Moving OS to new PC

[RobPlev]

I'm waiting to get all my new parts for a new PC I'm building but this is the first time where I'm having to move old hardware as well as the OS. 

 

I have a fully licenced Windows 10 on my 2.5" SSD in my current rig. In my new PC I am getting a M.2 drive so I would like to install Windows on that. 

My question is what is the best way to move Windows over to the new PC? 

 

• I still have the Windows USB I installed with the first time. I'm actually wanting to do a clean install so what steps do I need to take to do this? 
• Can I simply just plug the USB in the new PC and install Windows and then activate it with my key?
• Do I need to deactivate Windows on my old rig? 
• I have a Microsoft account, can I just transfer the licence to the new rig? 

Any help appreciated 

[Mario5]

The key can be used only once. 

[SupaKomputa]

• I still have the Windows USB I installed with the first time. I'm actually wanting to do a clean install so what steps do I need to take to do this? 
  same as the usual.
   
• Can I simply just plug the USB in the new PC and install Windows and then activate it with my key?
  Yes for the key, you need to get a new activation.
   
• Do I need to deactivate Windows on my old rig? 
  Not required.
   
• I have a Microsoft account, can I just transfer the licence to the new rig? 
  Yes. It will simply disable the license in the old rig.

[SupaKomputa]

I suggest you clone the drive with macrium.

[Applefreak]

21 minutes ago, RobPlev said:

I'm waiting to get all my new parts for a new PC I'm building but this is the first time where I'm having to move old hardware as well as the OS. 

 

I have a fully licenced Windows 10 on my 2.5" SSD in my current rig. In my new PC I am getting a M.2 drive so I would like to install Windows on that. 

My question is what is the best way to move Windows over to the new PC? 

 

• I still have the Windows USB I installed with the first time. I'm actually wanting to do a clean install so what steps do I need to take to do this? 
• Can I simply just plug the USB in the new PC and install Windows and then activate it with my key?
• Do I need to deactivate Windows on my old rig? 
• I have a Microsoft account, can I just transfer the licence to the new rig? 

Any help appreciated 

The windows license can be reactivated on the new computer with your MS account. Takes a couple of minutes at most to complete. I would strongly advise on installing a fresh copy of windows to avoid later issues with old driver fragments. Once installed on the M.2 drive, connect your old SSD and copy over the files you need.

You probably want to copy your old My Documents folder, the Program Files/ProgramData and Program Files (x86)/Program Data folders as well as the hidden AppData folder, located in your users folder.

[RobPlev]

Thanks everyone! 

 

Do these instructions linked below work? Seems straightforward if so:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-transfer-windows-10-license-new-computer-or-hard-drive