Move Windows 8.1 installation to another PC - is it possible to avoid a re-install & just move the hard drive?

Question

Last year I've installed a clean copy of Windows 8 (later upgraded to 8.1) on a new laptop. This process was challenging because the laptop included Windows 8 pre-installed (plus bloatware), and my Windows 8 ISO (which I bought before from a Windows 7 upgrade) rejected the serial key that came with the laptop. I had to find the official ISO compatible with my keys and OEM installation.

Now I need to migrate this Windows installation to another laptop. Basically moving the hard disk. Long time ago, I recall that there was a command I could run on Windows to set in a special way such that—upon the next boot—it will scan the hardware and re-configure drivers as needed.

Can I do the same with Windows 8.1? I can imagine that today it's a little more complicated (UEFI, signed Bios, etc). I'd like to avoid re-installing everything one more time.

Solution

You can achieve what you want using sysprep. If the Windows versions are the same (both Home or Pro), you can backup the license information from the newer one and restore it to the older one.

Sysprep info: http://www.smattie.com/2013/12/16/how-to-sysprep-with-windows-8-1/

License info: http://tipsandtricksforum.com/thread-163.html

Comments

[elder elder]

I highly doubt it, but I'd be interested to find out if such a magic way exists...

[Ramhound]

Yes; this is possible; it's not clear you want to do this though; you do it exactly how you did it always with Sysprep

[Sebastian]

@Ramhound: while using Sysprep, how does it solve the license problem? For example: I have laptop A with license X, and I run sysprep on it. I buy laptot B with license Y, replace the HD. What license will get windows in laptop B? the old form A? or the new one? Thanks

[Ramhound]

It doesn't matter because you can just simply change the key before you activate the installation.

[Sebastian]

Thanks. So far, sysprep looks like the best option. I'll wait for more comments, but if you edit your comment as an answer (some official links to sysprep+win8 would be awesome.. only if it's not too much to ask), that'll be the accepted answer ;) Thanks,

[Ramhound]

Windows 8.1 does not have "upgrade only" keys. All keys outside of OEM keys can be used for both upgrading a previous installation or installing windows fresh.

[Ramhound]

Sure you can; SysPrep will allow him to do exactly that.

[Retired_admin]

Sure it will work and I've used it before, however, it has to be the same hardware, otherwise the user is going to have a mess. This is a new laptop. The user will receive a new license and should use that to setup the machine. It's also cleaner that way too.

[iSR5]

see this page : windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/why-activate-windows

[Ramhound]

You need to explain why one would visit that website,,,

[iSR5]

The previous page will explain my answered above about upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8, which is why the gentleman can't use his key on the Windows installer. I've never mentioned the Upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1, as we all know it's free and we can use the same key on both as I mentioned before.

[Ramhound]

Actually you can't use an 8 key to install 8.1 I am well aware about 8 and 8.1 I don't need education and there is only on type of 8.1 license (system builder)

[iSR5]

my apology, but I think you misunderstood what I meant by 'using the same key on both' what I meant is using Win8 key to upgrade it to 8.1, which is free. I apologize for the misunderstanding, if you took it in the wrong direction my friend.

[fixer1234]

Sysprep was already mentioned in comments. You need to "add value" to expand that into an answer. Link-only answers are a problem because they have no value if the link breaks or is unavailable. Please include the essential information within your answer and use the links just for attribution and further reading. Thanks.