Question How to boot Windows on old SSD on a new PC?

[PCTDROOD]

Hi guys!

So I sold my old pc and have the parts for a new one. I had my Windows 10 installed on an ssd (interal mushkin triactor 256gb), which I still own.

Now I didn't make a backup as I thought I could just insert this ssd in a new pc, choose it as the boot drive in the bios and that would be all.

So, I have an ssd with windows, no sata cable, no pc, no Windows usb (yet, I do have a usb, but don't know how big it should be or how to make it a Windows bootable usb), but I can borrow a laptop.

How do I manage to get an ssd in my new pc with Windows 10 using what I have?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You should have done the backup before selling the old PC. most likely IT won't boot PROPERLY in another PC.

 

[Lafong]

2 possibilities:

1; simply build the new PC, connect the SSD with the old Windows installation, and attempt to boot. You may or may not live happily ever after.

2; do a clean install of Windows via a USB flash drive of at least 8 GB capacity. You would make the installer using Microsoft's "Media Creation Tool".

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

ALSO THE NEW pc WILL NEED A FRESH INSTALL OF THE OS.

 

[JeffreyP55]

The win 10 installation on the old SSD either will have issues or won't boot at all. The new PC has different drivers and other things that are not compatible. You will need to do a fresh windows 10 installation.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

wINDOWS 10 or 11 fresh install:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4gqXpdpc5o

 

[geofelt]

What were your old parts, and what are the new parts?
Data files on the old ssd are easily moved to a new pc.

On a new pc, it is best to do a new windows install.
256gb is getting a bit small for a C drive these days.
You can buy a 2tb intel 670P for $65.

If you have some apps on the ssd(other than steam) then you will need to reinstall them.
If the old and the new hardware is sufficiently similar, the old ssd may boot in which case you only need to install drivers.
Intel to intel usually works.
Intel to amd or vice versa is not likely.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

is the windows oem or retail?

 

[PCTDROOD]

You should have done the backup before selling the old PC. most likely IT won't boot PROPERLY in another PC.

I figured as much, which is why I was looking for what to do next. Would you mind explaining why ssds with windows don't properly boot in new pcs?

 

[PCTDROOD]

is the windows oem or retail?

OEM

 

[PCTDROOD]

What were your old parts, and what are the new parts?
Data files on the old ssd are easily moved to a new pc.

On a new pc, it is best to do a new windows install.
256gb is getting a bit small for a C drive these days.
You can buy a 2tb intel 670P for $65.

If you have some apps on the ssd(other than steam) then you will need to reinstall them.
If the old and the new hardware is sufficiently similar, the old ssd may boot in which case you only need to install drivers.
Intel to intel usually works.
Intel to amd or vice versa is not likely.

Old: Gigabyte Z390, i7 9700k, RTX 2070 Super

New: MSI B650 Tomahawk wifi, ryzen 5 7600x, rx 6800xt

 

[Lafong]

Would you mind explaining why ssds with windows don't properly boot in new pcs?

SSDs have nothing to do with it. HDDs react the same way.

The existing Windows installation was done with a certain motherboard, certain chipset, certain drivers, certain CPU, certain RAM, etc.

When connected to the new hardware, all of that has changed. Windows wakes up in a new world and says "what kinda deal is this?" and won't cooperate.

 

[geofelt]

Not gonna work on two counts:
1. OEM license is not transferrable to a new motherboard.
2. The processors, and chipsets are entirely different between Intel and amd. More so when a number of generations are skipped.