Using Product key of Pre-Installed Windows 10 to migrate window from hdd to ssd or any other pc

[Dark_angel001]

Hi there,

I am facing plenty of problems because of this pre-installed windows that came with my HP laptop.

Recently I have been trying to use ssd as my primary hard drive but the recovery usb is not working on it and giving error while booting.

Strange thing is that my ssd is now my primary hard drive and I installed a non-producted window on it to use it for temporary purpose but since I installed my hdd in place of DVD slot, my HDD window bypasses the primary window and boots.

I searched and found one thing called ProducKey, which enables you to know the product key of your windows 10. I have now the Product key of my pre-installed windows 10 but I am curious about to know that whether this key will work on my ssd or any other pc?

What if I wipe my hdd completely off and then try to use the product key on ssd and it doesn't work. My windows 10 will be lost in the darkness.

Kind regards

[CherylG]

@Dark_angel001

The key you retrieved using Produkey is embedded in your BIOS. It can Not be used on another machine since the key is an OEM key licensed only for your motherboard. It can be used for activating Windows on the ssd or any other replacement hdd you install.

I think your boot problems would be solved if you format the original hdd before putting it back in- or possibly boot with Windows usb/dvd and format it plus the ssd before choosing to install on the ssd. Since you are skeptical of your key working for install on ssd- just remove the hdd from the laptop for now.

The key is usually retrieved automatically during an install of Windows 10 created with the Media Creation Tool at Microsoft site. 

Microsoft provides the free Media Creation Tool to download files and create a Windows 10 usb flash drive. Big advantage is you will have latest updated version of Windows 10 v1709. At least 8gb flash drive required:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Select Download tool now, and select Run.
If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10.

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When the flash drive is prepared insert it in a usb port. Power on the laptop and immediately start tapping Esc key. From the menu tap F9 key and use the arrow keys to move to and select usb. Tap Enter key.
When installing ,choose Custom and delete any partitions you have and install. It should pickup the key from BIOS but if it asks at any point just choose "I don't have a key" or put in the one you retrieved. It will continue and should activate once you are online.

[Dark_angel001]

Thanks for the help.

Can you tell me the step wise procedure.

I have backed up eveything. I want to wipe everything and activate windows 10 on my ssd and use my hdd as secondary hard drive.

What do I do? Format hdd and then remove it and start installation in my ssd using usb to install it as you said.

And then insert my hdd, but what about partitions?

Regards

[CherylG]

Once you install the formatted hdd back in the laptop after getting Windows installed and activated on the ssd- you can use Disk Management in Windows to create partitions on the hdd.

 If the ssd and hdd are different capacity you can probably just keep both installed and boot with the usb. After starting the Install and choosing custom you will be shown both disks and you can delete all partitions on each. Then choose the unallocated space of the ssd-you can tell it from the hdd by size/capacity right? It should be shown as Disk 0 and the hdd as disk 1.

[Dark_angel001]

What if by following these steps I am still unable to get it activated! Will I be able to use my activated windows 10 on my hdd by removing ssd

Regards

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

@Dark_angel001

Yes, just remove the original hdd and store it safely away. Install Windows on the ssd and get it activated. You can always reinstall original hdd if needed or format it later and use for storage.