Move Windows

[TechnoBacon]

So I want to remove my windows 8.1 professional from my laptop to my desktop, how do I do that?

Note, it is not an oem version

Thx

[Shroomster]

Format the drive?

[Jade]

Open cmd and type

slsmgr.vbs /upk

 

Then install Windows using the product key of the PC you just deactivated.

[TechnoBacon]

Open cmd and type

slsmgr.vbs /upk

Then install Windows using the product key of the PC you just deactivated.

For real? Is it that simple?

[GoodBytes]

In the case of Windows 8, it should work removing the HDD and put it on your desktop. You can try to clone teh drives or image and ghost (image/ghost will work better if you pass form HDD to SSD due to the way both technology works differently)

In the case of Windows 7, then usually the OS will start to act funny due to different hardware, or BSOD on you at startup, unless the hardware is very close to each other. So in the end you'll format and re-install Windows.

Windows 8.1 is more robust due to support (Enterprise edition) Windows 2 Go feature, which is like Linux Live disk.

Windows 10, based on my test is even more robust.

[Jade]

For real? Is it that simple?

Assuming all you want to do it move the installation of Windows, and not the other applications/data, yup.

[TechnoBacon]

Assuming all you want to do it move the installation of Windows, and not the other applications/data, yup.

All I want is a fresh new install. I assume i wont be able to keep the Windows on both pc's, but will I be able to use the oem that came with the laptop straight away?

[Jade]

All I want is a fresh new install. I assume i wont be able to keep the Windows on both pc's, but will I be able to use the oem that came with the laptop straight away?

Yep. You'll have to obtain install media for the version of Windows that came with the laptop, though. (That, or use the restore partition... if it has one.)