Getting windows 10-free on new hard drive (hd, motherboard, transfer)

[jdm2008]

I have a computer that I purchased with a Windows 7 COA that was upgraded to windows 10 while it was free. I want to add a SSD and install windows on that instead. Am I going to have to pay for windows 10 now?

[irman]

Originally Posted by jdm2008

I have a computer that I purchased with a Windows 7 COA that was upgraded to windows 10 while it was free. I want to add a SSD and install windows on that instead. Am I going to have to pay for windows 10 now?

On the same *machine* ... No !

You already have a digital entitlement, and that would transfer to the *new* drive.

Do you know how to transfer the OS from an Old drive to a New one ?

[bigbear99]

When you buy a computer with an OEM copy of Windows, Windows is locked to the machine. Microsoft does not discuss exactly how this is done to my knowledge. I suspect it is tied more or less to the mother board. If you make changes beyond what MS allows, usually a phone call will solve the situation, but I have not done that in years.

I've never heard of a HDD upgrade causing a windows activation problem.

[thecoalman]

AFAIK with OEM license unless you change the motherboard it's considered the same computer.

You can download windows 10 here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

Install on new drive and see if it activates. Personally I would move my files from old drive once you have clean install. After clean install you will proabaly have to install drivers, go to the manufacturers site and they will usually have them on one page.

[jaypee]

Or you can simply clone the existing drive onto the SSD and not have to worry about anything at all.

[Wartrace]

Just look for an SSD drive that includes Acronis® True Image HD data transfer software. It simply copies your old drive onto the new SSD drive.