Transfering an usable hard drive

[tazzman06]

I have an older computer that has Windows 7 as the OS.  I am going to buy a newer computer that has windows 10 as the OS.  Can I transfer the old hard drive to this new computer?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

If Windows 7 came with the old PC from the factory, then it is a violation of Microsoft's OEM licensing rules to transfer the old hard drive to a new PC.

The OEM operating system stays with the PC and cannot be transferred.

If you installed Windows 7 from a retail disk (full or upgrade), then yes, you can transfer the hard drive to a new PC.

Bear in mind that is is highly doubtful the W7 disk would even boot up in the new PC due to the different hardware it has.

[tazzman06]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

Hi:

If Windows 7 came with the old PC from the factory, then it is a violation of Microsoft's OEM licensing rules to transfer the old hard drive to a new PC.

The OEM operating system stays with the PC and cannot be transferred.

If you installed Windows 7 from a retail disk (full or upgrade), then yes, you can transfer the hard drive to a new PC.

Bear in mind that is is highly doubtful the W7 disk would even boot up in the new PC due to the different hardware it has.

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Thanks for the info Paul.  To your knowledge, does Windows 10 have microsoft office as part ot he OS? Thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Unfortunately, it doesn't.

Microsoft Office may be bundled with the PC you bought, but it would most likely be a trial version.

If Microsoft Office came with your old PC, unfortunately you can't use the key it came with to reinstall it on the new PC.

If you purchased Microsoft Office via a download, and have the key, you can download the installation file from Microsoft, if it is Office 2010 or newer.

Microsoft no longer supports Office 2007 or earlier, so there are no downloads available from Microsoft anymore.

[tazzman06]

Paul, thanks again for the info.  Since my wife and I did alot of work on excel, word, etc..., we were hoping to maintain or use our hard drive that contained those documents.  Which is why we are hesitant to purchase a computer with Windows 10 since it doesn't have office.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

If you do not develop intricate Excel spreadsheets or word documents, you can always use one of the free open office software suites out there such as Libre Office.   This software will allow you to continue using your basic word documents or excel spreadsheets much the way you do now.  It just wouldn't do pie charts, pivot tables, insert comments, etc.

https://www.libreoffice.org/