cloning a w11 system


johnhoh

Member
Local time
5:47 PM
Posts
11
OS
windows 11
I have two identical hardware systems and in the past, when upgrading the OS, will first fully customize sys1 then clone its boot drive for use on sys2. Then once sys2 boots to desktop I just update the windows product key to activate it and I end up with two systems that are the same. Right now I have w10 retail keys for each system and just did an in place upgrade to win11 on sys1. If I now clone its boot drive over to sys2 how do I activate it once it boots to desktop? Can I manually input its w10 prod key somewhere? Thanks. I am open to going through an in-place upgrade for sys2 if cloning is not possible, just wanted to check.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
No need to install win 10 and then upgrade to Win 11.
Win 10 and Win 11 use same license keys. You can install Win 11 directly using Win 10 license.

If the computer that received the Win 11 (cloned) from the other computer never had an activated Win10 or win11 you insert the other Win 10 key on
Settings > System > Product key and activation > Change product key > Change.
If it once had same version (Home or Pro) of Win 10 or Win 11 it has a so called Digital License and it will probably auto activate
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP 64 - Lubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    custom build
    CPU
    i5 6600K - 800MHz to 4400MHz
    Motherboard
    GA-Z170-HD3P
    Memory
    4+4G GSkill DDR4 3000
    Graphics Card(s)
    IG - Intel 530
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    (1) -1 SM951 – 128GB M.2 AHCI PCIe SSD drive for Win 11
    (2) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for Data
    (3) -1 WD SATA 3 - 1T for backup
    (4) -1 BX500 SSD - 128G for Windows 7 and Lubuntu
    PSU
    Thermaltake 450W TR2 gold
    Keyboard
    Old and good Chicony mechanical keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech mX performance - 9 buttons (had to disable some)
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Q550LF
    CPU
    i7-4500U 800- 3000MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Q550LF
    Memory
    (4+4)G DDR3 1600
    Graphics card(s)
    IG intel 4400 + NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Display LP156WF4-SPH1
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    BX500 120G SSD for Windows and programs
    & 1T HDD for data
    Internet Speed
    500 Mb/s
    Browser
    Firefox 64

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