windows transfer without two drive

[Stellar_]

I'm trying to revive an old Alienware Alpha as a Minecraft server, so I'd like to install a 2.5 in sata ssd in place of the 2.5 in hdd, but I'm unsure of how to transfer windows to the new drive because there are only ports for 1 drive. The ssd is formatted because it has been in my regular pc, would it be possible to move with a usb drive?

[Eigenvektor]

You could buy an external enclosure for the drive, and then attach it via USB. But why not just do a fresh install or even use Linux if it's supposed to be a server?

[Stellar_]

I wouldn't mind doing a fresh install, given that I have already backed up my personal files, but I'm unsure of how to do that without losing my windows key.

[Eigenvektor]

2 minutes ago, Stellar_ said:

I wouldn't mind doing a fresh install, given that I have already backed up my personal files, but I'm unsure of how to do that without losing my windows key.

Which Windows version is it? If it's Windows 10/11, the key is bound to the hardware, you have a digital key at that point and you should be able to do a fresh install without having to enter a key.