Windows 10: Old HDD drive died, we replaced it with an SSD and installed Windows but the old key won't...

My friend's hard drive died but we were able to recover the product key from Windows. He was running Win 8.1 before the drive died.This key should be good for Windows 10 or 11 shouldn't it? I tried running the key though the "ShowKeyPlus" app but it says: Edition -> Invalid Key EULA -> Not Applicable.This key was taken from a working Win 8.1 PC and we just want to install the new SSD and install an OS to get it running again.We've got Windows 11 Pro running on the machine with the new drive but can't activate Windows with the old key. We weren't sure if it was 8.1 Pro or Home etc. bec

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Install of Win 10 from old HDD to new SSD

My PC has a WD 1 T HDD as the primary drive with Win 10 installed. There is also an 2nd older WD HDD for data storage purposes if ever needed - unlikely.

I recently bought a new 500 GB SSD drive. I would like to install my WIN 10 on the new SSD using it as the primary drive.

To install on the new SSD, would I unplug the WD 1 T HDD and install the new SSD drive on the MB and then install Win 10 on the SSD.

After the above, I assume I then reconnect The WD 1 T HDD. With the OS on the New SSD, will the apps and programs that are on the WD HDD operate or will I have to reinstall them on the new SSD As well how do I delete Win 10 from the HDD - do I simply delete the files or delete the partitions or just don’t bother. The WD HDD a was not even close to being full and was bought for faster access.

Any suggestions on how to get the new SSD to work properly and windows off the old WD HDD so it does not interfere with the new SSD would be appreciated.

 

Replacing old hard drive, need way to copy Windows installation across

Hey Guys,
What would be the best way of copying/imaging the entire contents of an old system drive over to a replacement hard disk for the same machine? I need to copy the Windows installations and all other data to the new drive, and then format the old drive to use as a backup.

Any suggestions? *Smile

 

Windows 10 Installation to new SSD while keeping old HDD

Installed a new SSD, so my PC now has two drives. Have been running Windows 10 on the old HDD. I want to install Windows 10 on the new SSD. Using the Windows ISO DVD I made there is no choice where to install WIndows 10. I am not sure how to remove Windows
10 from the old HDD and install it on the SSD to speed up boot.

I read where you cannot remove Windows 10 from the original HDD. Not sure if that is true.