Hey there! I'm planning to upgrade my PC and intend to replace my motherboard, along with adding a new SSD. I want to keep my existing HDD for storage, but it currently has Windows installed. Is it possible to transfer Windows from the HDD to the SSD without any issues? I've seen people using apps to clone their drives, then adjusting the BIOS to change the boot order. However, I'm concerned about having Windows on both drives at the same time. If I decide to remove Windows from the HDD later on, how would that affect my setup?
3 Answers
It's known as OS migration. Some tools allow keeping your Windows on both drives, but others don't. After you migrate or clone your OS to the SSD, you can safely wipe it from the HDD if you want.
If you have a full retail version of Windows, installing it on the new SSD and using the same product key is straightforward. However, if it's an OEM version, it might be trickier. I learned that the hard way!
I'd recommend doing a clean install of Windows instead of cloning. You can use your existing product key for the new installation. This way, you’ll avoid potential conflicts between the two drives.
I had issues with fTPM blocking access to Windows, but I've managed to migrate my OEM OS before without a hitch. As long as you have the original OS, you should be fine! Just remember that OEM versions check the original hardware.