bnewlands32 :
Shektron :
bnewlands32 :
Shektron :
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2338846/transfer-windows-ssd-hdd.html
Sorry, but you can't. If the whole C: drive cannot fit on the SSD, you won't be able to clone it, you'll have to re-install.
If I reinstall will I need to buy windows again? If not how do I reinstall?
So to reinstall, you won't need another license. But just to be on the safe side, link your Microsoft account (if you don't have one, create one - it's useful) with your digital license. To do this, go to Settings>Update and Security>Activation. On this page, you should find the 'Add an account' button. Use that to link your account with the current license of your PC. Once you've done this, it should show your activation to be linked with the account.
This allows you to use this license even on a PC with a different motherboard.
The following step will not be required if you enter your product key during installation and it accepts the key as legit.
So now that you've done this, you can go ahead and re-install windows on the SSD, and skip the activation part of the install. Once into Windows, again go to the Activation page. If it says the product isn't activated, click on Troubleshoot, click on the 'I changed hardware on this device recently' on the bottom left, and log in with your microsoft account again. Then, select the PC you are using from the list, and check 'This is the device I'm using right now'. That should re-activate your Windows.
Do note that this is only a precaution - usually this is done if you are making major hardware changes to your PC, like a different motherboard. Technically your older license key should work just fine - granted you uninstall Windows from the original storage first. Don't forget to do that.
My account is already activated according to the activation tab. Where do I find the Key. I installed from a disk, but still have the packaging. i how I uninstall windows from my HDD? do I lose all my settings (assuming yes)? Is there a possibility of losing data? You mentioned I don't have to do the few steps if it finds the key legit. If it didn't how would I get activated windows if I don't have an OS?
How did you enter the key the first time? Usually the packaging would have your key - even if you don't find the key, you can just use the linkage to your account to activate Windows once it's finished installing.
To uninstall from your HDD, you'll have to format the C: drive when you are re-installing on the SSD. Before installation, Windows asks you where to install the OS, and in that same screen it also lists all the partitions present on the various storage media - on that screen, simply select the C: drive on your HDD, and click on format. That'll uninstall Windows from that drive.
Yes, anything you store on the C: drive will be lost forever. This includes settings, applications, game saves, and everything else on the C: partition. If by losing data you mean losing files on the partitions other than C: drive, then no. Unless you format the other partitions on that screen I mentioned earlier, the other partitions will remain untouched.
When you're installing windows, it asks for a product key. If you found your product key, enter it. Once it runs the verification process, there are two possibilities - either it accepts the key and activates your OS, or it says the key is already used, and does not activate Windows. Either way
you will still be able to install Windows on that machine . Once the Windows is installed, just go to Activation and check what it says about your activation status - if it says your Windows isn't activated, click on Troubleshoot, and then just follow the steps I mentioned in the previous reply. If it says that your OS is activated, you don't have to do anything.
I hope it's clear now. If you're still unclear, please ask again - maybe I need to word everything a bit more better. Sorry if I wasn't clear the last time
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