Transfer OS

[Din]

Can I move a OS from one hard drive onto another harddrive?

If so, how?

 

[keynes]

Cloning the hard drive, you could use acronis

 

[Din]

Cloning the hard drive, you could use acronis

Can I use it so it only copies OS files and leaves all my other rubbish behind?


Also does this mean id need both harddrives installed, then get rid of the first one?

 

[Spuff]

Can I use it so it only copies OS files and leaves all my other rubbish behind?
?

If you only want the OS files, why not just do a fresh installation of Windows?

 

[Din]

If you only want the OS files, why not just do a fresh installation of Windows?

Because i want it onto a different harddrive..? And i thought if i installed windows into this hardware my licence key wouldnt work since its already on the other one?

 

[grimsbymatt]

Because i want it onto a different harddrive..? And i thought if i installed windows into this hardware my licence key wouldnt work since its already on the other one?

An OEM licence key is tied to the motherboard, I think.

 

[Rakk]

Because i want it onto a different harddrive..? And i thought if i installed windows into this hardware my licence key wouldnt work since its already on the other one?

If its just installing it onto a different hard drive in the same machine, it will happily let you reinstall and reuse the key (as long as the motherboard stays the same - the key basically gets tied to the motherboard afaik), now if you want to have it installed on two drives in two different machines that's entirely different.

 

[Din]

If its just installing it onto a different hard drive in the same machine, it will happily let you reinstall and reuse the key (as long as the motherboard stays the same - the key basically gets tied to the motherboard afaik), now if you want to have it installed on two drives in two different machines that's entirely different.

So swapping out the harddrives, installing windows and the key should work? Not looking to mive it machines jst want to change the harddrive

 

[ubuysa]

So swapping out the harddrives, installing windows and the key should work? Not looking to mive it machines jst want to change the harddrive

Yes, that will (should) work. And if you buy a cheap USB caddy for your old drive you'll be able to simply copy your user data onto the new drive (after you've installed Windows of course).