Copying Windows?

ohdatpro · July 16, 2016

So, I've never actually bought a copy of Windows other than what has been on my laptop that I have owned for a while. My build for my new PC is getting closer and and closer to being complete, but lacks an OS. I want to keep the HDD in my laptop, but copy windows and most, if not all of my files to another HDD/SSD which I know is feasible. My question is will new hardware affect other files and potentially corrupt old ones if I do it wrong? Is there a correct way to do this? If so, PLEASE let me know! Thanks!

Mira Yurizaki · July 16, 2016

Technically... You can clone the hard drive onto the new one and run Windows on another PC mostly intact, you'll just have to do cleanup of all the drivers and other system software, then install the correct ones.

However it's against the EULA to use the same Windows on multiple machines. One Windows per computer. Though what'll likely happen is the OS will flag itself on the other computer as not being genuine and it'll go into a reduced functionality mode.

demonix00 · July 16, 2016

Since the OS on the laptop would be of an OEM variety, moving the install to another computer will make the license not genuine (also there's the other part about it only being valid for one computer).