How to go about installing a new HDD.

[afrotv]

tldr: I've been using an old HDD that I ripped from an old pre-built. I don't have a copy of an operating system, but I have the key to this one. How do I transfer to a new HDD?

My current hard drive is failing, and I'm going to buy a caviar blue. I don't have a CD for the windows 7 on this computer(I just took the HDD from my old computer which was a prebuilt); however, I do have the key. How do I go about putting this OS on my new hard drive or just transferring my info over to the new one?

 

[bignastyid]

The key from the pre-built won't work on another system it is locked to the system it was originally installed on. Your best option would be to install windows 10 on the new hdd and just run it unactivated(will lose some personalization features) till you can buy a key for it.
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-3567655/clean-installation-windows.html

 

[inzane4all]

The internet is your friend:

Go here and download the ISO. Enter your valid key:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7?

Finally go here and create bootable USB/DVD:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=56485


Boot from USB/DVD and voila! Easy Peezy! That is of course if you don't need to clone your old drive, which I strongly suggest not to do. Good luck!

 

[bignastyid]

The internet is your friend:

Go here and download the ISO. Enter you valid key:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7?

Finally go here and create bootable USB/DVD:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=56485


Boot from USB/DVD and voila! Easy Peezy! That is of course if you don't need to clone your old drive, which I strongly suggest not to do. Good luck!

That Microsoft download only works for retail and store bought OEM copies it will not work for pre-installed OEM keys.

 

[inzane4all]

Your right, I saw that. Sorry my friend... Looks like you'll have to get a new digital copy.