Re-using an old SSD with windows on it

Hey guys,

So I currently have a 128GB ssd with windows 7 professional 64-bit and a tone of drivers on it. I was going to have it in my new build but I wasn't able to go more than 5 minutes without getting a BSOD. I attempted to remove all the drivers I could but the issue persisted and I just had a new copy of window installed on a different SSD.

With the SSD just sitting here, my friend has decided to put together a new build and I figured that he could use the SSD and the copy of windows on it. The only issue is that I had lost the windows key and so if I uninstalled it would not be able to re-activate it. I was told that you could use a program to retrieve the windows key being used for your system and I was wondering if this is actually possible?

 

If you want to move a W7 HDD/SSD to another machine is best to sysprep it. It'll return the install to a fresh state (removes drivers and SIDs) while keeping the installed software.

Windows key > cmd > right click "Run as adminstrator" > cd sysprep > sysprep.exe

In sysprep dialog that opens, choose System Cleanup Action as Enter System Out-of-Box-Experience (OOBE), selectGeneralize, select Shutdown on "Shutdown Options" > click OK


After the PC turns off install the disk on the new PC. Enjoy.

EDIT: Since your old user profile already exist, Windows won't accept your normal username, but instead you have to create a new temporary user. When the login screen appears, choose your old user account to login and delete the temporary account.

EDIT2: Take in mind that if you had an OEM install it will become inactivated as OEM installs are tied to the motherboard. If the new PC uses the same board you should be fine.

Retail installs shouldn't have a problem either.




Don't know about the software to retrieve the key. Sorry.

 

doesnt AIDA display your win key? could get the trial & copy the key

lots of other information tools probably do it as well, but at the same time lots of people make fake tools, so other than legitimate famous things like AIDA, i probably wont trust anything from elsewhere (except MDL forums)

you could grab the win7 iso from microsoft's servers & use your key for a fresh install if it's not oem