Can Windows 10 installed on a SSD be put in different computers?

bartoni33

Prolly a silly question but I've heard that you can take a SSD with win10 OS installed on it and put it into another rig and it will automatically install any drivers needed to work. I ask because my rig went tits up and I am getting a new one but do not want to reinstall an OS if I don't have to. I was just wanting to put the SSD into my new rig. Is this possible or is someone pulling my leg?

zaberfangx

I have never try it on windows 10 I have with windows 7 does work but not with out it's problem. I would say reinstall.

Loke666

Wiinows get filled up with crap as you use your computer and while re-installing is a bother it should still be done at least every 2 years even on the same computer.

Changing drives works in theory at least, never tried it W10 though but it is a bad idea anyways. Move any files you need (like documents, saved game files and so on), wipe the drive clean and re-install.

Windows is made so that your computer will be slow as a snail after 3 years, filled with old crap so you upgrade to a new computer with a new windows on it. So unless your old SSD is only a few months old it will actually make your computer feel slower then it is.

bartoni33

Yeah you guys are right. I'm just being lazy I guess!   I'll have to go from 8 to 10 so that's why I wasn't wanting to screw with it.

Vrika

It's possible, but it's a bad idea. It'll likely take more time than doing a clean re-install of everything, and even if you manage to do it without problems your new computer is left with all kinds of drivers, settings, registry entries and other clutter from the previous computer.

Just do a clean re-install it's easier and faster.

Precusor

Did that after installing a new Mobo and CPU and no probs so far.

Kiyoris

It won't work with Windows OEM versions. OEM activation status is stored on Microsoft their sever, a new motherboard is considered a device change, it will not allow it.

It might run, but you won't be able to activate your key again, which means it will block internet access and administration privileges after 30 days (ie. you can't install things like games anymore).

It's a bad idea to transfer windows to another PC regardless, there is far more hardware-specific software being configured during installation than just drivers.

Vaah

It'll work, but only if the other computer is already in Microsoft's system for windows 10 activation first.  Otherwise you'll encounter issues with the ssd not activated on other machine.

Gdemami

Yes, Windows will just install new drivers and you are ready to go in 1 or maybe 2 restarts. 


Although, you need non-OEM Windows version to make it work since OEM Windows create a unique HW based key in registers and won't run on other HW.

Ridelynn

That phone call is excrutiating. You can try to "say" your product key to the automated service, but it will inevitably screw it up, so your stuck trying to enter that 25-digit access key on a phone pad. Then they read you back a confirmation code to type into Windows, and it's like 48 digits long or something.

But it does work, provided you aren't intentionally trying to do something shady (and even then it might)

Quesa

You can refresh Windows 10 which will nearly do a full reinstall but a lot quicker.

kithe

bartoni33 said:

Prolly a silly question but I've heard that you can take a SSD with win10 OS installed on it and put it into another rig and it will automatically install any drivers needed to work. I ask because my rig went tits up and I am getting a new one but do not want to reinstall an OS if I don't have to. I was just wanting to put the SSD into my new rig. Is this possible or is someone pulling my leg?

It works perfectly fine. Might take a few reboot after moved to get all drivers corrected but I done it many times when testing machines. 

Octagon7711

Torval said:

Ridelynn said:

That phone call is excrutiating. You can try to "say" your product key to the automated service, but it will inevitably screw it up, so your stuck trying to enter that 25-digit access key on a phone pad. Then they read you back a confirmation code to type into Windows, and it's like 48 digits long or something.

But it does work, provided you aren't intentionally trying to do something shady (and even then it might)

I've had really great experiences with Microsoft support. You are right the automated entry is a pain, but they always help me get to activation.

My last experience was upgrading from 7 to 10 on a laptop. I did a clean install via USB and the key wouldn't activate even though I put in the OEM key as I saw it on the sticker. I got transferred to a live person who I think was in India who also spoke great English. I read the key to him but it wasn't right. The OEM sticker was so small. I read what I thought were the confusing digits and he helped me figure out the right key and activated Win10. It took a few minutes, but he was very patient and polite.

Of course if this was a Mac I wouldn't have had to screw with this at all.

I have to take a pic of the sticker on my cell and enlarge it to read the thing.

bartoni33

Heh I forgot I made this thread!

Well I went ahead and tried it and it worked like a charm. Booted up just like it belonged there. All I had to do, well didn't have to do it, was uninstall all files that pertained to my old mobo.

Thanks for all the replies folks!

BTW the new i7 6700K coupled to an ASUS Z170 mobo with a GTX 970 FTW+ shreds everything I throw at it. No overclocking needed.

Ridelynn

Glad to hear it went well