How to transfer windows

[bigboi972]

Currently I am using windows 7 on my laptop. I am building a pc and wanna know how can I transfer my copy of windows along with the license of course with just a flash drive ?

 

[pbcopter]

If it is a retail copy of Windows 7, then yes it can be transferred.

If it is the OEM copy that was part of the laptop originally, then it can't be transferred.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Probably can't do that legally.

The laptop license is likely an OEM license, which means it is restricted to the laptop. Even if you got it transferred, you'd likely run into activation issues.

 

[SIW2]

US might be different from the EU. I have no idea if you can transfer it if you are in US.

You should be able to make an image ( depending on size) store it on flash. Restore to HD in new pc.

Aomei backupper, paragon backup and restore free, macrium free ., etc will all do the job.

After restoring image to new machine, you can run Paragon rescue kit 14 free bootable linux cd. Go to Boot corrector, and use make bootable on new hardware option.

Alternatively, you could sysprep your installation before imaging it

You will have a sticker on your current laptop with product key. It might work straight off to activate, if in doubt, ring MS on free phone number. You can find the number by typing slui 4 in start search box.

 

[bigboi972]

o sorry I forgot to mention its a legal retail copy not pre installed

 

[gregrocker]

If you own a retail copy you can migrate it to any PC you want. If Upgrade it needs a qualifying retail copy of XP or Vista which doesn't need to be installed.

Best to do a Clean Install Windows 7 but if you like the install you have and can migrate its retail license or plan to buy the same version license to replace an OEM license, you can Adjust Win7 to boot on new hardware with Paragon Adaptive Restore CD. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[SIW2]

This always amuses me.

Back in 1991 there was a European directive:

The first sale in the Community of a copy of a program by the rightholder or with his consent shall exhaust the distribution right

Andrew Katz of Moorcrofts Corporate Law, explained that under European law Microsoft has no right to stop you selling on any copy of Windows, including preinstalled versions.

It is quite funny:

In English, this means that once Microsoft has sold a copy of Windows anywhere in the European Union (actually the European Economic Area, but let's not quibble over another country or three), it has no control over how that copy is subsequently distributed...

Reading this, barrack room lawyers will be saying "Stop! Microsoft doesn't sell its software - it licenses it - so these rules don't apply". Bollocks.

The only way of reading this provision consistent with the "purposive" approach of interpreting European law is that "sale ... of a copy ... by the rightholder or with his consent" means "sale of a licensed copy". "Exhaust the distribution right of that copy" means "Prevent Microsoft having any control on how that copy is transferred from user to user".

 

[bigboi972]

do I have to delete windows off my old machine before transferring it will the license work if windows is still active on my old machine

 

[gregrocker]

Yes delete the old OS.

Is it a retail copy of Win7? Upgrade version?

 

[Kaktussoft]

US might be different from the EU. I have no idea if you can transfer it if you are in US.

You should be able to make an image ( depending on size) store it on flash. Restore to HD in new pc.

Aomei backupper, paragon backup and restore free, macrium free ., etc will all do the job.

After restoring image to new machine, you can run Paragon rescue kit 14 free bootable linux cd. Go to Boot corrector, and use make bootable on new hardware option.

Alternatively, you could sysprep your installation before imaging it

You will have a sticker on your current laptop with product key. It might work straight off to activate, if in doubt, ring MS on free phone number. You can find the number by typing slui 4 in start search box.

AS Far as I know "Paragon rescue kit 14 " has Boot Corrector. But that fixes the bcd and registry (pointers to the correct partitions). Most backup/restore software does that automagically, and otherwise "startup repair" will fix that.

 

[Kaktussoft]

do I have to delete windows off my old machine before transferring it will the license work if windows is still active on my old machine

Delete it after a succesfull transfer!

 

[Kaktussoft]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/292068-make-windows-7-bootable-after-motherboard-swap.html

 

[AddRAM]

What exactly do you mean by "can I transfer my copy of windows " ??

Do you expect to take the OS that`s installed on the hard drive in the laptop and put it on your desktop ? If so...... Why ???

Or do you want to install windows fresh on the desktop and use your retail key ?

I`m sure it`s just your wording that confuses me

Where is your retail Windows 7 DVD ?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

 

[essenbe]

You will always be better off doing a clean install of Windows, especially on new hardware. I believe everyone will agree with that. But you can transfer the OS, but you are taking a risk and may even be transferring some things you don't want to transfer. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

 

[bigboi972]

sorry for the confusion I am trying to do a clean install with a retail copy of windows. I just wanna know will I be able to activate that copy of windows on the new machine if its still on the old laptop thats all also is it possible to take the retail disk and make a boot able flash drive with it

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I just wanna know will I be able to activate that copy of windows on the new machine if its still on the old laptop thats all also is it possible to take the retail disk and make a boot able flash drive with it

I've reinstalled on a new hard drive connected to a new motherboard with a new CPU without ever "deactivating" or "uninstalling" from the old PC. I had no trouble activating the same retail license on the new hardware.

I suspect I would have run into trouble if I had then continued to use the old PC with the same license--particularly if I continued to get Windows Updates. I didn't do that. Instead, I installed Vista on the old PC and put it in the closet to be used only in an emergency.

I'm not sure how it works, but MS apparently has some sort of algorithm where it sniffs your PC. New hardware is generally tolerated without incident within reason if a retail license is found. I think the algorithm takes into account both the extent of the hardware changes and the frequency of the changes. You might have to activate by calling a number and interacting with a robotic voice or even possibly talking to a human at MS. I can't remember the exact details of the procedure that I once had to go through. I don't think I ever had to talk to a human.

As far as flash drives go, I think there is a way to transfer the contents of a retail DVD to a flash drive and make it bootable. Probably a tutorial on this site. You could also just download a legit Windows 7 ISO from Digital River and put it on a flash drive.

 

[AddRAM]

Yes, you can make an iso out of your dvd, but as ignatz has said, it`s so much easier to just download the iso file then put it on the flash drive.

You can use Imgburn to make the iso image from your dvd.

http://imgburn.com/index.php?act=download

I like using these 2 tools, they both work great.

WiNToBootic bootable usb drive windows vista/7/8 - Bootable USB | Bootable USB

or

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html