Transferring my OS to new ssd.

[Chiefkage]

My OS on ssd is fulling the maximum space already, and i just wanna if i could transfer my whole OS to another new one? if yes then maybe may i know the full steps on it, so i could transfer it to new ssd i don't want fresh OS because i lost my activation key for this one.

Thnx

[Electric Cupcake]

Cloning/mirroring isn't too difficult.

Easiest way is to use a sata dock with a 1-button cloning function.

Slightly more advanced would be to boot to a live disk and use dd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmFuBiKtes0

[shiel]

You can easily find your windows product key on your PC. Google it.

[lsdninja]

You can use an imaging tool to clone your current SSD on to the new one fairly easily. In days gone by, I would have suggested the free version of Macrium Reflect, but that's been discontinued and I haven't looked at the state of things lately for a replacement. Once upon a time SSD makers provided such software, or at least codes for it in the box, but I haven't looked in to that lately, either.

One other thing, depending on what version of Windows you're dealing with and how you activated it, you don't really need the licence key anymore. For Windows 10 and up, activation is tied to either the motherboard or your MS account meaning as long as you keep the respective one consistent (MS account activations even let you transfer a licence to new hardware. The catch, of course, is the MS account requirement), you can keep activating Windows pretty much indefinitely.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

You don't need your OS Product Key anyways. If installing to same Motherboard again and again; it will self activate via online digital license.

You can view your WinOS Product Key (in the currently installed OS) by using PIRIFORM SPECCY. Load it up, click Operating System, where it says Serial Number; that is your current OS product key.

[PopinFRESH]

What size drive do you currently have?

Which OS are you talking about?

What size and type of drive are you wanting to upgrade to?

There are several cloning software, such as Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (True Image), which would allow you to clone your current SSD to a new larger one.

Secondly, If you are running Windows 10 or Windows 11 then as others have noted your license may be tied to your hardware and/or your Microsoft account.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes knowing both drive brands and size would help. Most brands offer a free version of Acronis for the purpose of doing just this very thing, cloning entire drive one to another so that replacing a smaller drive with a larger one is effortless.

[mtono]

i think "sysprep" hasnt been talked about, yet. i would choose this microsoft tool for cloning my operating system (windows).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/sysprep--generalize--a-windows-installation?view=windows-11

maybe have a look here:

https://youtu.be/4mxFxtcMoIc


my2ct.
byebye

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Publicado originalmente por secret_agent_man:

i think "sysprep" hasnt been talked about, yet. i would choose this microsoft tool for cloning my operating system (windows).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/sysprep--generalize--a-windows-installation?view=windows-11

maybe have a look here:

https://youtu.be/4mxFxtcMoIc


my2ct.
byebye

That's more for when a shop is setting up a PC for a client / customer and when done, the system would boot up as if the OS had just had a fresh install. It hides the fact that the builder has already used it before while the basic needed software, updates and drivers have already been done and installed. So when a customer boots up their new machine they are presented with a screen like a brand new PC to create their user and configure basic settings

[mtono]

Publicado originalmente por Bad 💀 Motha:

Publicado originalmente por secret_agent_man:

i think "sysprep" hasnt been talked about, yet. i would choose this microsoft tool for cloning my operating system (windows).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/sysprep--generalize--a-windows-installation?view=windows-11

maybe have a look here:

https://youtu.be/4mxFxtcMoIc


my2ct.
byebye

That's more for when a shop is setting up a PC for a client / customer and when done, the system would boot up as if the OS had just had a fresh install. It hides the fact that the builder has already used it before while the basic needed software, updates and drivers have already been done and installed. So when a customer boots up their new machine they are presented with a screen like a brand new PC to create their user and configure basic settings

hi,
all i wanted to say is, that cloning a windows installation is possible with sysprep. i dont think i am wrong. i have tried it. it works for me and i would choose sysprep again to clone my OS (c: drive). this is possible. period. i dont want to be offensive.
thx for reading

[Pocahawtness]

Publicado originalmente por egakfeihc:

My OS on ssd is fulling the maximum space already, and i just wanna if i could transfer my whole OS to another new one? if yes then maybe may i know the full steps on it, so i could transfer it to new ssd i don't want fresh OS because i lost my activation key for this one.

Thnx

Yes. Just clone it to the new drive.
Also, even if you do not have a Microsoft account, if you fresh install to a new drive, windows will recognise the PC and give you your key. Just select "enter later" and it will sort itself out. Just make sure you install the same product.

[mtono]

Publicado originalmente por Pirate☠️Pocah:

Publicado originalmente por egakfeihc:

My OS on ssd is fulling the maximum space already, and i just wanna if i could transfer my whole OS to another new one? if yes then maybe may i know the full steps on it, so i could transfer it to new ssd i don't want fresh OS because i lost my activation key for this one.

Thnx

Yes. Just clone it to the new drive.
Also, even if you do not have a Microsoft account, if you fresh install to a new drive, windows will recognise the PC and give you your key. Just select "enter later" and it will sort itself out. Just make sure you install the same product.

thumbs up!!!

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yes you can install Windows to as many drives as you want as many times as you want. It looks at the Motherboard. Booting to only one drive means that OS is only being used Online as one instance at any given time. If you've already activated Win10 or 11 on that Motherboard the OS will auto retrieve the digital license from Microsoft servers without your input after OS install