If I buy a new HDD Can I transfer my OS?

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seimi9

Prominent
Aug 12, 2017
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Hi all

I’ve a 1TB Wd harddrive however it is causing me some problems and I would like to get a new one

Question is, Can I swap my OS windows 10 installation from one harddrive to another?

Thanks
 
Solution
USAFRet
Assuming the current drive and the software on it is not borked up....

Steps for a successful clone operation.
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up...
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aquielisunari

Judicious
Mar 31, 2011
6,499
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Yes you can!
image.png


Uhm it's seimi9's question Sherman. Just hold on.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Step 1: Copy all of your personal files to a flash drive or other storage media.

Step 2: Use https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree to clone your HDD and transfer it to your SSD or HDD.

The reason you copy your files is because if a drive is failing the cloning process can be a bit much for it.
____________________________________________________________________________
Don't have a lot of critical info on that drive? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 You can download this media creation tool and use that to make a bootable USB you would use as your boot drive.

Step 1: Download tool
Step 2: Use tool to make a bootable USB drive(16GB minimum).
3: Install USB drive and your new HDD or SSD after you remove the bad drive. Turn on computer and press delete to enter your BIOS. Change your first bootable device to the USB drive and the second to your new storage device. F10 to save and exit.
4. Install Windows.

After the OS is installed, updates have taken place, you have changed the first boot device to the new drive and the PC is shut down you can put the old drive back in if you want.
 
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aquielisunari

Judicious
Mar 31, 2011
6,499
14
33,015
I’m just worried my OS product key, win10 won’t let me reuse or transfer
Click to expand...

Make sure your OS is tied to your MS account https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change. You won't need to worry then.


Windows has changed that. With 8.1 and back a new motherboard does mean a new OS, usually. With 10 and a OS connected to your M$ account and tranfer 10 becomes simple. If you don't clone the drive and instead download and install 10, just tell it 'I don't have one'(question asked during installation of 10) when it asks for a product key. 10 will automatically activate it after it's connected to the internet.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Moderator
Mar 16, 2013
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Assuming the current drive and the software on it is not borked up....

Steps for a successful clone operation.
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe as necessary.
Delete the original boot partitions, here:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/4f1b84ac-b193-40e3-943a-f45d52e23685/cant-delete-extra-healthy-recovery-partitions-and-healthy-efi-system-partition?forum=w8itproinstall
-----------------------------


You will not have to do anything with the license or activation.
 
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