Windows 7: Can I move Win 7 from my current pc to another

Hi there,

Firstly, I apologise for the inconvenience caused to the mod because I am sure this is posted in the wrong section and it will be moved. So, sorry in advance!

I am sure this has come up before but I am still a little confused! I have a laptop that I bought from a highstreet shop that came with win 7 already installed. It didn't come with the disks or anything though. Now, I am probably going to buy another laptop and was wondering if there was anyway to move the OS over? I will be moving the HDDs across from one laptop to another, will I just be able to boot from the primary HDD that has the OS on it?

Any help would be much appreciated.



Music Guy

Generally, that depends on the type of license.

Will the new laptop have Windows installed when it arrives? Is it a new laptop?

What exact type of Windows license do you have on the old laptop?

Well, I am getting a custom built laptop from a company in the UK. I am sending of one of my HDDs or delivering it so that it can be put in and tested. It has win 7 already on it from my current laptop. I am afraid I don't know what you mean by the exact type of windows license! Sorry for being a noob! Also, thank you very much for helping, it is much appreciated!

You say your current laptop came with no disks?? Of ANY type whatsoever?

That's highly unorthodox and would make me suspicious of it.

Having said that, in all likelihood you do NOT currently have a "retail" Windows license. A retail license can be moved from laptop to laptop at will, albeit only on ONE laptop at a time.


Or the existing laptop could have an "OEM" license. OEM licenses are legally restricted to the original hardware and cannot be transferred.

Or you could have an illegal version to begin with. Anytime you buy a laptop without discs, who knows what you have?

Did the firm from which you are buying the new laptop say nothing at all about Windows licensing, OEM, retail, or any of this? They no doubt know you legally need a new license if you do not currently have a retail license, but I wonder if they said a word? Are they possibly dodgy?

If the laptop came without discs, then if it was a legit license, you should have an app or utility to make recovery discs. What brand laptop is it?

There is a tutorial on it, Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer .

But you are to take some cautions ....

My system specs are below, it is a packard bell laptop that came with the OS already on it. I got it from Currys which will be all legal. The company I am about to get a laptop of is PCSpecialist. They are a very good company and all legal. There is a product key at the bottom of my laptop if that is any help. I don't have time now but when I get a moment, I will have a look at that thread, thank you very much for the help so far everyone, + reppies!

In all likelihood, you have an OEM license, tied to the Packard Bell hardware.

I have no idea what PC Specialist intends to do with your Packard Bell hard drive, but I would certainly ask so I knew what I supposedly had on the day of delivery.

I have heard of system builder company's letting you provide your own hard drive to cut down on costs, especially given what's going on with the HDD market.

That being said, you probably do have an OEM license, which can't technically be moved to another computer. You will probably want to look into getting a new license. However, if your Packard Bell has a license sticker on it, you can download a disc for that particular version, and get a new HDD for your old laptop.....thus turning into a working, legit machine for your use or for sale.

Windows 7 Digital River direct links: Multiple Languages; X86 & X64 - Page 60

Ok then, so I would have to buy another os ! For the company, I trust PC Specialist. They are a brilliant company. They provide very good priced laptops, desktops and others with very good quality parts. However, their best part is their customer service. When you ring them you talk to the guys who actually build the PCs, not some funny call centre in the East. Also, when you buy a pc from them, you can change the hardware without it effecting your warranty as long as you don't damage other parts by what you are doing. They are well worth a search, however, most of you guys will be in America and they don't ship outside the EU. Also, in America parts are cheaper so you will find better prices over there.

Yes, I do have a sticker with a product key and windows logo on it. Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

@Arc, I have just read your link but have one problem. If windows doesn't accept my product key, what do I do? Something about ringing ms was mentioned. Does this still apply if you are in the UK? What do you ring for, ask for another product key?