How To Transfer Windows 10 To A New Hardrive

Greetings Geeks -

Planning ahead here . . .

I have another thread in the hardware forum here:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?threads/stuck-in-windows-10-repair-mode.316007/

If I can't get that resolved, I will have to reinstall Windows on a new hard drive. So, my question is can I transfer my license from an old hard drive to a new one? As explained in my thread, I believe I have encountered a faulty boot sector that Windows cannot repair despite my Herculean efforts. The version of Windows 10 currently installed was one that was forced upon me overnight that I discovered the following morning. I was hoping to avoid buying a new version. From what I understand I can do that - but how? For reference, I can access the drive through Safe Boot and the command prompt. The motherboard and everything else will be the original, the only component I will be replacing is a faulty hard drive.

Thanks for any help.

 

As long as you sign in with a Microsoft account, there shouldn't be any issues with activation for the new hard drive. If you use a local account, you MAY need to contact Microsoft.

 

Sorry, but I don't know what you mean by "sign in with a Microsoft account." Also, how would I get Windows 10 to a new drive? Can it be migrated? Mind you I have it installed on my old drive it just won't boot.

Thanks for replying.

 

As well as the previous way of signing in/logging on to your computer, now called a local account, in Win 10 you can optionally sign in to your comp with a Microsoft account which opens up OneDrive, Outlook.com and all the other MS online services shown HERE as well as logging you in to your computer. When you use a Microsoft account your computer's hardware is uniquely identified and the info stored in your account and when you reinstall it is this info that is used to confirm that you are reinstalling to the same computer. Win 10 can be downloaded HERE and you just have to burn the ISO to DVD. I just don't know how you get round this activation issue in circumstances where you have had Win 10 previously but never used a MS account. You would have to talk to them about that.

I don't think there would be much point in copying your old install to a new drive as it's faulty, but if you still want to do so then you need to clone or image the drive to a new drive, HDD or SSD. Plenty of help available here for that.

 

As Earthling said, copying/cloning your old drive to the new one would be a waste of time and effort because you'd still have your problems with the boot sectors. Best to do a clean install.

And because you've been signing in locally instead of with a MS account, more than likely you'll need to contact MS and speak with a representative to activate Windows 10. Explain to the rep that you had received Windows 10 via the free upgrade and had to replace the hard drive.

 

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. It seems with tons of blood, sweat, and tears, and MajorGeek help I have conquered the gremlins! Hooorayyy for MajorGeeks!