Moving Win 7 from old to new desktop

[radhak]

This week I hope to build my new desktop (i7-3770K).

My current machine is a Dell Pentium 4 from 2003, with a retail Win 7 Pro (32 bit) installed on an SSD. I want to use the same license on the new, but install 64 bit.

As I see it, there's no way to upgrade a 32 bit to 64, so I'll need to reinstall. Also, I want to be sure the new machine is up and running flawlessly before I scratch the old machine (ie, cannibalize its SSD and another HDD for the new machine).

So, my plan is - install Win 7 64 bit on the new machine (which will have a fresh 1TB HDD) and not activate it, run it for a couple of days and install all the programs/applications that I currently have on the old machine. This will test the machine and also allow me to be caught-up with the apps that I use.

Once satisfied, I'd swipe the SSD, move it to the new machine, and migrate the Win 7 installation from HDD to SSD - maybe use the paid version of something like Macrium Reflect to do that (I've the free version of it now for backups and imaging, and it works great, so I expect it to migrate smoothly).

So - whaddya think? Any potential potholes I missed, or even any easier way?

 

[nickbits]

If you clean install windows onto an existing drive with a windows installation, it will move all the windows folders (Users, Program Files, etc) into C:\Windows.old. You could then move them back if you had to revert. I think that might be easier than trying to move the install. Only caveat is to restore, you need to use the recovery console since those folders are locked normally.

 

[Mushkins]

That will work fine, you have a stupid amount of time to activate windows 7.

All you have to do is leave the license key blank when you go to install the new one. It will continue the install as a "trial". Nuke the old machine and run windows activation on the new machine and you're golden. Worst case you have to call MS support and have them reactivate the key, but it should work just fine.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Will the 32-bit key work on a 64-bit install? I thought that was only true for OEM installations...?

 

[saratoga172]

The key should work as long as its a retail key. Not sure about oem keys.

 

[radhak]

IIRC, the retail box explicitly says that it contains both 32 and 64 bit, and that the code works for both.

I'm happy to state that this is one software I've kept nicely, with the disk and other paper-work in the box, unlike the various other software that I dowload-bought and for which I can't remember where the codes are!

I'm told that even if some of my software is not built for 64bit, they'd still run on 64 albeit as a 32bit. As long as I don't have to buy anything further. Hardware (printer, scanner, cable modem) should be an issue, right?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

IIRC, the retail box explicitly says that it contains both 32 and 64 bit, and that the code works for both.

I'm happy to state that this is one software I've kept nicely, with the disk and other paper-work in the box, unlike the various other software that I dowload-bought and for which I can't remember where the codes are!

I'm told that even if some of my software is not built for 64bit, they'd still run on 64 albeit as a 32bit. As long as I don't have to buy anything further. Hardware (printer, scanner, cable modem) should be an issue, right?

I've found that if the manufacturer bothered to write a Win7 driver, they made a 64-bit version as well. So hardware should be no big deal.

 

[saratoga172]

IIRC, the retail box explicitly says that it contains both 32 and 64 bit, and that the code works for both.

I'm happy to state that this is one software I've kept nicely, with the disk and other paper-work in the box, unlike the various other software that I dowload-bought and for which I can't remember where the codes are!

I'm told that even if some of my software is not built for 64bit, they'd still run on 64 albeit as a 32bit. As long as I don't have to buy anything further. Hardware (printer, scanner, cable modem) should be an issue, right?

I doubt you'll run into many, if any, issues for drivers, hardware or software. It would have to be something ancient that barely ran on XP to not work on 7. Even then you can usually force compatibility mode.

We went all 64 bit at work and have some old equipment. We've got an old check printer that doesn't have 64 bit drivers. Windows can usually detect and make sure it works.

Since you got the retail box you'll have no problem reinstalling and activating. It does come with both 32 and 64 bit versions. Or I should say its licensed for both. I have no idea what they actually include in the box.

 

[radhak]

No, don't have any really-old peripherals - my desktop is the oldest of the lot, the other stuff is from recent years!

When I first installed the 32bit, it offered me the select between 32/64, so I'm guessing both versions are available within the same installable. I should be good.

Now just to wait for my stuff to get here and build and install!