ByCCTFLIX
Hi, if I get a new PC, can I simply install the hard drive with Windows on it into the new one and then have Windows on it, or is it stored on other hardware components? How should I go about it?
Thanks
(1 votes)
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Hello
If you install a hard drive from a PC into another PC or connect to another motherboard, then it is quite possible to start an existing Windows installation on the new hardware as well. That works is not guaranteed, but at least it would be possible. Only the boot order must be reset in the BIOS/UEFI.
If an existing Windows installation on a new motherboard does not start or starts at all. again and again only the BIOS is opened, then it could be because the Windows was installed on an MBR disk and the BIOS/UEFI of the motherboard is set to UEFI boot. In UFEI boot mode, however, only GPT disks can be started. Launching MBR disks only goes in Legacy Boot mode. The CSM must be activated in the BIOS/UEFI, if the BIOS/UEFI still offers this function. There are already mainboards that can only start in the UEFI boot mode. With active CSM, Windows should also start from an MBR disk again.
To enable CSM, the Trusted Mode must be terminated. Secure Boot and TPM must be disabled. After saving and restarting, CSM or Legacy Boot Mode should be enabled if the BIOS/UEFI still offers this option.
It could of course also be the reverse case, namely if the starting of an existing Windows installation does not work in legacy (CSM) mode, then it could also be that Windows is already on a GPT disk, so that the UEFI boot mode must be used, i.e. without CSM.
If Windows should start again on the new motherboard, it also has to drive up completely without errors. As I said, this is only possible but not guaranteed. If Windows starts error-free, then you only need to install missing drivers for the new hardware and then you are already almost through the action. There will be another Windows activation, because of hardware change, but I can do so.
If Windows does not want to start the new hardware, possibly because CSM is no longer available in BIOS/UEFI, so that the legacy boot mode can no longer be activated, then only a complete Windows reinstall remains. For a new installation, a bootable Windows installation medium is required, which can be created, for example, with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, on another functional Windows PC. With the created Windows installation medium boot the computer and follow the Windows setup. During installation, it is best to delete and re-create all partitions on the system disk or to automatically re-create Windows Setup. Of course, all data is lost in the affected partitions!
But even if an existing Windows installation moves up error-free on the new hardware, but even if Windows is reinstalled on the new hardware, it is then deactivated, because the activation of the installed Windows was only related to the mainboard on which the Windows license was activated. With this motherboard, the Windows license, on the Microsoft activation servers, is still linked. Therefore, Windows must be reactivated or reactivated on other hardware, especially the motherboard.
To enable Windows on the new motherboard or on the new PC, you need the original license key. Reading the same usually does not help anymore, as when a Windows 10/11 license is first activated, it is converted into a digital license. The same also happens with an activated Windows 7/8 license when upgraded to Windows 10/11. The digital license is then linked to information from the motherboard and stored on the Microsoft activation server. The digital license is then used to automatically activate Windows 10/11, after a new installation, on the same motherboard. The digital license has been linked to the motherboard. When converting into a digital license, however, only one generic key is stored in the Windows Registry, as a placeholder, which can be read but is not valid for a renewed activation.
Generic Windows 10/11 Keys:
Windows 10/11 Home: YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7
Windows 10/11 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Windows 10 S (only until Windows 10 1803): 3NF4D-GF9GY-63VKH-QRC3V-7QW8P
These are not valid activation keys, which are only placeholders in the Windows Registry. If such a “space holder” is read out, it cannot be used for a renewed activation. The public description is therefore not illegal!
It’s just a small selection. Since there are even more Windows 10/11 versions, especially with volume licenses, and therefore there are also more of these generic keys. The selection represents only the generic keys for the most common Windows versions in the private sector.
See also here:
https://www.heise.de/tipps-tricks/Windows-10-Product-Key-read-and-activate-error-4030353.html
https://www.deskmodder.de/wiki/index.php/Seriennummern_Key_generischer_Schl%C3%BCssel_Windows_10
https://www.deskmodder.de/wiki/index.php?title=Windows_11_Key_generic_Seriennummer_f%C3%BCr_die_Installation_und_activation
Either you have the original license key or you need to link the old activation to a Microsoft account. You can also change the enabled license to new hardware. However, this must be done on the computer or on the motherboard on which the Windows license is activated. And even if you use a Microsoft account, you need to manually connect the digital license to the Microsoft account that does not happen automatically, only by using a Microsoft account, except that the Microsoft account was also used for the first time activating the license.
https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/windows-activate-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227#WindowsVersion=Windows_10
If or if the activated license is already linked to a Microsoft account, you can also reactivate Windows directly on the new motherboard.
https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/reactivate-von-windows-10-nach%C3%A4change-der-hardware-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665#ID0EBD=Windows_10
That’s what’s described again. Otherwise, you need a new Windows license and the old license remains linked to the old motherboard and will probably stay it. If you want to pass on the old hardware, the new owner of your old hardware can look forward to giving it the Windows license with the old motherboard or with the old PC.
By moving the Windows license to new hardware, the license for the old PC, or for the old motherboard, is invalid as a Windows license at the same time can only be used on a single PC. The license may continue from PC to PC, only at the same time it may only be activated and used on a computer.
Additional reference for the CSM or Legacy Boot Mode:
This should usually be of interest only to Windows 10 users, as Windows 11 actually runs standard in UEFI Boot Mode, except Windows 11 has been installed with tricks on not 100% compatible hardware, without Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 and on a MBR disk, then this could also be interesting for Windows 11 users.
Since Secure Boot cannot be activated in legacy mode (CSM), upgrade to Windows 11 is not possible. For this, the UEFI boot mode must be used, so without CSM and then the partitioning of the boot data carrier must be changed from MBR to GPT. However, Windows must be completely reinstalled in (U)EFI mode. Attention, all data on the target disk are lost or deleted. So back up data! Then boot the computer with a Windows installation medium in (U)EFI mode, so disable CSM. Starting the setup from the desktop is not enough in the case. This would only use the upgrade function of Windows. However, you need to reinstall Windows completely and re-particulate the hard disk so that it is switched to GPT and this is only done with a complete reinstall. Then, during Windows setup, delete all partitions, on the disk on which Windows is to be installed and then re-create the partitions. The GPT is automatically used when the Windows Setup has been booted in (U)EFI mode. Then you can install Windows in (U)EFI mode with active Secure Boot.
There is still the possibility to convert the data carrier in operation:
https://docs.microsoft.com/de-de/windows-server/storage/disk management/change-an-mbr-disk-into-a-gpt-disk
https://docs.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/deployment/mbr-to-gpt
After conversion, the system is no longer bootable in legacy mode, only in (U)EFI mode. Therefore, after conversion, the BIOS/UEFI from Legacy (CSM) has to be converted to (U)EFI boot so that the computer starts again. However, during the conversion nothing should go wrong, otherwise it was with the data and installed programs. So always secure data!
mfG computer tomb
Theoretically yes;
what does not work if the graphics card driver does not fit the new PC or an AMD processor was installed before and now INTEL is available.
I’ve always made the effort to reinstall and reinstall WINDOWS in this way and from the then functioning and configured system made a complete BACKUP.
Hello, CCTFLIX.
In short: NO – that does NOT work.
This is due to the so-called hardware abstraction layer [HAL] (see https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardwareabstraction layer )
As my previous speaker has written correctly, if you use other hardware and your Windows bootes with error code into a so-called bluescreen.
Alternative: (if Windows 10/11 with online account use) that works without problems about the internal Microsoft Backup app (see https://support.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/safen-ihre-windows-pcs-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338 )
Greeting Carsten.
If you could do, I would recommend Abe enciphered. Windows adapts to hardware during installation if you simply pack the hard drive one another system which is not almost the same that leads to instability
Unauthorised
Is that so? I would say that a Windows that has been running on Intel and Nvidia for years and suddenly comes to a pure AMD system can have some problems
That was the case with Windows 7. Since Windows 10, this is no longer a problem.
Yep.
Because you are recovering framework conditions that are not present.
While Intel also manufactures processors, Nvidia is the developer ofGraphic processorsandChipsforPersonal computers,ServerandGame consoles. and does not produce itself. No processors or boards at all.
In addition, the questioner has never claimed that he has used the system for years. He also did not say that he will now use a board with an AMD processor.
This is basically possible, but a few things have to be considered beforehand. If the newer PC is one from 2020 and the old PC’s plate is still pre-marized with MBR, then you must first convert the plate to GPT within the old system. From 2020 there is no MBR anymore and the PC cannot recognize the plate.
Windows offers a tool.
After that, the plate is no longer recognized in the old system.
In the new system, it should start normally. Then install the drivers to the motherboard first. Evtl. must reactivate the Windows.
Also, it can happen that after rebuilding, Windows suddenly does not recognize the processor. Then the BIOS must be upgraded.
There is information in the WEB.
That’s how it works. Build FP from old PC, install in new PC, and start computer. Windows will then be adapted to the new PC.
As a recommendation, however, I would rather make a backup of the system to an external FP and create a recovery CD.
With this combination you can transfer Windows to the new PC.
If we talk about Windows 10 or later, then CAN that work.
Compared with older versions, the operating system is significantly more stable here.
It is also important that your Windows license gives such a change – what NOT Standard is.