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Reinstalling Windows 7 on another HD

N

Noran

n00b
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
21
I'm looking to upgrade to an SSD. I'd like to have Windows 7 on the SSD instead, then format my current drive and have it as a secondary drive. Would I be able to do this without invalidating my original copy of Windows?
 
Re-installation on a different drive should not cause an issue. There is a limit to the number of times it can be done, but it is high enough not to cause problems.
 
one thing you can do is a complete system image backup from within windows 7(just type backup in the start menu) and select only the windows files/programs/stuff you need to an external hdd. then boot off of the recovery disk it asks u to make and select restore from image and restore ur image to the ssd. and then change ur boot sequence in bios to boot off of ssd, then wipe ur old drive.

what should work is using symantec ghost, or Acronis True Image HDto copy images from one to another limited by size. can also find free software just for cloning.

but if you want to just reinstall windows the old way then yeah its not illegal, the key is yours to use on your machine however many times you need to reinstall it. just dont leak your key.
 
Do a clean install. You are fine. The only thing that might happen, which shouldn't with just a hdd upgrade, is it won't activate over the internet. In that case you call MS and they give you an activation key.
 
I've done several reinstalls/clean installs on this PC, the last one as a result of going from an IDE drive to SATA drive. Activated online without any problems. I've done 4 or 5 reinstalls with the same product code on this PC without ever having to call Microsoft to activate. Windows 7 Home Premium x64 OEM.
 
Awesome, I'd imagine the jump from a sata HD to SSD will be insane. Thanks!
 
How would it know you're not just using the same disc to install it on multiple computers and avoid buying multiple licenes?
 
Krycek1 said:
How would it know you're not just using the same disc to install it on multiple computers and avoid buying multiple licenes?
Click to expand...

A signature of your hardware is saved on the Microsoft activation server when you activate. The next time you try to activate with the same product code it compares the signature on the server to the signature of the hardware on the PC your trying to activate on. They don't have to be a perfect match, as the case would be if you upgraded a component, but Microsoft can tell if its a different PC and block activation. Thats a cliffs notes version, but I think you get the idea.
 
I assume a restore from my WHS backup would give the same result? I am upgrading to an SSD and don't really want to reinstall everything.

Thanks.
 
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