New computer no OS

[Jay Lindsey]

I received a brand new "bare bones" computer from my brother for Christmas, has no OS. I have a laptop & a desktop which both have win8.1. I'm too broke to buy a new OS but I have 2 or 3 copies of XP, 1 Vista plus, a win7 that I've already upgraded and cant use. I would like to (if I can) transfer the OS from my desktop to my new computer and then install one of the old OS back on the older desktop. Would I just zero fill the disk on the older desktop, install win7 on the new one and upgrade it, then install one of the older OS back on the old desktop. I cant afford to purchase a new OS, and not using any of the old software. I'm almost willing to give that a try unless someone has a better idea.

 

[USAFRet]

No, you cannot do that.

 

[mdd1963]

Is your WIn7 desktop an OEM install, or did it have a retail Win7 disk with it?

 

[USAFRet]

I would like to (if I can) transfer the OS from my desktop to my new computer and then install one of the old OS back on the older desktop.

For your desktop...is that a Windows 8.1 that you bought and you installed, or was is preinstalled from the manufacturer?

 

[Jay Lindsey]

Is your WIn7 desktop an OEM install, or did it have a retail Win7 disk with it?

1. My older desktop was originally win7 (forget which one) I bought a retail version of win8 @ 49.00 then that one updated to win8.1 and I really prefer that version over any windows OS.
2. I had an oem disk laying around, but it's a 32bit version, so yesterday I bought win7 prem for $70. I saw Home Prem for a little less but I need both 32 & 64 bit to run my software & this should work. I also could have got an ISO of win8.1 but that site seemed kind of "iffy" if you know what I mean. Thank you guys for trying to help, I'm no pro but I know enough to look for help when I need it, see ya around.
Jay P Lindsey