Moving OS from HDD to SSD without buying a new copy of windows

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hallgar92

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Jan 6, 2018
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I want to move my OS from my HDD where it is currently stored, to a new SSD I have just installed. Is it possible to do this without having to buy a new copy of windows? I've lost the activation key and disk. I don't care about anything else saved on my HDD.
 
Solution
popatim
Step 1 is to make a backup of the harddrive exactly the way it is. Usually you need something off of it or wish you had later on.

Step 2 verify your backup is a backup.

Step 3 uninstall programs, delete data such as images pictures, documents that are on the harddrive that are no longer needed until the remaining used spacde of the HDD is small enough to fit onto the SSD.

( - step 3b I like to make another backup at this point.)

Step 4 Clone HDD to SSD. Most SSD manufactures supply cloning doftware on their support website. PNY being one exception. Ideally you want to have alot of space available. SSD's don't generally like being full, they need empty space to work right.

Step 5 Power off & Swap SSD in place of HDD. You can leave...
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popatim

popatim

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Dec 2, 2009
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Step 1 is to make a backup of the harddrive exactly the way it is. Usually you need something off of it or wish you had later on.

Step 2 verify your backup is a backup.

Step 3 uninstall programs, delete data such as images pictures, documents that are on the harddrive that are no longer needed until the remaining used spacde of the HDD is small enough to fit onto the SSD.

( - step 3b I like to make another backup at this point.)

Step 4 Clone HDD to SSD. Most SSD manufactures supply cloning doftware on their support website. PNY being one exception. Ideally you want to have alot of space available. SSD's don't generally like being full, they need empty space to work right.

Step 5 Power off & Swap SSD in place of HDD. You can leave HDD disconnected and in the computer to use as a storage drive once you are sure the clone worked great. Simply connect it to another sata port & power and then fquick format it.
 
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Solution
marksavio

marksavio

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Dec 23, 2017
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you dont need to buy another license since you are just swapping your hard drive. (you can also transfer your license thru your windows online account as well. usually when changing motherboards.) best you create the USB installer from this site here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10

remove all your SATA drives and leave your new SSD in.
boot. press F8 for the boot menu (or F2/DEL then go to boot menu). select the USB UEFI. proceed with the install. leave the keys blank. it will auto restart to your SSD to finish with account creation and login.

if you want to reuse your HDD as a secondary data drive. you can shutdown your pc. then attach your old hdd in. boot up. go to disk management. delete all the system/recovery partitions from your old OS. you can use a 3rd party software to merge the deleted partitions with the data one. (e.g. minitool/easeus partition master) go to windows explorer. right click on your HDD drive. go to permissions. have ONLY the following below listed and remove anything else thats not in the list. ok, apply to all subfolders.

  • SYSTEM
    Authenticated Users
    Administrators
    Users

if you go to your settings. activation. you will see its already activated.
thats it. ez pz.
 
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