I recently was given a new desktop computer that has better specs across the board from my current computer.

My current computer though is all set up how I want, all with a new hard drive. Currently running windows 11.

Can I just install the hard drive into the new computer? I’ve read conflicting information about whether it’ll work. Some are saying Windows will automatically seek out drivers for the new hardware, but I’ll probably need to reactivate or install a new license.

Just wondering if this is the most viable option? What I’m trying to avoid is having to do a clean install, then having to add and customize everything all over again.

  • IHOP_007@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Best practice is to reinstall your operating system but realistically you can just move the drive over and you probably won’t face any problems (and if you do run into problems then you can just go and do an in-place reinstall that’ll keep all your files and programs).

    but I’ll probably need to reactivate or install a new license.

    You’ll just have to login to your microsoft account and reactivate your licence, Microsoft does this to stop people running one copy of windows on multiple computers. So long as you’re not trying to do that it’s not really an issue.