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?
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
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.
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).
Let’s just say I didn’t buy a new license after that.
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
This is the correct answer. Dell, and other oems, have stored their windows keys in firmware on motherboards for years now. You could literally install on a fresh drive and it should auto activate. Typically at most you have to go to click activate yourself.
This is all assuming the machine came with a pro license and wasn’t upgraded of course. It should have a sticker on it.
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?
If you install fresh using a USB created by the Media Creation Tool, there is one detail you’ll need to know. The install/OOBE setup will still prompt you to enter a key and activate. Just tell it to skip for now/activate later. Once it finishes and goes online, it will activate automatically.
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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
thank you!
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 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.
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).
Let’s just say I didn’t buy a new license after that.
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
There are a ton of $29 license sites out there as well. Yes, it’s grey market, but it’s not like anyone has gotten support from MS anyway.
This is the correct answer. Dell, and other oems, have stored their windows keys in firmware on motherboards for years now. You could literally install on a fresh drive and it should auto activate. Typically at most you have to go to click activate yourself.
This is all assuming the machine came with a pro license and wasn’t upgraded of course. It should have a sticker on it.
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?
Just in case it doesn’t carry over, run this first to get your Windows Pro key: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
How new is the optiplex? If it shipped with windows 8.0 or newer then the key is embedded in the bios and there is no transferring of the key.
If it shipped with windows 7 then just activate it like normal over the phone and it should work.
If you install fresh using a USB created by the Media Creation Tool, there is one detail you’ll need to know. The install/OOBE setup will still prompt you to enter a key and activate. Just tell it to skip for now/activate later. Once it finishes and goes online, it will activate automatically.