Windows 10 Pro on a new drive?

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I need help on a Windows 10 licensing/install issue. I have Windows Pro 8.1 running on a 180GB SSD, and I’m running out of elbow room. Before I upgrade/update to Windows 10, I’d like to get a bigger SSD. What is the path of least resistance where Windows licensing is concerned? Must I install 8.1 Pro on the new SSD first to qualify for Windows 10 Pro? Or can I start fresh on the new SSD with Windows 10 (and still get the free upgrade)?

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As I understand the process for the free upgrade to Win10 one does have to have a working Win7 or Win8.1 installed and fully up to date. After the upgrade has been accomplished it appears one can do subsequent clean reinstalls.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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As you have a working copy of Windows, now is the time to test cloning.
Install the new disk alongside the existing and use one of the many free backup / image / clone programs to clone it, then disconnect the old drive, connect the new drive to the old drive SATA cable and boot. You can always go back to the old drive if required.

cheers, Paul

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+1 for Paul’s remark. Don’t do multiple big changes at once. Take care of the hardware now so you know you’ve got a good running system before upgrading the OS.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks for the cloning advice. I would not have thought of that. Now to select and order the SSD.

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Saw a 250GB Samsung 850 EVO on sale at Newegg for $110 USD. NOTE: Newegg prices change fairly quickly.

Joe

--Joe

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Saw a 250GB Samsung 850 EVO on sale at Newegg for $110 USD…

Have seen 480GB SSDs for about US$180

If OP is running out of freespace on a 180GB SSD it would make more sense to spend a few extra dollars and get a much larger SSD.

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Progress Report: I purchased a larger SSD (Transcend Information 256 GB SATA III) from Amazon ($90) and hooked it into my computer to make a clone from the C-drive. Ooops. I forgot that this Intel board has a defect. I cannot run more than one hard drive at a time. I know, someone here can probably solve the problem, but I’ve wrestled with it in past years and I’m done wasting time. So I made the bold move. I bought a new motherboard (ASUS P8B75-m/CSM — Intel B75 Chipset) from TigerDirect ($80) that is compatible with my CPU.

Right now I’m doing virtual cartwheels. In just two hours I replaced the old motherboard, and everything is working perfectly. Oh, the days I’ve spent toiling over a motherboard replacement in years and decades past. Oh the pain. Oh the mess spread across the dining room table for weeks. Oh how glad my wife is that she doesn’t have to go through that this time. Now I’ll see tomorrow if I can get this hard drive added and cloned. All on the march to being ready for Windows 10.

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Thanks for the update. Glad it has gone well so far. Keep up apprised.

Joe

--Joe

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Further Progress: And the march forward to Win 10 readiness continues! New motherboard galdly accommodates multiple hard drives (imagine that). Cloning of old drive using Acronis successful. Now operating off of new drive. There were a few snorts and wheezes from Norton, MS Office, Roboform and Adobe Acrobat concerning licensing, but now everybody is happy. It did take a couple of restarts to finally get things to settle down.

Windows 10, here I come!
41287-gonzo

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http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki/insider_wintp-insider_install/how-to-create-an-installation-dvd-or-usb-for-build/94ed9bb0-e638-4d7e-9678-7f45c8666013?OCID=WIP_r_Body_Wiki
This will enable you to try out W10 – Insider program.

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I need help on a Windows 10 licensing/install issue. I have Windows Pro 8.1 running on a 180GB SSD, and I’m running out of elbow room. Before I upgrade/update to Windows 10, I’d like to get a bigger SSD. What is the path of least resistance where Windows licensing is concerned? Must I install 8.1 Pro on the new SSD first to qualify for Windows 10 Pro? Or can I start fresh on the new SSD with Windows 10 (and still get the free upgrade)?

Read this for licensing/install: http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/22/8826117/microsoft-forced-to-explain-who-really-gets-windows-10-for-free

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