How do I use my W7 discs with new SSD?

StupidDude · 05 Apr 2013

I ordered an SSD and when it gets here I have chosen this as an opportune time to install my OS from scratch. I bought the W7 discs and used them on my current HD. But I have heard that you cannot install the OS another drive, because Microsoft puts a limit on it. But I have also heard that you can transfer use of the OS, just not use the same disc with two different computers.

Is there anything I need to do other than load my discs up with my new SSD?

Guys I know my wording is so epically bad, I really do not know how to word this correctly. In the end I just don't want to spend hours installing my W7 discs on my new SSD only to have them tell me I need to somehow transfer ownership to it from the old HD.

Gary · 05 Apr 2013

It is the same machine, do not worry about it. I have done it many times. It will activate.

kingscurate · 05 Apr 2013

Agreed, as long as the mobo and cpu stay the same you can reinstall as many times you want. If you had a retail version of win 7,that can be transferred to new hardware but can only be used on 1 PC.

AddRAM · 05 Apr 2013

1 pc at a time.

You install windows on the ssd the same way you install it on the hdd, just boot from your dvd.

SSD Alignment

and you can transfer windows from the hard drive to the ssd.

SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System

But I think it`s best to do a clean install.

Clean Install Windows 7

If you do that make sure only the ssd is plugged in.

StupidDude · 05 Apr 2013

AddRAM said:

But I think it`s best to do a clean install.

Clean Install Windows 7

If you do that make sure only the ssd is plugged in.

Yes, I like the idea of a fresh start. Can anyone tell me, if I remove the HD, can any CSI wann-be-hacker have the ability to recover any data on my PC? are there any storage areas I am clueless about that my passwords, internet history show up in?

AddRAM · 05 Apr 2013

Not if you remove the hard drive. That`s all that can contain info, everything else is volatile.

essenbe · 05 Apr 2013

There's no problem to doing a clean install to another hard drive then activating it. I did it last night. Just be sure your sata controller in bios is set to AHCI mode and the ssd is the only drive connected during the install. Then re connect the other drives and change the boot order in bios. I would download my drivers from your motherboard's manufacturers site first and put them on a CD or USB thumb drive. After the install is complete, you can get any data you want from your old disk, then wipe it clean with diskpart (Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command). You can then use it as a data drive, storage drive or buy an external enclosure or dock for an external drive. To save space on the SSD, most of us put user folders on another drive User Folders - Change Default Location