I'm considering moving a hard drive with Windows 10 to a brand-new computer, which currently has no hard drive. I'm curious about the likelihood of it working properly versus causing issues. If it's likely not to work, what can I do to ensure I keep the Windows license from that drive, especially if it's likely an OEM key?
5 Answers
Yes, it should work! Just keep in mind you may need to tweak some BIOS settings related to UEFI and CSM, depending on whether your Windows installation is using MBR or GPT. However, do note that an OEM license generally can't be transferred to a new device, so that could be a hiccup.
While it might function, I recommend against it for the best stability. Doing a clean install is generally smarter as it avoids potential software conflicts. You might need to go through some reactivation steps afterward too.
If you want to ensure your Windows license is tied to a new computer, just log into Windows with a Microsoft account. That way, your license should get linked to that account and you can activate it on a new machine without needing to move the hard drive over.
I wouldn’t recommend this approach. It might work, but with all new hardware, you could face various stability issues. Windows recognizes the hardware during a fresh install and will grab all the right drivers. Just back up your files and do a clean install—it’s worth it in the long run!
In most cases, it will probably work! If you're switching between Intel and AMD, though, your chances might drop some due to driver issues. I've faced a few problems switching GPUs between brands too, so definitely consider uninstalling the video drivers before you make the switch.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload