Where to get OS image?

[ktyang88]

I am planning on replacing the original hd in my HP laptop with a new SSD HD.  Since no OS CD/Images came with the system (everything was already loaded), how do I get the OS from my existing (original) HD to the new SSD HD?

Would appreciate any advice as I don't want to buy new Windows OS.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If the SSD you plan to buy is as large a capacity as your current HDD, you can make a disk image of your current installation by using free backup software such as Macrium Reflect and put the image on your new hard drive.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

Or you can clean install W10 by using the Media Creation tool at the link below.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If you upgraded to W10 from 7, or 8.1, when you get to the part of the installation script where you are asked to enter a product key, select the 'I don't have a product key option,' and W10 will install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.

If your PC came from HP with a W10 license, the installation will pick up the W10 key in your notebook's BIOS and activate after you are connected to the internet.

[ktyang88]

Just to be clear, my HP laptop is over 4 years old and came with an Windows 8 license pre-install.  I did the free Win10 upgrade from Microsoft.

Going to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10, I will still be able to do a fresh install and it will pick up the Win 8 license and know that I can run Win10?

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Microsoft has a record of PC's that were previously upgraded to W10.

You would follow this procedure when getting to the enter product key part of the W10 installation script...

If you upgraded to W10 from 7, 8, or 8.1, when you get to the part of the installation script where you are asked to enter a product key, select the 'I don't have a product key option,' and W10 will install and automatically activate once you are connected to the internet.