Clone to larger SSD or clean install of windows 10?

googler

Clean install, and keep the existing disk either in the PC, connected as a secondary drive, or in a drawer somewhere. 

You won't lose anything you've missed unless you delete it or dispose of the disc. So keep it.

wongataa

Langtang said:

Neil_Jones said:

Langtang said:

Carrot007 said:

neilmcl said:

Clean install every time.

I second this and would aslo say download the latest windows onto a usb stick and bin that disk you have unless you want to the pain of updates!

That sounds interesting! 

How do I go about doing that without having to pay for a new version of windows?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

And that would work with the code that is on my sticker? I always assumed the codes were specific to the discs.

The Windows install file is generic.  It always has been.  Computers with valid Windows installs are registered with Microsoft so if you replace the hard drive and reinstall all you do is let the computer reactivate and it will see that it already has a valid licence so will happily reactivate.

Neil_Jones

Langtang said:

Neil_Jones said:

Langtang said:

Carrot007 said:

neilmcl said:

Clean install every time.

I second this and would aslo say download the latest windows onto a usb stick and bin that disk you have unless you want to the pain of updates!

That sounds interesting! 

How do I go about doing that without having to pay for a new version of windows?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

And that would work with the code that is on my sticker? I always assumed the codes were specific to the discs.

All Windows Product Keys/Codes are generated via a mathematical algorithm (and starting with XP the hardware present for OEM installations has a bearing) and follow specific patterns depending on the version of Windows used.  The disks are immaterial to an extent for this purpose as they're just generic (as above).

Some manufacturers would provide a disk that you could use to reset the system which looked and behaved like a Windows install disk but never asked you for a key and never required activation either, providing it was still on the original hardware (or substantially the original hardware, primarily the motherboard).

What you refer to as "paying for a new version" is probably an OEM copy.  Technically speaking an OEM licence for Dell or whoever expires when the machines packs up and you're supposed to buy a new licence as the OEM one is no longer valid.  However what you're supposed to do and what you actually do are two entirely different things, and since it was also a requirement to have a product key stuck on the machine somewhere, it effectively cancelled the requirement of a new licence out, because there it is, we'll just use that and a telephone call would activate it.

Langtang

Neil_Jones said:

Langtang said:

Neil_Jones said:

Langtang said:

Carrot007 said:

neilmcl said:

Clean install every time.

I second this and would aslo say download the latest windows onto a usb stick and bin that disk you have unless you want to the pain of updates!

That sounds interesting! 

How do I go about doing that without having to pay for a new version of windows?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

And that would work with the code that is on my sticker? I always assumed the codes were specific to the discs.

All Windows Product Keys/Codes are generated via a mathematical algorithm (and starting with XP the hardware present for OEM installations has a bearing) and follow specific patterns depending on the version of Windows used.  The disks are immaterial to an extent for this purpose as they're just generic (as above).

  However what you're supposed to do and what you actually do are two entirely different things, and since it was also a requirement to have a product key stuck on the machine somewhere, it effectively cancelled the requirement of a new licence out, because there it is, we'll just use that and a telephone call would activate it.

Awesome, thanks for all the info and for taking the time to respond, it's very much apreciated.