hi guys, just wondering I have a 'Seagate ATA DSIC DRIVE 500GB' from my old Hp pavilion dv6 laptop and i'm wondering is it possible to connect this in some way to my desktop pc in hopes to go through the system files and find my product key for my old windows 7? which i want to use for my old laptop which is coming on monday/tuesday ???
It it possible to connect an old laptop HDD to desktop and view files?
- Thread starter thambo
- Start date
Whilst you will be able to connect it and see the files on it, I doubt you'd be able to get the product key (its not just stored anywhere easily accessible) and you wouldn't be able to boot from said drive. Also unless its got a retail version of Windows on it, the license is not transferable to a new machine anyway.
Oussebon
Multiverse Poster
+1 to the above. If it's the licence key that came with the laptop it likely belongs to it and can't be used elsewhere.
Though if you're desperate to try it for science, you could check this: http://www.howtogeek.com/64600/how-to-recover-windows-and-software-keys-from-a-broken-computer/
Though if you're desperate to try it for science, you could check this: http://www.howtogeek.com/64600/how-to-recover-windows-and-software-keys-from-a-broken-computer/
If i remember correctly i had windows 8.1 installed, at a later stage i reinstalled windows 7 using a 3rd party key would that be stored anywhere there?
Other things to note as well, the 15" Cosmos is not available to be bought with Win7 so it may be very tricky to get Win7 installed on it anyway, some of the newer laptops don't play well with Win7 unfortunately, so even if you do manage to find the key and if it is a proper retail key, it may not install well and you may not be able to find some of the relevant drivers you need.
there is option 2 then, i will utilize the free windows 10 upgrade until 29th of july by using a valid product key to clean install windows 10???
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
You would need a new key as the one your using is tied to the original machine. So you might as well just get a Windows 10 key.
Also note that windows 10 doesn't even use keys anymore, so it'll definitely be tied to the original machine. Even if you upgrade a retail licence, it appears that the windows 10 upgrade can't be transferred (I've seen conflicting claims on this - some sources say that if you upgrade a retail licence, it'll be a windows 10 retail licence, but I've found nowhere explaining how one can transfer to a new machine when there are no longer any product keys).
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
I suspect it will be broadly similar to other retail Windows licenses. If you install it on another computer you'll need to use phone activation and confirm that it's been uninstalled from the original computer.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
There's a new tool available to insider rings which allows you to tie a license to a Microsoft account even if it's an oem license, aimed specifically at system builders and modders. Idea is it will be made public on release of anniversary build in July.
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/wi...-released-activation-troubleshooter-announced
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/wi...-released-activation-troubleshooter-announced