<div>
With some 3rd party tools you might be able to do it, but I'd never fully trust the OS is 100% stable.<br />
<br />
See here...<a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/239815/why-cant-you-move-a-windows-installation-to-another-computer/" rel="ugc">https://www.howtogeek.com/239815/why-cant-you-move-a-windows-installation-to-another-computer/</a>
</div>


<div>
If it is truly new, then it will be Windows 10 and there is a good chance it will not even run Windows 7. Ask the user to get upgraded software applications to run in Windows 10 and this time keep the disks or ISO files.
</div>


<div>
I agree with Scott above. <br />
<br />
I have done that a few times on workstations, for temp reasons. but they always get an image refresh. you can make your life easier though by changing the location of your user's libraries (Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Videos) to a second non-system drive. <br />
When you get your new system up, then just throw in that other drive and your libraries are ready to go. I usually never keep my libraries on the same drive as my OS, for this simple fact.
</div>


<div>
Now, that being said....you really don't have anything to lose by trying. &nbsp;I'd make a clone of the original drive and experiment with that copy.<br />
<br />
It shouldn't matter too much if the user has install disks or not. &nbsp;Most software can be downloaded from the company's website.
</div>


<div>
I would image the Hard Drive and deploy it to a new machine using Bare metal Recovery software such as Acronis or the like. There are numerous backup applications out there capable of performing this level recovery.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.acronis.com/en-us/articles/bare-metal-restore/" rel="ugc">https://www.acronis.com/en-us/articles/bare-metal-restore/</a>
</div>


<div>
Hi,<br />
<br />
You will almost certainly find that it won't be stable. &nbsp;Many if not most of the drivers will be different than the hardware in the new machine.<br />
<br />
As mentioned above, I would image the drive (sector by sector) first so that you can always walk back if you are going to try it, but much better to start from scratch with the new machine and a clean install of Win10 (say).<br />
<br />
Also the old machine will have accumulated cruft over time, as old things are wont to do (me included!), so always good to start from a clean install periodically. &nbsp;If I have full control, I usually wipe and re-install everything on my main machine once a year over the Christmas holidays unless it was new during the year, and have done for many years.<br />
<br />
<br />
Alan.
</div>


<div>
Both computers are 64 bit Win7 Pro (some people just aren't ready to make the jump yet!).<br />
Acronis's universal restore was the option that seemed most likely to use, has anyone tried that?
</div>


<div>
All new computers in the last 12 - 16 months are Windows 10 because Microsoft has not allowed Windows 7 to be sold. So the &quot;new&quot; computer must be old stock. <br />
<br />
Acronis will do what you want, but this is a time to start fresh and install updated software.
</div>


<div>
Optiplex 3050s have been out about a year, from what I understand. Dell has several models you can still buy with Win 7 downgrade option. I recommended Win 10, but the person signing the check preferred Win 7.
</div>


<div>
I haven't seen downgrade rights in a long time now. <br />
<br />
Nevertheless that is what your client has.
</div>


<div>
Hi Gromack,<br />
<br />
What is the reason for wanting to swap over the HDDs, rather than setup from scratch?<br />
<br />
Swapping over seems to be a much less optimal solution, in that it will given you an 'old' computer (albeit with new hardware), with all the existing issues, plus highly likely, a whole load more issues that don't currently exist.<br />
<br />
It will cost the customer a lot more in the long run if you swap the HDDs than doing it 'right', and potentially result is more downtime for them, compared to setting up a new machine, leaving the old one available, and transition them across (zero downtime for the user).<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm not really understanding why you (or they) would want to do it that way?<br />
<br />
Alan.
</div>


<div>
even if you can install the new drive techically - mS won't accept the new hardware - for activation.<br />
at least you should contact them for licencing, and i'm afraid they will not accept OEM licence to be transferred to another system
</div>


<div>
Alan, the root cause in all this is someone not wanting to lose their SSD and have to reinstall all programs, etc.<br />
nobus, I didn't even consider that - wouldn't Acronis have made mention of that? Besides, it's not like I'm trying to 'steal' a license from M$ - new computer has one, too.<br />
Lemme take a look at what all I'd have to get re-installed. SSDs have come down some, it may be cheaper to just get a new one &amp;&nbsp;be done with it.<br />
Part of me wants to do it, just to see if it can be done, but the otrher part of me sees this ballooning out of control &amp;&nbsp;ruining a whole weekend!
</div>


<div>
Acronis is not interested in licencing - it just copies your disk<br />
MS is not interested in the fact you have another licence - they simply don't accept it; only on the same hardware - or you have to contact them and explain your problem
</div>


<div>
User sprang for a new HD. <br />
At this point, I plan on trying the Acronis universal restore, as I'm curious to see if it works.<br />
Should it not work, I plan on cloning current HD in the new machine to the SSD, using Clonezilla &amp;&nbsp;install her other programs, as she only had a couple that she will need &amp;&nbsp;does have disk for them.<br />
Not sure if this will be Saturday or Sunday, but I will report back after I'm done.<br />
Thanks to all!
</div>


<div>
sounds good, let us know how it goes.
</div>


<div>
@Gromack<br />
<br />
The only issue I can think of that you might run into, the new computer that you purchase will need to have the &quot;SAME&quot; OS as the one that you are deploying to it. Windows 10 is married to the Hardware, so if you purchase a computer that has windows 10 Professional on it already that &quot;IS&quot; activated and you deploy a acronis image to that computer with a image with Windows 10 Professional, then you will have no issues you will be able to activate without issue. If you take a Windows 7 Professional computer and install windows 10 professional from an image, then you will &quot;NOT&quot; be able to activate that software without calling Microsoft as others have mentioned. I never have this issue, because I always purchase the same model computer with the Same OS to keep uniformity in my organization.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://kb.acronis.com/content/36187" rel="ugc">https://kb.acronis.com/content/36187</a>
</div>


<div>
They are both 64 bit Win 7 Pro.<br />
I had recommended Win 10 originally, but some are still scared of it, I even tried using the argument that every other time M$ gets it right, haha!
</div>


<div>
I personally believe Microsoft hit a Home Run with Windows 10 as compared with Windows 7.
</div>


<div>
Yes, I would not clone an old system with issues and I think it worthwhile for you to convince the user to put Windows 10 on the new system. Better system and has more life long term
</div>


<div>
and i believe windows 10 is a marketing must from MS, so as not to loose the market to other OS'es on mobile devices (i-pads)<br />
it requires much more mouse clicks to do whatever you did in W7 - and i don't like it<br />
so everybody has a different view
</div>


<div>
Using the downgrade to Win 7 option, does that give you the right to upgrade to Win 10 at your convenience?
</div>


<div>
You should be able to get the Windows 10 Installation media from the manufacturer
</div>


<div>
Would that upgrade the current win 7 installation or would you have to reformat &amp;&nbsp;reinstall?
</div>


<div>
If this is on the new computer, you should be able to upgrade. I am assuming new with no applications installed.
</div>


<div>
it depends on the manufacturer; some give the options to keep your data, some don't
</div>


<div>
Since user sparng for another SSD, that made life easier for me.<br />
Used Samsung's data migration tool to clone existing HD to new one. It turned out that user only had a couple of programs needing to be installed &amp;&nbsp;oddly enough, actually had the installation disks! If I had more time, I would have tried the Acronis move &amp;&nbsp;may still do, with one of my bench computers. <br />
Thanks to all!
</div>


<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
Is there an easy (or proven) way to basically move a HD to a new computer, keeping everything intact?<br />
Existing computer is getting a little long in the tooth, but of course user doesn't have all disks, etc., to reinstall. <br />
In win7 is there a type of bare metal restore I can run? <br />
I've also heard Acronis has an option to restore a backup to a new computer?<br />
Both are Dells, old one an optiplex 3010 &amp;&nbsp;new one an optiplex 3050, both running 64bit Win7.<br />
Suggestions?
</div>
</div>


Is there an easy (or proven) way to basically move a HD to a new computer, keeping everything intact?
Existing computer is getting a little long in the tooth, but of course user doesn't have all disks, etc., to reinstall. 
In win7 is there a type of bare metal restore I can run? 
I've also heard Acronis has an option to restore a backup to a new computer?
Both are Dells, old one an optiplex 3010 & new one an optiplex 3050, both running 64bit Win7.
Suggestions?

Moving HD to new computer?

Acronis sets the standard for cyber protection and hybrid cloud storage through its innovative backup, anti-ransomware, disaster recovery, storage, and enterprise file sync and share solutions. Powered by the Acronis AnyData Engine and strengthened by innovative artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies, Acronis solutions deliver easy, reliable, efficient, secure, and private cyber protection.  Founded in Singapore in 2003, Acronis is celebrating its 15-year anniversary. Supported by more than 1,000 employees worldwide, Acronis’ products are used in over 150 countries, delivering complete protection to more than 5 million consumers and 500,000 businesses. Learn more at acronis.com

Acronis

Since 1984, Dell has been delivering technology to fit your life.
Dell is in Enterprise, Home Office and Consumer sectors of the market, supplying a broad range of customizable desktops, laptops, notebooks, servers, storage, and network devices.

Dell

Windows 7 is an operating system from Microsoft. Features include multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements.