I used my Laptop HDD in my Desktop.

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puuurrrpleee

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Oct 22, 2017
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I already have Windows 10 installed in the Hard Drive I got from my laptop, and I'm putting that same HDD to my newly assembled Desktop PC, what would happen? Is it gonna automatically recognize the OS in the HDD?
 
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asoroka

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Apr 19, 2009
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Hi,

From a hardware perspective there is no problem.

However your windows will detect that there has been a massive hardware change and will assume that it is on a different machine to what it was installed on.

Windows will need to be re-activated, so you will need to have your key handy.

You may be better off re-installing windows to ensure that you get all correct drivers.

cheers
 
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bjornl

bjornl

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Mar 16, 2016
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It will likely need more than just activation. It will almost certainly be different enough to have the HAL be incompatible and crash.
 
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puuurrrpleee

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Oct 22, 2017
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Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies and all. But from all I know, I won't need a key because I heard that as long as you have a key linked to the Microsoft account you use to log in to the OS, (I think it was called Digital License or something.) That your OS will still be genuine.

Also, I switched said Laptop HDD with another HDD from an old laptop of my brother's which came with Windows 7 Ultimate and it worked, though I had to reinstall/update the drivers because the drivers installed are the ones that are needed by the laptop it was pulled out from.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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For the licensing/activation:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Also, if the Win 10 on the laptop was preinstalled, then that specific OEM will probably not transfer to different hardware.
You can try it, but that is probably the only instance where it wouldn't work.


For the Operation, there is no guarantee one way or the other.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it fails horribly.
Sometimes it works, but you find lingering issues later.

A clean install is always recommended, often required.
 
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