Can you access files on a Windows hard drive with a deactivated license?

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aguy01

Commendable
Nov 23, 2016
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Hello! I just bought an SSD and I'd like to deactivate the Windows 7 key on my current HDD, then use that key for a fresh Windows 7 install on the SSD (no problems here), but then I'd like to be able to use my existing HDD as a secondary storage device, while still having access to the files currently on it.

Is that possible? I understand I can format the drive and use an external to preserve files, but the disc currently has 800+ GB of data and I'd like to avoid the pains of transferring all that data and the risk of missing files.
 
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USAFRet


OK...that's a whole other level of issues.
Depending on what Win 7 license you have, your license key may not be valid.

During the install on the new drive, it may return as invalid. In that case...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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This "deactivation" actually does little.
It only tells that particular PC is no longer has a license. It does NOT tell that to the activation servers at Microsoft.

If you are only switching drives in the same PC, there is nothing you need to do with the license.
Just install the OS on the new drive.
 
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aguy01

Commendable
Nov 23, 2016
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1,510


I forgot to mention I will be using the drive with a new mobo and cpu. Would this cause any problems with the drivers on the current HDD not being configured for the new hardware, even though it will only be used for file storage?
 
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aguy01

Commendable
Nov 23, 2016
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1,510


Is there any way to remove the OS and retain access to the existing files?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
171,456
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184,590


OK...that's a whole other level of issues.
Depending on what Win 7 license you have, your license key may not be valid.

During the install on the new drive, it may return as invalid. In that case, your only recourse is to call MS and either try the phone activation, or call and talk to a human to plead your case.

The 'drivers' that exist with the old OS are of no consequence, because you're not running that OS.

For your 'files', access may be (semi) blocked due to where they are. If they are docs tied to your old user and OS, you'll probably have to take ownership.
An easy way around this is to copy those files out from where they exist.

Create a new top level folder on that drive.
Create a couple of subfolders...MyDocs, MyMusic, etc.
Copy all the Doc, Music, etc into that new set of folders.
The original Doc/Music/Video folders (not files) are tied to that original user account.
 
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