Can same OS be installed on multiple drives?

There was an answer to this supplied by either Plodr or Mdonah on one of my previous threads. I have scanned through my threads but cannot find the particular post. So here it goes again.

I have a Windows 7 Professional OS disk that I originally purchased from Discount Mountain Software. I have it installed on an HDD in my tower. I want to buy a new SSD. I want to install the same OS - with the same KEY CODE as is currently on the HDD - onto the new SSD. Not a new machine - same machine / same motherboard. Is that possible? Will there be a licensing problem with Microsoft? Both the HDD and SSD will be in the tower at the same time. I do not want to be out of service on the tower while I am installing the OS and various software. So, thus, I want to be able to work on the HDD OS while it takes me maybe a week to install the OS onto the SSD. Yes, I know I will have to switch back and forth; but, I have accepted that fact.

Please advise.

Thanks,

Dekade

 

Re: SSD - OS and software both or only OS?

Put both the OS and the programs on the same SSD. After all, the programs need the OS to work. Alternatively, you could partition the SSD and put the OS on one partition and the programs on the other partition. Then you could clone the partition with the OS, including all the service packs, updates and .NET Frameworks. The programs can be re-installed.

 

If you have a retail copy of Windows, you can install it on a second drive. If there's an issue when activating, you might have to explain why the OS is on a new drive. And Microsoft will expect you to wipe the OS from the original drive. If you don't, and you try to get updates for the OS on the original drive, you will probably get a message that the OS is illegal.

 

Re: SSD - OS and software both or only OS?

Hey - Eldon 'ol buddy!

Thanks. I see where you are heading with that. So - the garbage I was trying to describe about the C Drive having the OS and then the partition drive (say - Drive H) has no bearing or worry?

Is Acronis still the desired cloning software of choice?

Curious, if a SSD or HDD goes down - it's too late to clone, correct? Thus a person will want to have a schedule set in place for keeping cloning up to date - right?

 

I guess I'll just have to battle that out with Microsoft. The problem will be that of Microsoft giving me the time to get it all done.

I suppose I could just keep getting that illegal notice until I get everything done couldn't I?

 

Re: SSD - OS and software both or only OS?

If you can afford it and you have a maxi tower case with adequate cooling, it's probably not a bad idea to have the OS on one SSD, and the programs on another, because SSDs are so fast. To me it's pointless because the capacities of SSDs are increasing. And as with HDDs, a 1TB SSD wont cost ten times the price of a 100GB SSD. And a 100GB SSD for only the OS is a waste. Partitioning is a free alternative.

Can't help you with Acronis. I have been using Paragon Drive Backup (and Paragon Partition Manager) since 2007.

Unfortunately, when a HDD crashes, it crashes. There are companies specializing in retrieving data from crashed HDDs but, they are all expensive. A scheduled backup is a must.

 

You have 30 days to activate Windows. Keep in mind, you probably wont get updates while Windows is not activated.

 

Re: SSD - OS and software both or only OS?

My 2p, I really can't see any point at all in installing your software on a separate drive or partition. The registry will always be on C and, unless you are an advanced user and know exactly what you need to do to change it, so will all the App Data.

There are several very capable and reliable free imaging programs available now so, unless you need all the bells and whistles provided by Acronis - incremental and differential imaging in particular - there is now no need to keep forking out for Acronis each year. My favorite is Macrium Reflect, but there are also Aomei Backupper and Easeus Todo.

 

Re: SSD - OS and software both or only OS?

In my OPINION, the ideal setup is to have the OS and software programs on an SSD, with data on a separate HD.

This will allow the benefits of performance/speed increases of SSD to the OS and the software programs, but the safety of all your user-created data & files on a separate "Data Drive", to be backed up regularly. In the event of catastrophic corruption of OS, simply reinstall OS to SSD with no worries about lost data. In the event of catastrophic corruption of Data Drive, simply restore backup to Data Drive and/or replace Data Drive, with no worries about OS on the SSD.

In my OPINION, this is the "sweet spot" of performance, reliability, & maintenance. FWIW...

 

Re: SSD - OS and software both or only OS?

That's what I always do and recommend too - makes for small system images and easier, more secure data backups. I could swear though that Dekade said that was how he had his data stored too, but cannot find it now.

 

AOMEI and EaseUS, as mentioned by Earthling, have some excellent free backup, partitioning and other programs available. There's also MiniTool.

http://www.minitool.ca/