I have windows 10 on ssd and need to put on new pc

[Kaycool123p]

So I have an ssd with every thing on it including windows 10 but I got a new pc and was wondering how to transfer it to this one

[phillpower2]

Two reasons that you cannot/should not do this;

1: All the drivers from the previous PC are on the drive and should you try to boot from it in a new computer the drivers from the previous computer will try to be installed and the new computer will crash, there is a long winded way around this for those that have the know how but #2 below explains why it just isn’t worth the effort.

2: The Windows product key is tied to the first motherboard and if you try and use the same product key with a new MB the Microsoft servers will detect it, lock you out of Windows updates and you will get an on screen message saying that you are using an unlicenced OS.

[Bruce]

while I agree with the above and the best option is to load windows afresh on the new PC, your other option is to just swap the drive and see what happens.

if it crashes, you’re up for a fresh install anyway.
if it doesn’t crash, Windows will detect the new hardware environment and install accordingly.
yes, this process may fail, but hey, it may work also. one of those suck it and see exercises.

if it does boot into Windows, the next hurdle is activation.
as stated previously, the Product Key is already assigned to the old PC, but the Windows Activation Servers are reasonably smart and can determine your eligibility themselves.
after booting, and once your connected to the web, Windows will try to auto activate, if it does, you passed all the MS authentications and are good to go.
if it doesn’t, and your Windows version is not OEM, you can ring the MS automated help number and a robot will guide you through the process of re-activating on the new PC - I’ve done that hundreds of times, mind you not for a couple of years now but I doubt the process has changed that much.

they ask questions like, “press 1 to activate Office, press 2 to activate windows”, “have you uninstalled Windows off the old PC?”, “is the new PC the only one it will be on?”, stuff like that. if you’re being honest, you have nothing to fear, they fully understand old PC’s die and licenses need to be transferred if allowed.

[phillpower2]

there is a long winded way around this for those that have the know how

Thanks Bruce but just so you are aware as to why I never went to the trouble that you have to explain the above, you could have replied to two or three ongoing threads while typing the above and the people being helped would appreciate it, due to the amount of abandoned OPs we see on a daily basis I feel that our time is better spent helping those that have actually responded to any reply to their OP, it only takes a second to post back and say thanks or no thanks but alas it seems like it is too much trouble for some folks to do

[Bruce]

FAB

[phillpower2]

Thread closed due to lack of any feedback from the OP.