Old storage w/OS for new PC?

[MercinwithaMouth]

Can I take out the HDD in a laptop and put it into a new tower, keeping the OS?

 

[clutchc]

I doubt the PC will boot. And if it does, it will need lots of "fixing". But yes, you may be able to do that if the laptop's devices were similar to the desktop's. Of course, the OS will have to be re-activated with Microsoft. And if the OS is an OEM that came with the laptop, I doubt you will be allowed to activate it w/o buying a new license.

 

[USAFRet]

Can I take out the HDD in a laptop and put it into a new tower, keeping the OS?

That almost certainly will not boot up.
What OS is this?

 

[MercinwithaMouth]

Windows 8 Home

 

[USAFRet]

Windows 8 Home

I give it about 95% chance of not booting up.
And then you'd also need a new license for that. In the laptop, it is almost certainly an OEM license, and non-transferable.

Solution?
Sell the laptop as is. Buy a new OS for your new PC.