Windows 10: How to switch boot disk and retain license

Hi,


What is the easiest way to switch the old and slow 1TB disk to a SSD of similar size?


I was considering cloning the drive from old to new but is there another way?


System is Windows 10 Home.


Cheers

:)

 

Can't safely remove external disk

In reference to the steps of your suggestions:

• The issue is specific to the particular disk and it started after I've used the disk to save the System image backup (created with the Control Panel > File History tool).
• I didn't disable any windows Service. I'm just wondering if there is any to disable.
• Safe boot with networking, or clean boot doesn't resolve the issue.

Thank you.

 

Disk boot failure after removing old Vista partition

Thank you for the reply, muchomurka! As I indicated in my post, I have already tried all the steps you suggested to no avail:

- I cannot choose startup repair since the computer does not boot from the installation media
- I cannot use command prompt since the computer does not boot further than the POST screen
- I have disconnected and tried out all hard drives individually.

Since I had Win 10 up and running a few hours ago, I can say with 100% certainty that none of the hardware is faulty.

The real mystery is, how come the system won't boot from any media without an empty disk containing an old Vista boot sector being on top of the boot priority list? And which steps to take now that I've cleaned this disk and it does not exist anymore?

Would appreciate any ideas and pointers!

 

I want to sell my laptop but retain my windows 10 license

My laptop has Windows 10 Pro retail license. I wish to retain this license for myself and not give it away with the device. I will be doing a full reset and data wipe (of course). But I want to know how I can hold on to my license. What extra steps will I need to take?

Clarification edits:

1. It did not come with Windows. It came with DOS installed. For this reason, there is no license key baked into the BIOS.

2. It is not UEFI at its current configuration. It does support UEFI, though, if one is willing to go through the complete format and reinstall process.

3. I am using a retail Windows 10 Pro license which I bought separately