Question Porting HD to a new (slightly different) system

[Star2222]

Hi,
I would like to keep using a PC while at the same time installing a brand new one on a couple of HD. Then move just the HD to the first system. That would be on a Windows 10 (or 11).

The first system would be MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK and Ryzen 9 3900X . The second I haven't decided yet but will be another Ryzen 9 (but different model) and a different motherboard (don't know yet).

Is that generally possible? And if so what potential pitfalls to watch out for?

Thank you

 

[TerryLaze]

Hi,
I would like to keep using a PC

So the PC works fine...why do you want to put in a hdd with windows from a different system!?

 

[Aeacus]

Is that generally possible? And if so what potential pitfalls to watch out for?

Possible - yes but a bad idea.

When OS is installed, it is installed specifically for that system it is installed on. Drivers, firmware etc.

You, just porting the OS over, from initial build it was installed on, to any other build = BSoD, driver corruption, file corruption, poor system performance etc. Since the OS was not installed specifically for the system.

Also, you can not activate Win on another system.
If your idea was to install Win on one system, activate it and then move OS to another system without paying for another license, then you can not do that. Every different Windows build needs different activation key, that you need to pay for. You can't use the same key on multiple systems.

If you want to do that, better go with any GNU/Linux distro that costs €/$/£ 0.

For Win installation, create installation media on USB thumb drive and then install the Win in the target system.
Win10 installation guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/windows-10-clean-install-tutorial.3170366/
Win11 installation guide: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/windows-11-clean-install-tutorial.3831442/

 

[stuff and nonesense]

Hi,
I would like to keep using a PC while at the same time installing a brand new one on a couple of HD. Then move just the HD to the first system. That would be on a Windows 10 (or 11).

The first system would be MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK and Ryzen 9 3900X . The second I haven't decided yet but will be another Ryzen 9 (but different model) and a different motherboard (don't know yet).

Is that generally possible? And if so what potential pitfalls to watch out for?

Thank you

Transferring a boot drive between builds mostly works, try it when you have your updated rig. There can be problems, the only one I had was with Windows authentication, I called MS support as I had a retail copy (not OEM) which allowed for the transfer of the licence to a new build. All was good after the call. This was with Windows 10.

Prior to that I had windows 7 and had to install from fresh on a new build.

Even with Windows 10/11 it’s advisable to install windows from fresh and reinstall your programs onto the fresh windows install. There are fewer potential problems such as old drivers causing conflicts.

Transferring data drives (pictures, spreadsheets etc.) has no such problem. Just point the newly installed programs to their data files.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[TerryLaze]

Also windows works forever in trial mode, it used to stop working after 30 days but now you can use it forever, you just lose some personalization options and there is a watermark on screen.
Officially not allowed but also officially never enforced.
(Unless you are a business where there might be physical audits asking for receipts)

 

[geofelt]

Possible?,perhaps.
But not a good idea.
A new system using a HDD is a really bad idea. It should be a SSD.
Your current copy of the C drive windows is using chipset drivers that a different motherboard may not like.
If it is oem, you would need a new windows license.
Better to simply download the most current windows from MS for free and use it unactivated.

If you have so much stuff installed on the original pc, that is odious to reinstall, or if you can't find the original install source, then perhaps. But be prepared for issues.