Windows 7: Cloning Windows 10

CJW · 24 Oct 2017

I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction w/this question.
I have 2 hard drives:
Drive A: Windows 7 Pro 64Bit connected to my mobo & running ok.
Drive B: Windows 10 Pro 64Bit downloaded during the free upgrade period, but not connected to the mobo at this time.

I need to format Drive B & put it into my son's computer (his hard drive died); but 1st, how should I go about cloning Drive B since the Free Upgrade period has long expired?

fireberd · 24 Oct 2017

Since you downloaded the free Win 10 but never connected it to the motherboard and activated it, it may be too late, just guessing, best to ask this on our sister Win 10 forum Windows 10 Forums

Cloning is a hit or miss situation - works for some and not others. For that reason I only recommend making a "disc image" (backup of the entire drive) to another drive with a program such as Macruim Reflect (there is a free version available).

Digital Life · 24 Oct 2017

If you installed Windows 10 on that computer and it was activated rest assured that anytime in the future if you install Win 10 again on that motherboard it will activate again online with Microsoft's servers.

If it was me I would probably boot into that drive and make sure it is activated. I would not waste my time updating it since you are going to erase it.

I also would not waste my time cloning it either, But if you really want too you should search 7 forums for cloning software called " Macrium Reflect Free " Most forum users highly recommend it.

If you have some documents or files you need to save just copy them instead of a clone, It will save you gig's

CJW · 24 Oct 2017

It's activated. I just disconnected it afterwards because I was sticking w/7 for awhile.
I'll check it, probably won't need cloning; but I'll look into Macrium Reflect Free anyway. Thanks.

If I don't clone it, I'll need to use my Windows 10 disc image I made back on 7/28/16 using 10's Media Creation Tool I 1st downloaded also on 7/28/16, correct?

SIW2 · 24 Oct 2017

For your future imaging needs, there are several programs available.

Aomei and macrium are popular - Aomei the simplest to use and has additional features in the free version.

Sometimes there are giveaways of Pro versions. For example O&O Diskimage 11 pro is currently on giveaway - lots of features and functions.

SIW2 · 24 Oct 2017

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ThrashZone · 26 Oct 2017

Hi,
It doesn't matter just enter the win-7 or 8.1 key and 10 will activate.

CJW · 28 Oct 2017

As seen in my attached screenshot, 10 is activated. I checked all 3 (System, Update & Security & through the Command Prompt) just to make absolutely sure.

Going through the Command Prompt, it states "The machine is permanently activated." Does this mean I can reinstall onto a different hard drive (in the same computer) using my Windows 10 disc image I made back on 7/28/16 w/o any problems?

Digital Life · 29 Oct 2017

Yes you can but I would not use that version, Windows 10 has gone threw several major updates since then (2 or 3 ?) I would download a newer version now if you plan on doing it soon, If your going to do this more than 6 months from now I would download that version.

CJW · 03 Nov 2017

Quote: Originally Posted by sml156

Yes you can but I would not use that version,

If I use the newest version, will I still be able to turn off much of the privacy gathering settings & automatic updates that Microsoft forces us to accept by using Windows?