I've got a Windows 7 installation on a laptop with the OS, browser, file locations, and all installed apps just as I like it. Is there a way to take the whole thing over to a blank hard drive in a new build without having to do everything all over again item by item (install OS, install apps etc etc etc) which typically would literally take all day?
Have a look at this tutorial,
Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer
Pay close attention to the two warning boxes at the top.
If the OS on your laptop came preinstalled, meaning it's an OEM copy, you're out of luck since it can't be transferred to another computer.
Macrium is pretty popular here,
Image your system with free Macrium
Then you could use method two here,
Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer
Did the OS on your laptop come preinstalled?
you also run I to the relms of driver issues. all the drivers installed will not be compatible with thise of your new build pc. so youll have to go througj and install all the drivers ect.
its always best to do a fresh install.. it doesnt take long, and you wont be saddled with all the crapware and guff youve collected slowing the system down.
I format my pc ever few months, I have all the drivers loaded on a pen drive so the all instal within a few mins. and the software I want again probably takes a maximum of 20 minutes to install.
games and things I back up via steam/origin and they install in the back ground.
Quote