Solved transfer OS and everything to new build?

[shokan2]

I've got a Windows 7 installation on a laptop with the OS, browser, file locations, and all installed apps just as I like it. Is there a way to take the whole thing over to a blank hard drive in a new build without having to do everything all over again item by item (install OS, install apps etc etc etc) which typically would literally take all day?

 

[derekimo]

Have a look at this tutorial,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Pay close attention to the two warning boxes at the top.

If the OS on your laptop came preinstalled, meaning it's an OEM copy, you're out of luck since it can't be transferred to another computer.

 

[shokan2]

Have a look at this tutorial,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Pay close attention to the two warning boxes at the top.

If the OS on your laptop came preinstalled, meaning it's an OEM copy, you're out of luck since it can't be transferred to another computer.

This is great information. By any chance, is there a commercially available software that will automate this same process (ie. make simpler-I'm no wiz), such as some type of imaging application?

 

[derekimo]

Macrium is pretty popular here,

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html

Then you could use method two here,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Did the OS on your laptop come preinstalled?

 

[shokan2]

Macrium is pretty popular here,

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium.html

Then you could use method two here,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Did the OS on your laptop come preinstalled?

No. I did a fresh install from Windows disc.

 

[derekimo]

So you bought a retail copy?

 

[shokan2]

So you bought a retail copy?

Yes.

 

[derekimo]

You should be good with the info above then.

 

[badger906]

you also run I to the relms of driver issues. all the drivers installed will not be compatible with thise of your new build pc. so youll have to go througj and install all the drivers ect.

its always best to do a fresh install.. it doesnt take long, and you wont be saddled with all the crapware and guff youve collected slowing the system down.

I format my pc ever few months, I have all the drivers loaded on a pen drive so the all instal within a few mins. and the software I want again probably takes a maximum of 20 minutes to install.

games and things I back up via steam/origin and they install in the back ground.

 

[shokan2]

you also run I to the relms of driver issues. all the drivers installed will not be compatible with thise of your new build pc. so youll have to go througj and install all the drivers ect.

its always best to do a fresh install.. it doesnt take long, and you wont be saddled with all the crapware and guff youve collected slowing the system down.

I format my pc ever few months, I have all the drivers loaded on a pen drive so the all instal within a few mins. and the software I want again probably takes a maximum of 20 minutes to install.

games and things I back up via steam/origin and they install in the back ground.

Glad you said this. I think you're right and that's the way I I'm going to go. Thanks for the replies.

 

[derekimo]

you also run I to the relms of driver issues. all the drivers installed will not be compatible with thise of your new build pc. so youll have to go througj and install all the drivers ect.

its always best to do a fresh install.. it doesnt take long, and you wont be saddled with all the crapware and guff youve collected slowing the system down.

I format my pc ever few months, I have all the drivers loaded on a pen drive so the all instal within a few mins. and the software I want again probably takes a maximum of 20 minutes to install.

games and things I back up via steam/origin and they install in the back ground.

Glad you said this. I think you're right and that's the way I I'm going to go. Thanks for the replies.

That's probably the way to go. Just to clarify though, the sysprep method in that tutorial is specifically for avoiding the hardware and driver conflicts that would normally occur.

 

[The Nude Dude]

Have a look at this tutorial,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Pay close attention to the two warning boxes at the top.

If the OS on your laptop came preinstalled, meaning it's an OEM copy, you're out of luck since it can't be transferred to another computer.

you're going to have to do a reinstall if it's oem. my suggestion is keep the hard drive out of the old system intact and download a fresh copy of the os and apps. regardless of what microsour and the oem's like to claim as long as you don't sell or give away the os hdd from the old computer you ARE entitled to install the os on another computer.

 

[derekimo]

Have a look at this tutorial,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html

Pay close attention to the two warning boxes at the top.

If the OS on your laptop came preinstalled, meaning it's an OEM copy, you're out of luck since it can't be transferred to another computer.

you're going to have to do a reinstall if it's oem. my suggestion is keep the hard drive out of the old system intact and download a fresh copy of the os and apps. regardless of what microsour and the oem's like to claim as long as you don't sell or give away the os hdd from the old computer you ARE entitled to install the os on another computer.

Actually OEM licensing is quite clear about not transferring to different hardware.

That is a moot point since the OP already stated it was a retail copy.