Old Win 10 Computer to New Win 11 Computer

NedF · Feb 20, 2022

I bought a new PC with Win 11 Home installed and I am retiring (handing down) my old Win 10 PC to wife. The HD's on the old computer are larger including the OS SSD. I would like to swap the drives (C: and D). Would I be able to swap the SSD's and recover the license that is registered in my MS Account? If not how would you make the swap? I used to build all of my PC's from scratch but have gotten lazy in my old age. My Win 10 OS SSD is also encrypted with Bitlocker so that adds another level of complexity.

Spit balling here, but should I just clone the OS drives using a 3rd. drive as a temp home for one of the OS SSDs and pay for another Pro license (I already have 3, but I believe they are not transferable).

Ned

spapakons · Mar 3, 2022

To move your old SSD to the new computer, first disable BitLocker and decrypt it. Then try putting the disk in the new computer and boot it. 99% of the cases, Windows will load without any issue and attempt to install drivers for the new hardware. Let it do it. Once complete and you see the desktop, you can install any missing drivers. Even if the graphics card is automatically detected, I recommend installing latest official drivers from the manufacturer for best performance. Then you probably have to activate Windows and that's it. If you want Windows 11 you can then upgrade. You might need to hack it (see relevant threads) to bypass compatibility check.

bobkn · Mar 4, 2022

I suggest imaging the OS drive before doing any messing about. I doubt that it's necessary, but I'd remove Bitlocker encryption first.

spapakons · Mar 5, 2022

If I am correct, the whole purpose of BitLocker is to prevent the use of the hard disk on another computer (unless you can unlock it using the key). Why not unlock it in advance just to be on the safe side, and then move it to the new computer?

Ghot · Mar 5, 2022

bobkn said:
I suggest imaging the OS drive before doing any messing about. I doubt that it's necessary, but I'd remove Bitlocker encryption first.

spapakons said:
If I am correct, the whole purpose of BitLocker is to prevent the use of the hard disk on another computer (unless you can unlock it using the key). Why not unlock it in advance just to be on the safe side, and then move it to the new computer?

Both are excellent ideas. Do both.
Image the OS drive in the Win 10 comp, as it is.
Then decrypt it, and stick it in the other computer.