Reinstalling Windows 10 to new SSD, Previously on HDD

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QuantumDecrypt

QuantumDecrypt

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Jun 6, 2016
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I am buying a new Solid state drive for my computer running windows 10. But before I do I wanted to know do I need to know my product key. The computer was running windows 7 ultimate before I upgraded to 10, when I upgraded the first time I was glad to see I didn't need the key and everything was handled by the media creation tool/updater. But after looking around I cant find a definite answer as to if i need to know the product key when doing a clean install onto a new SSD.
 
Solution
SuperSoph_WD
Welcome to the TH community, QuantumDecrypt!

You should be able to clean install Windows 7 and then upgrade to Windows 10 onto your new SSD. You won't need a new product key due to the fact that the operating system is tied to the motherboard. As long as the computer is the same, it doesn't matter if the storage drive (the system files' carrier) is different. The most important thing to do is backup your data from the HDD somewhere off-site (to an external or some other storage device) and then unplug it from the motherboard while you are installing Windows onto the SSD. If you have both drives plugged in, you might encounter an OS confusion which would cause you some booting issues later on.

I'd also recommend you check...
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Mark_1970

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Nov 14, 2015
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You could just clone the hdd to the ssd with cloning software
 
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

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Jul 30, 2014
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Welcome to the TH community, QuantumDecrypt!

You should be able to clean install Windows 7 and then upgrade to Windows 10 onto your new SSD. You won't need a new product key due to the fact that the operating system is tied to the motherboard. As long as the computer is the same, it doesn't matter if the storage drive (the system files' carrier) is different. The most important thing to do is backup your data from the HDD somewhere off-site (to an external or some other storage device) and then unplug it from the motherboard while you are installing Windows onto the SSD. If you have both drives plugged in, you might encounter an OS confusion which would cause you some booting issues later on.

I'd also recommend you check out this Windows Install and Optimization Guide for your SSD & HDD.

Hope this was helpful. Keep me posted if you have more questions! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
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Solution
QuantumDecrypt

QuantumDecrypt

Commendable
Jun 6, 2016
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Sadly I have since lost my windows 7 disc, Would the windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft website work with this method you described?
 
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simonchipmunk

simonchipmunk

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Apr 8, 2014
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it should work. and i recommend you install Belarc Advisor(it is free) and let it find your Windows 7.0 key. Write it down and keep it in a safe place. does your pc have a label on its back that shows the Windows OS with the key on the back?
 
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QuantumDecrypt

QuantumDecrypt

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Jun 6, 2016
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The computer does not have a label on the back because I originally built it, I have heard of Belarc Advisor, but did not know it also showed the Product Key, I will download and run that now.

Update: Using Belarc Advisor I found and have written down the product key.
 
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SuperSoph_WD

SuperSoph_WD

Glorious
Jul 30, 2014
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In case upgrading straight to Windows 10, you also have the option to download the same Windows 7 version you had previously installed from the MS website and then upgrade to Windows 10. This might take some time, but as I mentioned, it's only if the Windows 10 version clean install doesn't work.

Best of luck!
SuperSoph_WD :)
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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If you already had W10 installed and activated on that MB, all you have to do to install it again and skip entering registration when asked.
MS keeps registration on their servers (Digital Entitlement) and it's tied to your MB and no other component.
 
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QuantumDecrypt

QuantumDecrypt

Commendable
Jun 6, 2016
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This is the final update, I have since received and installed the SSD, I ran the windows 10 installation media off a flash drive, Everything installed fine, during the process i just checked i dont have a product key, and as soon as windows booted for the first time to my desktop it activated using the digital entanglement on my motherboard.

Thanks for all the help!
 
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