I’m planning to replace the existing SSD within my Dell Optiplex pc. When I bought it, it came with an SSD that had a windows installation with pro license activated. Now, when I replace this with a new SSD, how do I transfer the license?
If you’re replacing, why not clone the old drive to the new and expand to fill?
I don’t think I have the equipment necessary to clone. This PC has only one m.2 slot. I’m guessing I need to get a M.2 to USB enclosure to clone right?
Not at all, Windows 10 and beyond identify your hardware composition, so as long as you don’t swap the mainboard, the license is automatically applied again upon internet connection (assuming you install the same windows version and do not enter another license key during installation). If you want to transfer your data though, get a cheap external USB HDD enclosure and use clonezilla to clone the drive. Edit: typos
As far as I know, Windows 10 licenses are on the motherboard/BIOS, so changing the harddrive should just work.
I have heard some talk about the license getting disabled if you switch some hardware in machines as it no longer can identify it as the same machine.
aha, thanks!
The system should activate itself if you only replace the disk.
But… if you ever need a license
use one of the activation scripts from massgravel on githu…I mean buy a new license on microsoft.com and enjoy your shiny, legally activated operaring system.…or just install Linux, if your use case allows you to do so
My (non-digital/non-microsoft account) windows pro license deactivated when I did ssd swap about a week ago (but I did a full bit copy then expanded the file system).
That was the moment I said fuck it and did a hwid activation.
The license is tied to the motherboard and hardware, so you don’t need to do anything to transfer it. Just make sure you install the same version (ie; 10 Pro) if doing a fresh install.
