Moving windows 10 from old PC to new one

[anthonytran7757]

So I'm upgrading my computer (cpu motherboard and memory) in the next little while and I've done a bit of research and I'm not sure if this will be a problem or not. So my worry is that I won't be able to transfer it. I started out with an OEM version of Windows 7 and upgraded to 10. Some places say that I won't be able to transfer my key due to Microsoft changing the policies and being a bit of a d*** about it. I've done it once years ago when windows 7 was the most current OS. can anyone shed some light on this situation? Also I'm looking to do a fresh install as well but my main issue is potentially not being able to use my key on they new hardware.

 

PS sorry if this was too rambly

[Changis]

23 minutes ago, anthonytran7757 said:

So I'm upgrading my computer (cpu motherboard and memory) in the next little while and I've done a bit of research and I'm not sure if this will be a problem or not. So my worry is that I won't be able to transfer it. I started out with an OEM version of Windows 7 and upgraded to 10. Some places say that I won't be able to transfer my key due to Microsoft changing the policies and being a bit of a d*** about it. I've done it once years ago when windows 7 was the most current OS. can anyone shed some light on this situation? Also I'm looking to do a fresh install as well but my main issue is potentially not being able to use my key on they new hardware.

 

PS sorry if this was too rambly

it will probably create more problems than it's worth.. it's set up to work one one set of hardware, if you change the hardware, not only does the drivers not work properly, but you might not be able to start windows at all.. programs might not work.. cleaning out the old settings is very time consuming and manual work, and even then you most likely will have traces of the old computer..

doing a fresh reinstall may be tedious, but you'll get a windows that is compatible with the computer you have built, you don't have to macguyver any solutions to get a half broken windows to work, and you start out with a fresh installation without any residual programs lying around 

tl;dr moving a windows installation to new hardware is not adviced, reinstall instead.

[anthonytran7757]

Will I be able to use the key (from updated OEM windows 7) found on my current system to do a fresh install on the new hardware? If so how would I go about doing that? I don't want to have to go out and buy another copy of Windows 10 s*** is expensive

[RadiatingLight]

24 minutes ago, Changis said:

it will probably create more problems than it's worth.. it's set up to work one one set of hardware, if you change the hardware, not only does the drivers not work properly, but you might not be able to start windows at all.. programs might not work.. cleaning out the old settings is very time consuming and manual work, and even then you most likely will have traces of the old computer..

doing a fresh reinstall may be tedious, but you'll get a windows that is compatible with the computer you have built, you don't have to macguyver any solutions to get a half broken windows to work, and you start out with a fresh installation without any residual programs lying around 

tl;dr moving a windows installation to new hardware is not adviced, reinstall instead.

He's talking about the key being valid.

not the HDD working.

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, anthonytran7757 said:

Will I be able to use the key (from updated OEM windows 7) found on my current system to do a fresh install on the new hardware? If so how would I go about doing that? I don't want to have to go out and buy another copy of Windows 10 s*** is expensive

quote people when you reply...

 

also, it should work. just remember to link your current PC to your Microsoft account, and you should be good.

even if it doesn't then a quick call to Microsoft will fix the issue.

[LogicalDrm]

11 minutes ago, anthonytran7757 said:

Will I be able to use the key (from updated OEM windows 7) found on my current system to do a fresh install on the new hardware? If so how would I go about doing that? I don't want to have to go out and buy another copy of Windows 10 s*** is expensive

How did you get OEM Win7? If it came with current PC, then its 50-50. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If you bought it separetly from store, it should work like retail key. It should also work directly in Win10 so you don't need to install Win7 first.

[anthonytran7757]

2 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

He's talking about the key being valid.

not the HDD working.

 

 

 

quote people when you reply...

 

also, it should work. just remember to link your current PC to your Microsoft account, and you should be good.

even if it doesn't then a quick call to Microsoft will fix the issue.

Oops sorry didn't know that was a thing. So as long as it is tied to my Microsoft account it doesn't matter as long as I can log into that account everything should be cool?

[anthonytran7757]

3 minutes ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

How did you get OEM Win7? If it came with current PC, then its 50-50. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If you bought it separetly from store, it should work like retail key. It should also work directly in Win10 so you don't need to install Win7 first.

Bought it from ncix some years ago. Oh so i can just throw the key in like I used to back when windows 7 was the latest and it should work out nicely?

[RadiatingLight]

Just now, anthonytran7757 said:

Oops sorry didn't know that was a thing. So as long as it is tied to my Microsoft account it doesn't matter as long as I can log into that account everything should be cool?

Mostly.

 

windows will probably start out Unactivated, but there's an option in windows activation settings (after running a troubleshooter) that asks you if you have recently changed hardware. if you answer yes, then it deactivates the old motherboard (keys are linked to motherboards), and transfers the key to the new one.

[LogicalDrm]

12 minutes ago, anthonytran7757 said:

Bought it from ncix some years ago. Oh so i can just throw the key in like I used to back when windows 7 was the latest and it should work out nicely?

Yes. Key is registered for Win10 and Win7. I haven't done this myself, but there are several users who have done it and got it working just like that.

[anthonytran7757]

16 hours ago, RadiatingLight said:

Mostly.

 

windows will probably start out Unactivated, but there's an option in windows activation settings (after running a troubleshooter) that asks you if you have recently changed hardware. if you answer yes, then it deactivates the old motherboard (keys are linked to motherboards), and transfers the key to the new one.

alright fingers crossed it'll work without any problems

18 hours ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

Yes. Key is registered for Win10 and Win7. I haven't done this myself, but there are several users who have done it and got it working just like that.

Good to know though I was freaking out thinking I was screwed because I didn't exactly have a windows 10 retail key I could use over and over again. Thanks for putting my worries at ease

[anthonytran7757]

Just an update, can confirm putting the key in works and I was also goofing around and the microsoft account method also does work!