Switching HDD on laptop - do I need to 'deactivate' the Windows licence on the old HDD? And which ISO do I download?

[FryderykChopin]

Hello!

I understand this questions in some way might have been discussed before but I'm not very 'technical' type so I'd rather ask directly:

Since my old HDD is dying, I'm going to replace it with SSD. I figured that to install the Windows on my new SSD, I'm going to need to have some ISO which I place on my DVD-R. However, since the laptop came with pre-installed Windows 7, Microsoft doesn't let me download it. That's why I decided to get HeiDoc which lets me download the W7 ISO, however there're multiple W7 versions to choose from:

So:

1) which of these versions do I need to download? The normal or the OEM one?

2)will the W7 code from laptop sticker work for the installation if I have Windows 7 on my old HDD? (even though I'm not going to use it anymore?)

Thank you very much for any advice.
~Cheers

 

[Saga Lout]

It's much easier to clone the existing system on to the SSD. That way you get all your programmes and personal files without having to install programmes and transfer over all your data.

You also get to put the old disk in a fireproof box and use it for future backups. When you start to run out of space on that disk, you can delete Windows and Programme Files to free up some more storage.

I do this a lot for customers and I use Acronis True Image but that's a paid-for product. There are lots of free ones but one I hear good things about is Macrium Reflect. Whichever you choose, make sure you only download from the developers own website. CNet and many others come with added malware.

You also need to buy a caddy with a three ended cable to connect the new drive via USB. When the process completes, remove the old disk and install the new before booting the new system for the first time.

 

[FryderykChopin]

Hello! Thanks, but I've picked rather small SSD, and also I'm switching because the old one is dying (it has some faulty sectors), so I've decided to pick clean install. Would the code be a problem then?

 

[Saga Lout]

No there won't be any problems so long as you can see the precise version of Windows and get the identical ISO from the Microsoft website. A kind of tattoo in your laptop will show you are entitled to reinstall.

You can either burn the ISO to a DVD or use a utility named Rufus to make a USB stick bootable and add the Windows ISO to that stick.

 

[FryderykChopin]

Thank you... Though the problem is that Windows for some reason doesn't let people download the ISO if they have OEM licence... That's where comes the (1) question - I found this: https://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325/

But there's only one, general version for Home Premium x64. Is it going to work even though I have OEM licence?

 

[FryderykChopin]

/bump... Anyone knows which W7 HP version do I need to download if I have OEM licence?

 

[Saga Lout]

If your laptop manufacturer won't give or sell you a recovery disk, you'll need to buy a new Windows licence.

That said, when you go for a download, it has to be the version you had before and that's 95% certain to havebeen Home Premium. Go straight to Windows 10 Home Premium - they won't let you have 7 because it's old hat now.

The download site has no way of seeing what you had before because you aren't using the same machine. You get to find out if you're legitimate when installation is done and you're connected to the Net. Activation is automatic and if you fail that, you have to buy a licence.

 

[FryderykChopin]

"If your laptop manufacturer won't give or sell you a recovery disk, you'll need to buy a new Windows licence."

Wait what? So how is it? I'm trying to get a new hard drive and get a clean install, is that possible with the licence I have on the back of my laptop or not?

 

[Saga Lout]

Yes, subject to what I described above about it being the same version you had before.

 

[nimbah_52]

"If your laptop manufacturer won't give or sell you a recovery disk, you'll need to buy a new Windows licence."

Wait what? So how is it? I'm trying to get a new hard drive and get a clean install, is that possible with the licence I have on the back of my laptop or not?

There should be a COA sticker on the bottom of your laptop somwhere with the license key. Only from Windows 8 did Microsoft start encoding the licensense key in the BIOS afaik.

If you find the key and want to stick with Windows 7 then download the ISO from a 3rd party source or torrent site. Go for a download with a high reputation to be safe. Install and use the key from earlier. Your version is most likely Home Premium as Saga mentioned.

Or you can upgrade to Win 10 for free via this link https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/accessibility/windows10upgrade & attach the license to a microsoft account for when you switch out to the SSD.

 

[Saga Lout]

I was with right up to the bit about a torrent site, nimbah_52, and the rest of your post after that bit was bang on the point.