. Use it as needed.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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2 options, Clean install on the SSD, or migrate from old drive to new drive.

1. Clean install - This requires that you have the install media and license key.
Also, you'll have to reinstall all your applications.

2. Migration - There are several tools for this, either free or paid.
This requires that the total used space on your current C drive be smaller than the size of the SSD.
 
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ShibbyShabby

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Jun 23, 2015
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Thank you for the reply, Both options I know off, the 2nd option is a no go I want a clean install , but what I am worried about is if windows will come up with an error stating that I have to 'activate windows' by the way I have genuine windows the reason i ask this is because when I tried to install the OS onto my OTHER DEVICE I was unable to and windows now and then kept popping up with a blue background message saying I have to activate windows on THAT DEVICE

so im worried that if i do try to install windows onto my new ssd will the same thing happen or will windows recognise that this is the same device that the original was installed onto? does windows attach the key to the motherboard?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Assuming you have the install media and license key:

Disconnect all other drives
Connect ONLY the SSD
Boot from your install media (DVD or USB), install
It WILL require the license key to activate.

As for your 'other device'....1 license, 1 PC.
An OEM license is indeed tied to that original motherboard. MS is often lenient in allowing that license key to be used with a different motherboard, but they are not required to do so.
But still.....1 license, 1 PC.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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This depends on exactly what you purchased...an OEM license or a Retail license.
 
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basroil

basroil

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Oct 19, 2013
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Retail licenses are not tied to a motherboard. OEM ones are. You have the option when purchasing so just make sure you have retail version.
 
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ShibbyShabby

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Jun 23, 2015
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basroil - the problem is that when I move my windows 8.1 to my SSD will I still be able to activate it - and basroil i dont want to move it to another device I want it to stay on my desktop by obviously in an SSD
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,306
17,827
184,590


If you are just changing drives, you have no problem with either type of license.
If you are also changing motherboards, you may have an issue if it is an OEM license.

Disconnect all other drives
Boot from your install media, and install on the SSD.
Enter your license key when it asks
Continue.
It will activate when you connect to the intertubes.

For your old HDD? After you have the OS all set up on your SSD, and the BOOT priority verified....simply delete al partitions existing on the HDD. Use it as needed.
 
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