Can I move my desktop SSD to my new laptop with OS installed

Irish_PXzyan · Apr 2, 2014

Well lads,

Just wondering can I remove my SSD from my desktop computer and place it into my new laptop that's coming in a couple weeks. It has Windows 8 installed on it and the new laptop that's coming will not have an OS installed!

The laptop supports 2.5" SSD slot so I know that'll be fine. But can I just plug it in and it'll just work fine?

Or will I have to reformat the drive and install windows 8 on it again?

Papahyooie · Apr 2, 2014

Most people will tell you no, but it's entirely possible, under the condition that your install is not an upgraded version of windows. (e.g., vista upgrade to W7 or something like that.)

All you have to do is use the command line to enter the sysprep /generalize command. What this will do is make it so that you are basically re-initializing windows. Almost like a fresh install (as all drivers will be wiped) but with all your files and programs intact. There are plenty of tutorials on google. Just search sysprep.

Had to do this a few weeks ago to upgrade my server.

EDIT you will probably have to re-validate the install, so if it's an OEM version that was pre-installed on your laptop, it probably won't work.

Irish_PXzyan · Apr 2, 2014

Ah really? It's an upgraded version of Windows 7! and I have the disk version of Windows 8 upgrade.

So I guess I'm out of luck?

Will it work if I just remove all data on the SSD and put it in the laptop and install my copy of Windows 7 again and upgrade to windows 8?

I'd MUCH prefer to not have to do this as I don't want to have to back up files and crap :/

Papahyooie · Apr 3, 2014

The problem is, if you just stick the drive in a new computer it will most likely blue screen due to drivers being mismatched and all that. The sysprep command cleans all that out. You can always try to stick the drive in the new computer and see. Sometimes, if the hardware is close enough, it will work.

As far as I know, an upgraded edition like you have is not eligible for the sysprep system to work. Do your own research on it, as I'm not 100% positive of the implications there. It has something to do with the fact that the system will try to go back to its preparation stage, but that will be on the wrong OS. (the older one.) and therefore is disabled. But there might be hope. There is plenty of information out there on it, so take a look for yourself.

fritoking · Apr 3, 2014

Ive done it...no terrible issues. Just had to load proper drivers....

Kursah · Apr 3, 2014

Go for it! Should be a piece of cake!

I've done similar, I've even moved an SSD from a tower to a laptop. Rarely have issues. The biggest issues are if going to a new build that doesn't have ACHI enabled, which is getting rare anymore even for new mainboards. I've done it with both Windows 7 and 8, and really if one is smart about it, has drivers downloaded on a usb stick beforehand, and uninstalls all the drivers they can prior to removing from the old unit...there shouldn't be too many issues. At least that's my experience...it's not that hard to do, and saves time installing the OS...which really if installing from a USB stick saves you 20 minutes but hey that's 20 minutes of gaming you have earned!

:toast:

suraswami · Apr 3, 2014

I have done this with Windows 7 but not with 8. I manually uninstall all the drivers and when the disk is moved to another system, windows will install all new devices, I then install all needed drivers and activate.

eidairaman1 · Apr 3, 2014

Drivers might cause bsods, so no, clean installs a must.

kn00tcn · Apr 3, 2014

clean install is not a must but highly recommended

i have moved XP & 98 installations onto different motherboards, at the minimum you have to uninstall the hard drive controller that causes the common BSOD you'd run into (it's a lot like uninstalling your gfx driver, powering down, changing cards/brands, powering up, installing new driver)

be ready for annoyances, best case scenario you end up with a bit of a bloated installation, worst case is it falls apart & wont work when you put it back on the old desktop, but of course the important thing is your own personal files should be fine

Bansaku · Apr 3, 2014

You CAN easily swap out the desktop SSD and place it in your laptop, but as other have stated, drivers will be an issue. Either BSOD or Windows will detect the hardware change and prompt you to insert the Windows DVD ands repair the system. Worst case you can install Windows over the previous version and have the Old Windows contents saved in a new folder.

Papahyooie · Apr 3, 2014

All of you above that say BSOD's can occur. That is what the sysprep command is for.

Told you there would be plenty of people who say it isn't possible lol.

arskatb · Apr 3, 2014

Wouldnt never recommend that

Sasqui · Apr 3, 2014

Papahyooie said:
All you have to do is use the command line to enter the sysprep /generalize command. What this will do is make it so that you are basically re-initializing windows. Almost like a fresh install (as all drivers will be wiped) but with all your files and programs intact. There are plenty of tutorials on google. Just search sysprep.

I never knew that! (thx)

And I wasn't even thinking of the OS needing validation, just driver conflicts.

Papahyooie · Apr 3, 2014

Sasqui said:
I never knew that! (thx)

And I wasn't even thinking of the OS needing validation, just driver conflicts.

No problem. That's the trick that nobody seems to know... People just always say no, you have to clean install. The sysprep makes it like it's a new install, but with your programs intact. Easy peasy. The only catch is you have to re-validate, plus it doesn't seem to work for upgraded installs.

Irish_PXzyan · Apr 3, 2014

Thanks lads for the responses. It seems that perhaps I'll plug the SSD into the laptop and boot it up from there? I should just uninstall GPU drivers and ASUS drivers and all other drivers and perhaps it'll work?

That sysprep sounds great but since it doesn't work for upgrades I guess I'm out of luck?

Should I just try putting it into the laptop regardless of the sysprep and see what happens??

manofthem · Apr 3, 2014

arskatb said:
Wouldnt never recommend that

Double negative... so you're saying that you would recommend it, eh. :laugh:

arskatb · Apr 4, 2014

manofthem said:
Double negative... so you're saying that you would recommend it, eh.

erhh,, typo :banghead:

Irish_PXzyan · Apr 4, 2014

ummm.. if I just reformat the drive, install win7 and then upgrade to win8 again.. will it just work?? like I won't have any issues reactivating Win8 as it's an upgrade???

silkstone · Apr 4, 2014

There is a way to install an upgrade version of W8 just like the full version. Have a search, someone put a guide on these forums, I think.

eidairaman1 · Apr 4, 2014

Papahyooie said:
No problem. That's the trick that nobody seems to know... People just always say no, you have to clean install. The sysprep makes it like it's a new install, but with your programs intact. Easy peasy. The only catch is you have to re-validate, plus it doesn't seem to work for upgraded installs.

yup just like you hitting A_LT F4 lol

Papahyooie · Apr 4, 2014

Irish_PXzyan said:
ummm.. if I just reformat the drive, install win7 and then upgrade to win8 again.. will it just work?? like I won't have any issues reactivating Win8 as it's an upgrade???

Here's what you do. First, just put the drive in the new laptop. If it boots great, if it doesn't move on to step two.

2. Put it back in the old machine. Uninstall all the drivers you can. Put back in new laptop, try to boot.

3 Sysprep will likely not work for you.

4. Is the windows 7 a retail copy or an OEM? Because if it's OEM the license will not likely transfer over to the new machine anyway. If you have both a retail windows 7 and retail upgrade, then yes you can format the drive and install W7 then upgrade again.

Irish_PXzyan · Apr 4, 2014

Yeah I think i'll just put it in and see what happens. I will uninstall drivers before doing it anyway just to be extra safe ^^

I have the retail win7 so that's a plus at least

Irish_PXzyan · Apr 19, 2014

Well lads,

I got the laptop yesterday and boy oh boy it's fantastic! Performance is surprisingly good and I can Total War Rome 2 on very high\Ultra specs which is amazing! and very smooth ^^

Anyway, I just want to let yee lads know that I took out the SSD out of the desktop and placed it right into the laptop. It was flawless! It took no more than 5 seconds to prepare new hardware before fully launching windows and then it popped up saying Hi and all that Jibber Jabber talk ^^

I didn't need to do anything else other than activate windows again and that was it... smooth as a babys behind so it was

So anyone else that is thinking of doing what I did probably shouldn't worry about it.. just remove GPU drivers is all I did before swapping the SSD ^^

I couldn't be happier

Papahyooie · Apr 22, 2014

Great to hear! You got lucky that the hardware was close enough to be able to boot. Sometimes you get lucky, so it's always good to try.

eidairaman1 · Apr 22, 2014

Hes having trouble with it

System Name	The Metadis
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	Asrock B650 RS Pro
Cooling	MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2
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Video Card(s)	ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D
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Power Supply	800w CM
Mouse	Corsair M65 Pro
Software	Windows 10 Pro

System Name	The Metadis
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	Asrock B650 RS Pro
Cooling	MSI MAG CoreLiquid 360R V2
Memory	32GB G-Skill Trident Z5 Neo 6000mhz CL32
Video Card(s)	Asus Tuf RX 7900XTX OC 24GB
Storage	Crucial P5 Plus 2TB Gen4 nvme + Sabrent Rocket Pro 500GB Nvme Gen3
Display(s)	LG C2 42" 4K 120hz OLED
Case	NZXT H6 Flow
Audio Device(s)	Hifiman Edition XS - Ifi Zen DAC V2 - 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Dioko 14.6m Planar Diaphragm Drive IEM
Power Supply	Seasonic G12 GM - 850W 80 Plus Gold
Mouse	Corsair M65 ELITE RGB Optical FPS Gaming Mouse (18000 DPI Optical Sensor)
Keyboard	Redragon K648 90% Wired Aluminium Mechanical - Rock-Solid Metal Board Built-in Noise Absorbing Foams
VR HMD	Meta Quest 3
Software	Windows 11 64-bit

System Name	Gamer
Processor	AMD Ryzen 3700x
Motherboard	AsRock B550 Phantom Gaming ITX/AX
Memory	32GB
Video Card(s)	ASRock Radeon RX 6800 XT Phantom Gaming D
Case	Phanteks Eclipse P200A D-RGB
Power Supply	800w CM
Mouse	Corsair M65 Pro
Software	Windows 10 Pro

Processor	A10-7850k
Motherboard	MSI A88X-G43
Cooling	Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Memory	2x4 Gskill PC3 1600
Video Card(s)	MSI R9 270
Storage	120gb ssd / 640 gb hd
Display(s)	Acer 24in

Can I move my desktop SSD to my new laptop with OS installed

Irish_PXzyan

Papahyooie

Irish_PXzyan

Papahyooie

fritoking

Kursah

Super Moderator

suraswami

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

kn00tcn

Bansaku

Papahyooie

arskatb

Sasqui

Papahyooie

Irish_PXzyan

manofthem

WCG-TPU Team All-Star!

arskatb

Irish_PXzyan

silkstone

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

Papahyooie

Irish_PXzyan

Irish_PXzyan

Papahyooie

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

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