Is dual boot drive on laptop with the same OEM OS license on both SSD and HDD possible?

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swarlesbarkley

Aug 19, 2018
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Hello. Good day.

Here's the story. I have a laptop but it only has an HDD and the OS is obviously installed there and it's a Windows 10 OEM version. I'm thinking of purchasing an m.2 SSD since it's supported on my laptop. I'm thinking of NOT cloning and just doing a clean install on the SSD instead but I don't have the funds for a new license. I understand I can use the OEM license of the laptop on the SSD since the license is linked to the motherboard of said laptop but I don't want to wipe the contents of my HDD (OS and files, etc.) just yet. Can I clean install the OEM license on the SSD while still having the same license on the HDD like a dual boot drive or something?

Hope my question isn't too confusing.
 
Solution
USAFRet
You can do it. But that's actually a pretty bad idea.

Ideally, you disconnect the HDD while you install on the new SSD. Otherwise, you'll end up with a sort of dualboot scenario. The boot info on the HDD will contain entries for both installs.
Remove the HDD, and no boot for you.
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Apr 16, 2015
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Yes, you can clean install to the SSD and it'll activate when you're online (just skip when prompted for a key)

As for having the "same license" on different drives, that's not going to be an issue at all. The license recognizes the hardware, not the specific drive it's on.

It's not overly practical to have 2 instances of the exact same OS installed etc - but it's not going to harm anything.
Both could work independently (and be activated), if you so desired.
 
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swarlesbarkley

Aug 19, 2018
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Thank you for the reply, sir. :) Was waiting for confirmation before I went and bought an SSD.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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You can do it. But that's actually a pretty bad idea.

Ideally, you disconnect the HDD while you install on the new SSD. Otherwise, you'll end up with a sort of dualboot scenario. The boot info on the HDD will contain entries for both installs.
Remove the HDD, and no boot for you.
 
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Solution
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swarlesbarkley

Aug 19, 2018
3
0
10


At first, I didn't get what you meant and went ahead with the clean install. Then it hit and I understood what you said. Had to find out the hard way instead of asking more questions. But I took your advice and disconnected the HDD. Now I'm done with reinstalling windows on the SSD.
 
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