Installing freshly cloned Windows 11 24H2 SSD onto second computer

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We are in the process of setting up Windows 11 Pro on multiple HP Z2 G9 Tower Workstations (SKU: 4N3U9AV_MB).

We are wondering if it is possible to clone the initial workstation’s configured C drive onto other SSDs and install the clones on identically configured HP Z2 G9 Tower Workstations.

The great unknown is if the Windows serial number contained on the original C drive will be compatible on the other HP machines.

The computers were delivered with Windows 11 Pro 24H2.

In addition to setting up Windows on the first machine we have:

• Cloned the initial Windows setup from the original 256 GB M.2 SSD onto a 2TB WD-Black SSD (SN850X),
• Removed the original 256 GB M.2 SSD hosting Windows from the motherboard,
• Moved the cloned 2TB SSD drive to the slot that originally held the 256 GB M.2 SSD, and
• Restarted the PC without incident.

It has taken several hours to configure Windows 11 the way we want it including:

• Setting up Windows 11 Pro 24H2 without Microsoft and HP accounts,
• Configuring Windows to better reflect the Windows 10 experience, and
• Using Revo Uninstaller Pro 5 to remove unwanted Windows components (such as Xbox) from the machine.

We have not installed any apps other than those delivered with the machines.  We will do that later using LapLink PCMover.

Key components of each new workstation are:

• Windows 11 Pro 24H2,
• Intel Core i7-14700 Processor vPro Enterprise (2.1 GHz, up to 5.4 GHz w/Boost, 33 MB cache, 20 core, 65W) + Intel UHD Graphics 770,
• 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-4800 UDIMM Memory [upgraded to 32 GB (2 x 16 GB)],
• 256 GB PCIe 4×4 2280 Value M.2 SSD [upgraded to two 2TB WD-Black SSDs (SN850X)],
• NVIDIA T400 (4 GB GDDR6, 3 x Mini DisplayPort) Graphics,
• Operating System Loaded to M.2,
• Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 + Bluetooth 5.4 (no-vPro), and
• 5mm SuperMulti DVDRW Optical Disc Drive.

So, can we simply clone the configured C drive of the first machine onto new SSDs and install them in the remaining workstations that are in line for setup?

Or will we run into a problem with incompatible Windows serial numbers?

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

The great unknown is if the Windows serial number contained on the original C drive will be compatible on the other HP machines.

Retail Windows licensing is transferable.  OEM licensing is not.  Whether of not the PC’s would be able to sort themselves out (one at a time) with a couple of reboots to activate is the question.  My gut says “probably”, but that’s just not reliable enough for your situation.

The clones will most likely boot and run Windows 11 Pro, but may not activate.  What I suggest is that you find the product key for each of the PC’s before any transfer of drives and record it, then after installing the cloned drive, replace the product key with the original for that particular PC.  You can get ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store.

My license is retail, so this example doesn’t show an OEM key.  My retail key is located at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform.  An OEM key might be in that location, but I don’t know.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

5 users thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens, RetiredGeek, windbg, TechTango, Alex5723

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You can also find a computer’s Windows product key using Belarc Advisor.

The key is listed under Software Licenses.

https://www.belarc.com/products/belarc-advisor

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Belarc Advisor also discloses prior Microsoft – Windows licenses once installed on a computer.

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

Belarc Advisor also discloses prior Microsoft – Windows licenses once installed on a computer.

You won’t be able to install Belarc Advisor without turning on the machine for the first time.  That conflicts with this:

Kathy Stevens wrote:

Our intent is to remove the SSD containing Windows that shipped with the computer and replace it with a cloned SSD containing Windows from an identically configured PC before turning the machine on for the first time.

Once you turn on the machine so that you can install Belarc Advisor, you’ll first have to go through the OOBE for that machine.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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bberran

We have no intention of starting up the second computer from the 256 GB M.2 SSD, containing Windows 11, that shipped with the workstation in question.

Our plan is to remove the 256 GB SSD prior to initial startup and replace it with a cloned 2TB SSD containing the Windows configuration and apps (including Belarc Advisor) installed on an identical workstation that is already up and running.

Then the second PC will undergo its initial startup from the cloned drive

Hopefully during initial startup process, the second machine will recover the Windows 11 activation key that was preinstalled on it by HP.

Then, if all goes well, we can use Belarc to identify the product key assigned to Windows on the second PC and compare it to the key assigned to Windows on the first workstation.

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

Hopefully during initial startup process, the second machine will recover the Windows 11 activation key that was preinstalled on it by HP. Then, if all goes well, we can use Belarc to identify the product key assigned to Windows on the second PC and compare it to the key assigned to Windows on the first workstation.

It is my understanding that the key is stored in the BIOS/UEFI, from where it will be retrieved during activation online.

“If you have setup your HP desktop and gone online, the product activation key is now stored on a Microsoft activation server.

It is permanently associated with your PC’s specific motherboard.

You will not need it even if you perform a clean installation.

After the clean installation when you go online, the OS will be automatically activated without requiring any input from you.”

Good luck.  After OOBE, in retail Windows the Product Key is stored in the registry, as well as the Microsoft activation servers.  I don’t know if the same is true for OEM, as I only use retail.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

2 users thanked author for this post.

PL1, Kathy Stevens

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bbearren wrote:

You can get ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store

You can get a portable version from here : https://showkeyplus.net/

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Alex5723

According to ShowKeyPlus, “If you bought a new PC running Windows, the product key will be pre-installed on your PC and included in the firmware for Windows 8, 10, or 11 ….”

https://showkeyplus.net/

That answers part of my question.  I can recover the Windows 10 product key from a workstation’s firmware.

However, is it ok to install a cloned copy of Windows 11 onto a different computer than the one that it was setup on?

Will the cloned operating system boot and run on the second computer as is or will we have to recover the product key after starting up the second computer the first time?

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

TechTango

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

However, is it ok to install a cloned copy of Windows 11 onto a different computer than the one that it was setup on?

Yes, if it’s the same version of Windows.

Kathy Stevens wrote:

Will the cloned operating system boot and run on the second computer as is or will we have to recover the product key after starting up the second computer the first time?

The cloned operating system will boot and run.  More than likely it will even activate after a reboot or two, since it is the same version of Windows that was OEM installed on the machine.  But “Better safe than sorry” means getting the product key in advance, just in case.

I have moved retail Windows on a number of occasions on a number of machines (hardware upgrades, etc.) since I first upgraded to Windows 8.  The activation process for retail is Windows “phoning home” to Microsoft to see if it is a legitimate retail product key.

In the same way, I think that the booted cloned Windows will check with Microsoft to see if the hardware signature of the machine matches a legitimate hardware signature for that version of OEM Windows.  It might take a couple of restarts, but I think it will work.  But, again, “Better safe than sorry” means getting the product key in advance, just in case.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

2 users thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens, TechTango

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bberren

When it comes to “Better safe than sorry”, is it possible to get the Windows 11 Pro product key from a new computer prior to setting up the operating system for the first time?

Our intent is to remove the SSD containing Windows that shipped with the computer and replace it with a cloned SSD containing Windows from an identically configured PC before turning the machine on for the first time.

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Do the new machines not have a Microsoft sticker that shows the Product Key?

Kathy Stevens wrote:

When it comes to “Better safe than sorry”, is it possible to get the Windows 11 Pro product key from a new computer prior to setting up the operating system for the first time?

In order to get the product key from a new computer, you’ll need to go through the OOBE on that computer in order to install ShowKeyPlus to get the product key.  Then power down, and swap out the SSD for your clone.  I suggest using the same account name that you used in the OOBE when you setup your SSD to clone.

Kathy Stevens wrote:

Our intent is to remove the SSD containing Windows that shipped with the computer and replace it with a cloned SSD containing Windows from an identically configured PC before turning the machine on for the first time.

While there are ways to get the product key from a PC that has not been turned on for the first time (OfflineRegistryView, among others), it would involve putting that SSD in a drive dock and using such tools to find the key at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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This is a duplicate of #2725637

cheers, Paul

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Paul T

Yes it is but I am looking for some fresh eyes on the topic before moving forward.

Better safe than sorry.

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Please let us know it’s a duplicate so we don’t repeat answers already given.
The same applies if you post on another site.

cheers, Paul

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Kathy Stevens wrote:

According to ShowKeyPlus, “If you bought a new PC running Windows, the product key will be pre-installed on your PC and included in the firmware for Windows 8, 10, or 11 ….”

The new Windows on the SSD will pick up the activation key coming preinstalled on the HP.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Kathy Stevens

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Thanks Alex.

That is good news. and will make the job of setting up additional computers much easer.

Thanks again

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Alex5723

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How do you know? Tested, read about it?

cheers, Paul

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