Taking a used HDD and swapping it into another system?

Tennis987

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Sep 9, 2015
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My current HD is failing and I have another PC at my parent place. Can i just take that drive and replace it with the one thats failing. Both drives are Windows 10 and both systems use AMD CPU's. Everything else (GPU,MOBO) is different. Would there be any conflicts because i heard that Windows is registered to the whole computer not just the HDD?
Also if i can successfully do this would i have to download drivers for the motherboard, GPU, and delete drivers from my old one among other things? Would i have to do this manually or is there some automatic software?
 
Solution
A fresh install of windows 10 would do for it to work well with your hardware as it was working on a different hardware before. After that install all the drivers for your motherboard. Reactivate the windows by using your MS account once the installation is done.

Check the below link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-...

Peace.

VJ_Gamer

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Aug 8, 2017
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No, not an issue. But you need to fresh install windows 10 for it to work well with your motherboard as it was working on a different hardware before. Before you do all the swapping link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 digital license on your device now. Later when you are installing HD to your system, Create a bootable USB using the windows 10 latest ISO image, install it and reactivate the windows by using your MS account.

Check the below link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-...

Edit:- Media creation tool link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Peace.
 
You can use the hard drive, but you CANNOT use the OS.

You heard correctly - Windows is tied to the system it's installed on, if you take it from one system and move it to another, it will not work properly. This isn't negated just because both systems "use AMD CPU's."
 

Tennis987

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Sep 9, 2015
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What does that mean I cant use the OS? Which OS would it be tied to (current HD, or other one?). Also will I still be able to use Windows and will the files be kept on the drive i am swapping into my build? I could care less about the files on my dying HD at this point as long as all the programs, files, and Windows will work on the working one i am swapping into the build.
 


The OS is tied to the original computer it was installed on. In your scenario, the hard drive from the working computer will be tied to the working computer and will only work properly in the working computer. Putting it in your dying computer will only yield more problems - you WILL NOT have access to the programs from the working computer.

Your best bet is to buy a new hard drive and reinstall Windows on your dying machine.
 

VJ_Gamer

Commendable
Aug 8, 2017
851
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1,660
A fresh install of windows 10 would do for it to work well with your hardware as it was working on a different hardware before. After that install all the drivers for your motherboard. Reactivate the windows by using your MS account once the installation is done.

Check the below link:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-...

Peace.
 
Solution