Installing windows onto a different hard drive

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Charlie1999

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Aug 4, 2014
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So my computers hard drive is a few years old and just lacks the capacity and speed. Ive been thinking about purchasing a new HDD and a small SSD to go along with it. My plan to have my OS (Windows 10) on the SSD and then use my HDD for my main bulk of storage. However i would like my OS on my new drive to be a completely new install as my current one is corrupted, and continues to blue screen.

I am wondering if it is possible to use my Windows 7 install disk to install windows using the license key that came with that on my new hard drive; and then upgrade to Windows 10 if possible. Or would i have to pay for a new copy of Windows 10 to use the license key
 
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why_wolf

why_wolf

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Aug 28, 2015
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Yes if you have an install disc with the cd key that came with it you can reinstall it on a new hard drive. Note depending on what disc version you have you may or may not have to call in to Microsoft to activate it. This is largely painless as the system is heavily automated now. But if/when you are asked why you are doing this just tell them your old hard drive died and you are just replacing it. Don't tell them you're building a new computer or anything like that, if they get the wrong idea they'll deny your authorization thinking that you are trying to use the disc on more than one computer at a time.

Side note: I believe in Windows 10 you can now just directly input Windows 7&8 cd key into it to activate it. You don't have to upgrade from a 7/8 install first, just download the USB ISO from their site. Double check that to be sure though.
 
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blackpearl1477

blackpearl1477

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Oct 21, 2014
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i read otherwise. you can just install win10 directly on your ssd. because you upgraded from win7 to win10 before.the key is bounded to your hardware (read motherboard). obviously you need an iso of win10 to install as dvd or bootable usb. after installation win10 automatically checks for being genuine but you can check this manually.
i'm too are going to do the same upgrade process and did some research on it before i did my upgrade to win10.
but i have to be honest i didn't got the chance to test this to be sure. haven't got my ssd yet i'm waiting for a price drop for 250gb ssd's.
so good luck on this and plz let me know if it worked.
a little tip do. don't do a image of a regular drive and transfer it to ssd's. this will cause problems in the long run.
 
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Charlie1999

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Aug 4, 2014
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I did my upgrade last night and installed my windows 7 using the disk as i do not have a windows 10 due to previously upgrading. When installing windows 10 now it prompts for a product key, which i do not have as i never owned a copy of windows 10, it was a free install. Using my windows 7 key does not activate it so i think im stuck with windows 7 for now
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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Which W10 version did you try to install. It has to be same as W7 was, ie. Home, Pro, x86, x 64, language.
Entering W7 key works only with W10 v10586, not earlier versions, like 10240. You should also log in with MS account.
Even when everything is done right it may take couple of days to activate because it's done thru MS servers. (Digital Entitlement).
 
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