Can i reinstall windows 8 on a different HDD. PLEASE HELP!

bigirishman

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Dec 20, 2012
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My hd is on its way out so im about to put a new one in. I have windows 8 pro. Can I reinstall windows 8 on the new hdd without messing my licence? I have install disks and key. Ive been told windows 8 is funny with hardware changes! I myself cant see no problems yet ive been here b4 on issues and wished I had of asked someone in the know b4 trusting myself.
 
You can move Windows 8 (including) OEM around machines as much as you like as long as the previous installation is deactivated/removed.
 


One thing you should be careful about...

If the serial code you purchased for Win8 Pro was an upgrade code, then you must install win7 before re-installing win8 pro. This just means that if you try to do a clean install onto the new hard drive and you use an upgrade code, it will install, but it will not activate. The upgrade code requires you to have a windows os already installed before the upgrade.
 
It is only the upgrade process that requires a old OS to be installed. If you already have a key you should just boot from the install image (cd or thumbdrive) and enter your key and continue the install. if you are installing on the same machine your key will activate without any issue after the install is completed.

if you did not make media you can download the image without having to buy another key from here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only (just make your image for a dvd or flash drive)
 
Does this key works for old versions if i try to upgrade it.
I am not sure what you mean. After a key is activated to a machine you can do some modifications to that machine and reinstall using that same key. Windows 8 does comes with downgrade rights to install older versions of windows on that machine also but I have never needed to do that.

the link I provided is used when you have a valid key but don't have a proper image. for example, students get keys via email but not the image, some corporations might give you a key and you have to download the image. Or in my case I did the upgrade and did not make a thumb or disk image and had to down load it again without buying another key
 




what if i wan tot install it on a new ssd ,will this thing work ?and ya i wanted to install a 64 bit version and remove the 32 bit version will it work?
 
I solved this. I installed by new motherboard and processor and then formatted my hard drive. When i entered my windows 8 lisence key it didnt work at first. What i had to do was contact microsoft on the phone(automated message) and I got a key after a few simple steps. You can install win 8 again when changing hardware.
 

Out of interest, did you try the 'Refresh' method to activate?

 

No mate. I thought id try the phone method first. It didnt charge much for the call either. About 30p