How do I go about replacing my HDD with a new one without losing Windows

[CosmicDomino]

Long story short, my hard drive either broke or is old but was constantly running at 100% and reformatting it did nothing. People tell me to get an SSD (everyone on here) but storage is important to me and I need at least 1TB. I can't easily afford a new HDD and SSD. Maybe later. Anyways, I decided I want to buy a new HDD. I have a Western Digital Blue 1TB. I was thinking about getting something better but not sure if I can in this case. I'm fine with getting another 1TB, I just want a functional computer. I make music and YouTube videos and it's awful being out of commission for this long. How do I replace my HDD without having to repurchase Windows 10? I have my original disk from when I originally bought it still if that helps.

 

EDIT: In case it wasn't obvious, it's a desktop. 

[LienusLateTips]

6 minutes ago, CosmicDomino said:

Long story short, my hard drive either broke or is old but was constantly running at 100% and reformatting it did nothing. People tell me to get an SSD (everyone on here) but storage is important to me and I need at least 1TB. I can't easily afford a new HDD and SSD. Maybe later. Anyways, I decided I want to buy a new HDD. I have a Western Digital Blue 1TB. I was thinking about getting something better but not sure if I can in this case. I'm fine with getting another 1TB, I just want a functional computer. I make music and YouTube videos and it's awful being out of commission for this long. How do I replace my HDD without having to repurchase Windows 10? I have my original disk from when I originally bought it still if that helps.

 

EDIT: In case it wasn't obvious, it's a desktop. 

If you have Windows 10, and it's linked to a Microsoft account, it'll automatically reactivate itself.

 

Otherwise, you'll have to find the key. If it's a OEM key, or one that came with your pre-built, you also don't have to worry.

 

If it's a retail key, good luck trying to find the key.

[191x7]

Get an SSD and install Windows on it. Us the old drive as storage till you get a new one.

What's keeping the drive at 100% use is the programs that run off it, the same would probably happen with a new drive, especially if you would clone existing (old) windows and files from the old drive to the new one - the new drive would behave almost the same as the old.

If the Windows and programs would be on the SSD and start from it, the HDD wouldn't be accessed that much.

[CosmicDomino]

I really like your idea. How do I transfer Windows onto the SSD and use the HDD just for storage? Also, if I got the new HDD, what would happen to the content on the original HDD?

[LienusLateTips]

20 minutes ago, CosmicDomino said:

I really like your idea. How do I transfer Windows onto the SSD and use the HDD just for storage? Also, if I got the new HDD, what would happen to the content on the original HDD?

Reinstall the SSD. That's all. You'll need the key, as before, but it's a better solution.

 

The old HDD will still have all it's content. I'd recommend deleting the Windows files on it, as it's just taking up space.

[CosmicDomino]

13 minutes ago, LienusLateTips said:

Reinstall the SSD. That's all. You'll need the key, as before, but it's a better solution.

 

The old HDD will still have all it's content. I'd recommend deleting the Windows files on it, as it's just taking up space.

So boot with my SSD and install Windows 10 with my disc? If so, how do I set my computer to boot with it automatically? 

[LienusLateTips]

Just now, CosmicDomino said:

So boot with my SSD and install Windows 10 with my disc? If so, how do I set my computer to boot with it automatically? 

Go into the BIOS: it's usually in the last page.

 

Other times, it'll do it automatically, but don't count on that.