Question Cloning windows drive for old pc

[kingbowcat]

If I clone my windows 10 to a new ssd and use in my old pc will the two versions conflict? Like with updates or you allowed to do this. Also the hardware is all different if that makes a difference?

Thanks.

 

[rgd1101]

Run windows 10 on the hardware that it was installed on

 

[USAFRet]

1. The differing hardware may prevent this completely.
2. If it works, one or both will become Unactivated before long. Can't run the same license on 2 different systems.

 

[TerryLaze]

Basically if you bind a microsoft account to your windows 10 you can skip the whole cloning part and just install windows 10 normally and use your account to activate windows 10 on the old system.
As USAFRet already mentioned you might get problems when using the same activation on two different systems.
Since MS is really trying hard to get windows on as many machines as possible while giving legal users as little trouble as possible the chance is pretty slim but it's still possible.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

 

[DSzymborski]

Basically if you bind a microsoft account to your windows 10 you can skip the whole cloning part and just install windows 10 normally and use your account to activate windows 10 on the old system.
As USAFRet already mentioned you might get problems when using the same activation on two different systems.
Since MS is really trying hard to get windows on as many machines as possible while giving legal users as little trouble as possible the chance is pretty slim but it's still possible.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Microsoft is being quite liberal with upgrades and licensing of even OEM versions, but they're still quite strict about not having the same Windows license being used on two systems simultaneously.

 

[Calvin7]

Unless the hardware is similar, you will be unable to boot up the operating system.

 

[kingbowcat]

But say if i change extensive hardware how do I keep the windows 10? or do I have to reinstall windows?

 

[USAFRet]

But say if i change extensive hardware how do I keep the windows 10? or do I have to reinstall windows?

A major hardware change generally indicates a clean install.

3 possibilities:

1. It boots up just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It boots up, but you're chasing issues for weeks

I've seen all 3.

With new hardware (motherboard) a clean install is always recommended, often required.

 

[USAFRet]

And the install is a whole different concept than the licensing.
2 separate concepts you need to deal with.

 

[kingbowcat]

And the install is a whole different concept than the licensing.
2 separate concepts you need to deal with.

Ok thank you, I will re install. I linked a microsoft account with my activated code so when i'm reinstalling it will ask me for the microsoft account and when I log in it will see my code? And to reinstall windows can I use my windows restore flash drive? which I had in case windows broke somehow. Or is there a proper way to do it?

 

[USAFRet]

For the reinstall, NOT your restore thing.

This:

How To - How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows version 10, build 1709 or newer but can be equally applied to earlier installer versions which may simply lack some of the Cortana assisted settings screens but should...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[kingbowcat]

Oh dear found out I got an OEM key this will probably be a problem right?

 

[USAFRet]

Oh dear found out I got an OEM key this will probably be a problem right?

"OEM key", from where?

 

[kingbowcat]

"OEM key", from where?

From the seller of my PC he used an OEM key to install windows. Or using the create media windows bootable drive store this OEM key for me? or will I be able to link my microsoft account later?