Cloning and Viewing

[TheEnm]

Hi, I have a laptop with a bunch of software on it.I want to get all of that on my main computer without unregistered it on the laptop. I was wondering if I could clone the hard drive and then plug the cloned hard drive into my main computer and run the software off that. If there is, please give instructions. Thanks!

 

[WyomingKnott]

No for two reasons.

First, your laptop hard drive instance of the operating system almost certainly has the wrong drivers and such for the motherboard on the main computer. It would not boot. This can be fixed with either a repair install or using the Restore to Dissimilar Hardware feature of something like Acronis True Image, but...

Second, if any of the software is commercial ware licensed for use on a single PC, this would be a violation of the license and 1) unlawful, 2) something we don't allow on Tom's. I suppose that it's possible that all you have is open source software or multiple-seat licenses, but please check before considering this.

 

[Onus]

If the laptop is a work laptop and the PC is a home PC, look into whatever Home Use Program the software vendor has. For example, with an Enterprise license of Microsoft Office, you can typically put it on a Home PC as well (as long as you remain employed with the company). Sometimes there's a small charge (I remember $20 when I got Office 2007 this way) for an installation DVD which they will send to you.