Building New Pc, Using The Same Hard Drive

Hey everyone.

I'm running windows 7. I was just wondering if I were to put my hard drive into a new PC, would it still boot up okay and run? Thanks

 

If it's the same interface (SATA/PATA) and same size (2.5"/3.5") it should boot. The problem would be activating Windows on the new build because machines were changed.

 

Ah, so if I have the key, then I should be able to activate it right?

 

If you are putting the hard drive in a completely new machine (motherboard, CPU, RAM) it may not boot with the old drive. You can try it, but all the installed drivers for the base hardware will be incorrect and Windows will have to install the new ones. It kind of depends on how much of a leap there is between your old hardware and the new.

For the purposes of hardware mapping, a clean install on a new machine is preferable.

 

No. The Key from your old machine is tied to that machine. You'd need to purchase another key for the new machine. They are available for anywhere from $40 — $55.

 

This is actually what I intended to do. Backup my information, move the hard drive. Regardless of if it boots or not I was going to wipe it, reinstall, then upgrade to windows 10.

 

Many people, including myself, had problems going the upgrade route with Windows 10. You'd be better off doing a clean install of Windows 10 and purchasing a Key for it again for around $55. You could use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 10 ISO/USB.

 

As of November 18th (2015), the build of Windows 10 will activate using your Windows 7 key (I have done it several times!) If you use the Media Creation Tool, it will include that update and install just fine. Use the Download tool now button: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

 

He's doing it on a new system build. His key from his other machine won't work without telephone activation and talking to an MS rep not the automated system.