• New OS?
    4 replies, posted
[B]So im looking into a new pc build but im wondering if i need to buy a new OS due to the new hard drive or i can switch my OS from my current computer to my new PC and if so how?[/B]
It entirely depends on whether or not your existing OS install is an OEM, or a Retail copy. If it is a retail copy, then you will be able to install it on the new PC and simply reuse your old product key. If it's an OEM copy then you will need to buy a new OS for your new system.
If you want to use a different OS and you are a student with a .edu email, you can go to Microsoft Dreamspark, then find your school and see if you are able to download different versions of Windows for free. Otherwise, you should look into hard drive cloning software, I'm literally using one right now to copy over my hard drive to an SSD. You'll need a SATA to USB cable for your hard drive to complete the transfer (preferably using USB 3 or USB 3.1), or you if you can mount the your original drive and the new drive at the same time you don't need the cable.
[QUOTE=Gishank;48518179]It entirely depends on whether or not your existing OS install is an OEM, or a Retail copy. If it is a retail copy, then you will be able to install it on the new PC and simply reuse your old product key. If it's an OEM copy then you will need to buy a new OS for your new system.[/QUOTE] You can often get an OEM copy to work if when it denies activation, just call Microsoft's automated activation number.
[QUOTE=huntingrifle;48518211]Otherwise, you should look into hard drive cloning software, I'm literally using one right now to copy over my hard drive to an SSD. You'll need a SATA to USB cable for your hard drive to complete the transfer (preferably using USB 3 or USB 3.1), or you if you can mount the your original drive and the new drive at the same time you don't need the cable.[/QUOTE] Hiren's Boot CD ([URL="http://www.hirensbootcd.org/download/"]link[/URL]) does that w/ the 'PartedMagic' option. Just a note, if you're moving from a bigger HDD to a smaller HDD, it will whine about how it's not big enough.
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