Restoring profile from a seperate Windows 7 key

Hi there,

I am in the process of selling my PC with windows 7. I am planning on getting a separate serial key for my new build and want to be able to restore my profile and settings from my current PC.

Will I able to use my system image from this PC that I made a back of onto my external HDD and restore it onto my new PC with a new Windows 7 serial key? I currently have Home premium right now but my next build will likely have Pro if that makes any difference.

Not the greatest idea. Hardware differences will probably create compatibility issues. if the chipsets are not similar e.g., the drivers will not gel and will need to be reinstalled. Also, if you have an OEM install right now, activation on the new system could create issues. And a pro key will not work on a home premium install.

BTW, why go to such lengths? It takes me 3 hours to be up and running on a PC built from scratch. OTOH, restoring from the image that you are planning now could take much longer and a lot of headaches.

richc46 said:

To be sure that there are no problems a Windows Easy Transfer Would be the answer.

Windows 7 features - Windows Easy Transfer - Microsoft Windows

I used it going form Vista to Win 7 and it worked like a charm

Actually that is what I meant. If I use Windows Easy Transfer would I be able to restore my settings without any compatibility issues or am I better off reinstalling everything manually?

richc46 said:

Yes, I went from Vista to 7 and WET is really good, BUT as always back up the important stuff first, I think you know things can and do go wrong.

THat also what I used when I upgraded from Vista to W7. But if there will be errors and compatibility issues I'd rather just do everything manually.

Anybody else with input on this issue?

There is no reason why you cannot try reimaging the HD in your new machine with a Win7 backup image. I have done this a dozen or more times where it has worked. If Win7 will startup, it will swap out all drivers while requesting several restarts. There are no performance issues afterward that I've encountered.

A problem might be activating on the new hardware. If you were using the same HomePremium version license key, it would just require changing key at Control Panel>System to refresh Hardware Signature. Using a Pro key would require a Repair Install after making a Registry change to trick the installer into upgrading Home Premium to Pro, adapting the workaround given here: Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

All in all, complicated but doable. A clean install would be the best choice, though, unless you want to put it off for some reason: Clean Install Windows 7

gregrocker said:

There is no reason why you cannot try reimaging the HD in your new machine with a Win7 backup image. I have done this a dozen or more times where it has worked. If Win7 will startup, it will swap out all drivers while requesting several restarts. There are no performance issues afterward that I've encountered.

A problem might be activating on the new hardware. If you were using the same HomePremium version license key, it would just require changing key at Control Panel>System to refresh Hardware Signature. Using a Pro key would require a Repair Install after making a Registry change to trick the installer into upgrading Home Premium to Pro, adapting the workaround given here: Upgrade the Windows 7 RC to any retail version Icrontic Tech

All in all, complicated but doable. A clean install would be the best choice, though, unless you want to put it off for some reason: Clean Install Windows 7

Yes I am going to have to do a clean install anyways since I have no other OS. Windows easy transfer restores the complete profile after you install Windows 7. I guess I am just going to manually reinstall and reset everything to avoid any risk of complications.