Moving my OS SSD to another computer?

[ihave400houses]

Ok so i bought a new computer which i have yet to build, i am just preparing. If i take my current main SSD which has windows 7 64 bit OEM on in and put in into my new computer can i just boot from drive with my new windows 8 retail version and format my old drive in new computer and write over it? Or will my old SSD be somehow linked to my old computer and will it not let me format it unless i do it while connected to all my old parts?

Im sorry if this was confusing i found it really hard to word correctly.

In short my question is, can i put a SDD which was the O/S from another computer into my new computer taking note i will be formatting it and installing a new version of windows?

Thanks

 

[bignastyid]

You won't be able to use the win 7 os, but formatting and installing 8 should work just fine.

 

[SortNVF]

Sure go ahead, only problem will be boot order. That is if your bios tries to boot off the ssd instead of the win8 install.
Most likely the win7 will complain about being faulty or somesuch.

Oh and never ever update to win 8.1 its pure evil.

 

[ihave400houses]

Thanks for the replies guys, but whats wrong with windows 8.1? i actually bought 8.1. Originally i was going to get windows 7 because i like it and everyone said get windows 8.1 because its way better than windows 8 which i didnt like

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.

OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC makes.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com

Windows 8 is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

 

[SortNVF]

Well i tested win 8.1 a little and had compatability problems all over the place (mostely games). Anyways the metro interface gave me a horrible trigger itch and hmm. Im going to hire Samuel L Jackson just to do that line from pulp fiction..

I dare you i double dare you Say App again m*******

Win8 the vista of a new generation.

Heh im getting good at this.

 

[ArtPog]

First of all you have (or shortly will have) a "new computer" (although your comment that "I have yet to build" is a bit puzzling). Anyway you have Win 8.1 or presumably that OS is already installed on your "new computer".

Frankly there's little point in raising the question "what's wrong with windows 8.1". Since you have that OS, you'll install that OS (if it is not already installed on your "new computer"". You can spend the next x number of months researching on the net the comments of "experts" and users as to their likes & dislikes re that OS. You'll probably be no further along in coming to any conclusion than you were at the beginning of your "research".

You're going to work with that OS and the only important thing is that you'll be the judge of whether you like, dislike, or simply tolerate that OS.

You've indicated that you would plan to use your "old" SSD, the drive that contains Win 7, as a secondary drive in your new computer, presumably for backup or storage purposes. As bignastyid has informed you, there should be no problem in doing so following a format of that drive. But this raises the question - will your new PC contain a newer/larger SSD as its boot drive as compared with your "old" SSD? Most users opt to use their SSD as the boot drive so if the new computer's boot drive is a HDD have you given any consideration to substituting the SSD for the HDD and using the latter as a secondary HDD?