New computer same HHD will it still have windows?

[splashhcsgo]

If i build a whole new computer and put my existing storage with windows 10 will my computer still have windows 10?

 

[Pavkata882]

Yes but your old drivers will still be on that drive and it will take you long time to clean old stuff and install your new ones. Best thing to do is to make a clean install on that hdd after you backup your personal files

 

[splashhcsgo]

Yes but your old drivers will still be on that drive and it will take you long time to clean old stuff and install your new ones. Best thing to do is to make a clean install on that hdd after you backup your personal files

Do i do that by just factory reseting my PC?

 

[Rogue Leader]

You need to format the hard drive and reinstall Windows 10 from a disc or thumb drive. You also need to transfer your license from your old system to your new one.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

 

[USAFRet]

If i build a whole new computer and put my existing storage with windows 10 will my computer still have windows 10?

Assuming Windows 10:

Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Thats for the licensing/activation.


For the actual operation...be prepared for a full reinstall.

There are 3 possible outcomes:
1. It boots up just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It boots up, but you have lingering issues

For a change like this, a clean install is highly recommended, often required.

 

[splashhcsgo]

If i build a whole new computer and put my existing storage with windows 10 will my computer still have windows 10?

Assuming Windows 10:

Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Thats for the licensing/activation.


For the actual operation...be prepared for a full reinstall.

There are 3 possible outcomes:
1. It boots up just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It boots up, but you have lingering issues

For a change like this, a clean install is highly recommended, often required.

So if i a do a clean install i wont have any of those problems correct?

 

[splashhcsgo]

If i build a whole new computer and put my existing storage with windows 10 will my computer still have windows 10?

Assuming Windows 10:

Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Thats for the licensing/activation.


For the actual operation...be prepared for a full reinstall.

There are 3 possible outcomes:
1. It boots up just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It boots up, but you have lingering issues

For a change like this, a clean install is highly recommended, often required.

So if i a do a clean install i wont have any of those problems correct?

 

[USAFRet]

So if i a do a clean install i wont have any of those problems correct?

Correct.
Of course, this requires a reinstall of everything else, starting with your hardware drivers.

Just like powering up a brand new PC for the first time.


ANd you still need to do that first part about the OS license.

 

[splashhcsgo]

So if i a do a clean install i wont have any of those problems correct?

Correct.
Of course, this requires a reinstall of everything else, starting with your hardware drivers.

Just like powering up a brand new PC for the first time.

Kind of a noob here but all my parts should come with the drivers and I install those after I install windows right?

Also do you know a guide how to install windows

 

[USAFRet]

Kind of a noob here but all my parts should come with the drivers and I install those after I install windows right?

Also do you know a guide how to install windows

After the OS install, yes.

How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

 

[splashhcsgo]

Kind of a noob here but all my parts should come with the drivers and I install those after I install windows right?

Also do you know a guide how to install windows

After the OS install, yes.

How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

😱 that makes zero sense to me? is there an easy way to do it?

 

[USAFRet]

😱 that makes zero sense to me? is there an easy way to do it?

Zero sense?
That is a specific step by step guide to installing Win 10.

What part is unclear to you?

 

[failboat]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

 

[Rogue Leader]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

Yeah thats not true at all. I and other members have swapped licenses on many machines. I completely changed everything in mine, deactivated the old, activated it on the new no problem.

Nice name though, fitting.

 

[splashhcsgo]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

So basically im building a whole new pc and just putting this storage in it.

 

[splashhcsgo]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

Yeah thats not true at all. I and other members have swapped licenses on many machines. I completely changed everything in mine, deactivated the old, activated it on the new no problem.

Nice name though, fitting.

So if I but my storage in a new build will i be able to re-active my windows? and is there a simply way to just take windows off the drive then install it again on my new build?

 

[USAFRet]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

Windows 10 changed all that, as of the 1607 release.

 

[USAFRet]

So if I but my storage in a new build will i be able to re-active my windows? and is there a simply way to just take windows off the drive then install it again on my new build?

Again...


These links tell you about the OS licensing:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html


This link spells out how to do a full reinstall, with the new parts:
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

 

[splashhcsgo]

So if I but my storage in a new build will i be able to re-active my windows? and is there a simply way to just take windows off the drive then install it again on my new build?

Again...


These links tell you about the OS licensing:
Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html


This link spells out how to do a full reinstall, with the new parts:
How to do a CLEAN installation of Windows 10

So its probably a better idea just to get a new HHD and install it on there?

 

[USAFRet]

So its probably a better idea just to get a new HHD and install it on there?

The physical drive does not matter. Old, new, previous boot drive or just a secondary drive.

In the "How to.." above, Section II, Step 6 & 7 speak to deleting all the existing partitions on the drive, and starting with a clean slate.

 

[Rogue Leader]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

Yeah thats not true at all. I and other members have swapped licenses on many machines. I completely changed everything in mine, deactivated the old, activated it on the new no problem.

Nice name though, fitting.

So if I but my storage in a new build will i be able to re-active my windows? and is there a simply way to just take windows off the drive then install it again on my new build?

You need to format and wipe the drive. Follow USAFRet's instructions, he made it very clear.

 

[splashhcsgo]

windows only lets you change certain parts before having to pay again. be ready to fork over cash.
if you have never changed the motherboard it might work. i think they allow the mobo to be replaced once with a new model. same model can be changed multiple times.

Yeah thats not true at all. I and other members have swapped licenses on many machines. I completely changed everything in mine, deactivated the old, activated it on the new no problem.

Nice name though, fitting.

So if I but my storage in a new build will i be able to re-active my windows? and is there a simply way to just take windows off the drive then install it again on my new build?

You need to format and wipe the drive. Follow USAFRet's instructions, he made it very clear.

Okay, I get the process of how to do a clean installation of windows, but how do I wipe my HHD?

 

[USAFRet]

Okay, I get the process of how to do a clean installation of windows, but how do I wipe my HHD?

Read through the link I provided.
Section II, Step 6 & 7 says exactly that.

 

[splashhcsgo]

Okay, I get the process of how to do a clean installation of windows, but how do I wipe my HHD?

Read through the link I provided.
Section II, Step 6 & 7 says exactly that.

LAST question, i dont have to do any of this until I put it into my new pc correct or before?

 

[USAFRet]

LAST question, i dont have to do any of this until I put it into my new pc correct or before?

Only 2 things you need to do before you start down this path...

1. Read through and understand the links I provided above.
Read through multiple times if needed.

2. Link your OS license, in the current system, to an MS account.