Have to setup multiple PC's, can I clone them?

[CiBi]

Hello LTT forum,

 

I have to setup 8 identical HP business AIO's today and I was wondering if I configure one, can I than just clone the disk to the other 7?

 

The one thing I'm worried about is after cloning, all 8 will try and use the same windows key to activate, or will they automaticaly revert to their  individual OEM license?

 

I know there are solutions to deploy installations to several devices at once over lan etc but I'm just looking for a quick, free fix for these 8 today.

[FlappyBoobs]

You could install windows without a key on the first machine, set it all up then clone the drive 7 times and place it in each machine. Then just boot and enter the key into each machine to finish the job.

[CiBi]

problem is they have windows 10 pro installed with an embedded key. So I don't have the actual key for them

[Rehmat]

Install all the software on one machine.

Then remove the hardrives from the rest of them.

One by one clone the hdd that you installed windows on to the other hdd's.

After this they will all be activated with the same key.

To get around this issue go to control panel and then go to system. [or type in activate in the search bar]

And click change product key. This will open a popup that asks you to enter a new key to activate.

Job done.

 

To clone use a software like Macrium Reflect which is free. 

 

[Rehmat]

If they have windows already installed and you just want them to all run the same software applications then ignore my above post and do the following:

Set up 1 pc how you need it.

Then create an image of the OS

Go to the other 7 pc's and restore from the image.

They will still use their own product keys. 

 

BTW if you would like to extract they keys for usage on other machines then look at this: 

https://www.nextofwindows.com/how-to-retrieve-windows-8-oem-product-key-from-bios

 

[Falco5150]

you can use this free tool here to get the product key from each pc.

just load it on a flash drive run it and the key will pop up. copy the keys. then do what rehmat said and install win 10 on 1 drive without the key, clone it to the rest, install them, and reactivate each one individually with your copied keys.

https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

[Acedia]

Sysprep is what you are looking for...