I'm looking at getting an Intel NUC to replace a dying laptop (7 Pro, 32-bit). The NUC comes without any HHD, so no OS either. I'm wondering if I can just put in my laptop HHD (yes, it fits), and be up and running?
I run the laptop through a Toshiba Dynadock 3.0 to get an external monitor and 5.1 speakers, so I would think I'd have all the necessary drivers (I also have the 7 Pro disk, as I replaced Home Premium with it).
Perhaps you can Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap. Win7 Pro is retail?
I'm not looking to fix the laptop, I want to replace it (need USB 3.0 ports). And yes, the 7 Pro is retail.
Since OS is retail, I guess you can use the tutorial to change to NUC then. Make sure you backup your data just in case and worst you will have to clean install.
You can also SYSPREP but up to you which one to chose. Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer Read the warnings first though.
Ended up with more questions than answers, but thanks for the responses. Guess I'll just spend the money now for a SSD and x64.
You don't need to buy another x64.
Go to Microsoft Software Recovery and enter your Win7 Pro retail key, it will give you the option to download both x86 and x64 installation ISOs. Then you can burn to a DVD or create a bootable USB.
SSD is one of the best upgrades you can make.
Quote