[SOLVED] How do i move a drive with windows already installed on it, to a new pc?

[Sumsar07]

I have an SSD with windows installed on it, and i got a new mo-bo, cpu and new ram. I cant bother downloading windows from scratch again, because i have files on it. Is there a way that i can move that ssd with the OS on, and still keep my
data?

Or even better if i can do it without having to use a pc, because i have disassembled it, and it takes some time to assemble it again.

 

[jay32267]

No.

You need to do a clean Windows install with a new motherboard.

You cannot transfer the drive with OS from another machine without problems or the potential for problems.

 

[USAFRet]

I have an SSD with windows installed on it, and i got a new mo-bo, cpu and new ram. I cant bother downloading windows from scratch again, because i have files on it. Is there a way that i can move that ssd with the OS on, and still keep my
data?

Or even better if i can do it without having to use a pc, because i have disassembled it, and it takes some time to assemble it again.

Mostly, you don't.

New PC, a fresh install is strongly recommended, usually required.
Especially if the old and new systems are significantly different.

Basically, there are 3 possible outcomes:

1. It works just fine.
2. It fails completely.
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

We've seen all three.

 

[jay32267]

I've seen quite a few people "think" they succeeded in doing it.....and after some time....problems.
I don't care for that kind of risk.

 

[USAFRet]

I've seen quite a few people "think" they succeeded in doing it.....and after some time....problems.
I don't care for that kind of risk.

Exactly.
We've seen many people here who claim success.
"You guys are liars! It worked for me!!"

After a week or so:
"hmm....maybe not so much"

 

[DSzymborski]

And already having files you want to keep on the old Windows build is not a good excuse for skipping the fresh Windows build, either. You should never lose important data after a full wipe because important data should be backed up all the time and ideally in multiple places. If a Windows install would cause you to lose anything, you have a serious data maintenance issue that's far more important to remedy than using a new computer.