Easy way to move OS from a hardrive to a usb to a ssd?

[Dreaper]

Easy way to move OS from a hardrive to a usb to a ssd? Just got a new laptop and i want to switch the HDD out for a SSD but keep the OS any suggestions? 

[Electronics Wizardy]

You can use a program like dd to make aimage on a usb, then put the image on the new ssd.

[Dreaper]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

You can use a program like dd to make aimage on a usb, then put the image on the new ssd.

Will i have to enter the windows key again though? 

[Electronics Wizardy]

2 minutes ago, Dreaper said:

Will i have to enter the windows key again though? 

shouldn't need to. windows won't see a differnece normally and most laptops have a key built into the bios.

[Dreaper]

2 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

shouldn't need to. windows won't see a differnece normally and most laptops have a key built into the bios.

Alright can you link me dd? and maybe a video on how to do it?

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, Dreaper said:

Alright can you link me dd? and maybe a video on how to do it?

dd is included in basically every linux distro out there and other *nix distros.

 

How big are the hdd and ssd?

 

 

[Dreaper]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

dd is included in basically every linux distro out there and other *nix distros.

 

How big are the hdd and ssd?

 

 

the hdd is 1tb and the ssd is 480gb

[Electronics Wizardy]

3 minutes ago, Dreaper said:

the hdd is 1tb and the ssd is 480gb

that makes it a more of a pain.

 

Normally, I shrink the c partition, so less than 480gb of the drive is used and there is nothing used at the end of the drive, dd it over, then boot into the ssd and expand it to full.

 

But if its a new laptop, just reinstall

[MrDrWho13]

Don't bother trying to save the old copy of Windows. All that matters is the Windows license, and that's tied to your motherboard so any new installs should automatically activate. Read about creating a USB installer here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

[Dreaper]

Just now, MrDrWho13 said:

Don't bother trying to save the old copy of Windows. All that matters is the Windows license, and that's tied to your motherboard so any new installs should automatically activate. Read about creating a USB installer here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

I looked and dell said you would have to re enter the key i dont have 

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, Dreaper said:

I looked and dell said you would have to re enter the key i dont have 

The key is already in the motherboard, you don't have to enter it again.

 

And if you reinstall it gets rid of all the bloat.

[MrDrWho13]

1 minute ago, Dreaper said:

I looked and dell said you would have to re enter the key i dont have 

It should be on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop

[MrDrWho13]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

The key is already in the motherboard, you don't have to enter it again.

 

And if you reinstall it gets rid of all the bloat.

+1 for anti bloat. Create the USB installer directly from Microsoft to avoid all the rubbish Dell put on it.

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, MrDrWho13 said:

It should be on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop

thats gone in 8+ on almost all laptops, its built into the firmware now.

[MrDrWho13]

Just now, Electronics Wizardy said:

thats gone in 8+ on almost all laptops, its built into the firmware now.

Not sure where OP got that info then. Go ahead and put a new blank Windows install on your SSD, OP.

[Dreaper]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

thats gone in 8+ on almost all laptops, its built into the firmware now.

 

2 minutes ago, MrDrWho13 said:

+1 for anti bloat. Create the USB installer directly from Microsoft to avoid all the rubbish Dell put on it.

Can someone just link me a video  

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, Dreaper said:

 

Can someone just link me a video  

for reinstalling windows?

 

Make a usb here . https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

Boot from it in the bios.

 

Click next a few times.

 

and you should have a new copy of windows.

[MrDrWho13]

1 minute ago, Dreaper said:

 

Can someone just link me a video  

 

[Dreaper]

5 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

for reinstalling windows?

 

Make a usb here . https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

Boot from it in the bios.

 

Click next a few times.

 

and you should have a new copy of windows.

do i use the tool? 

[MrDrWho13]

1 minute ago, Dreaper said:

do i use the tool? 

yes

[Dreaper]

Just now, MrDrWho13 said:

yes

It says i will need a windows code which i dont have

[MrDrWho13]

Just now, Dreaper said:

It says i will need a windows code which i dont have

You can press skip and it will activate automatically once connected to the internet.

[Dreaper]

Just now, MrDrWho13 said:

You can press skip and it will activate automatically once connected to the internet.

Alright i hope your right