How to transfer everything (files, pics, settings, bookmarks, pw etc.) but the OS to another PC? Rather have free software. But up to $40 wouldn't be bad.
Do you have the system folders: Downloads, Documents, Music, Video, Photos, Desktop In a non OS partition? That's part of the hard work done.
I am looking at PCmover Ultimate (Pro but with transfer cable). "PCmover Ultimate is the ONLY software that automatically moves your applications, files, settings, and even user profiles from an old PC to a new one, or old operating system to a new one. And because most transferred applications are installed ready-to-use on the new PC, there’s usually no need to find old CDs, previously downloaded programs, serial numbers or license codes.* PCmover Ultimate is the easiest way to restore or move to a new PC without leaving anything behind, even when there are different versions of Windows on the old and new PC. Nothing is changed on the old PC and nothing is overwritten on the new PC. PCmover is fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and 7. For more information, visit the user guide! *Applications may require re-entry of a license code or re-activating on the new PC. Certain system settings and applications may not be transferred due to their incompatibility with the operating system on the new PC." https://go.laplink.com/product/pcmover-ultimate
Don't make it more difficult that it has to be. Just image the current system with Hasleo, Macrium or IFW, then mount the image and transfer the data to the new system where it needs to be. That way you're guaranteed to have everything.
Can't immediately tell if this is meant to be taken as black humor or what you really mean? Or what licenses are you talking about? And if you want to clone your computer, it's your choice what you want to transfer from one machine to another and what not. However, it's worth remembering that on the second machine some programs still need to be reactivated and some even reinstalled. And you definitely need to reactivate both Windows and, for example, Microsoft Office, because they can only be reinstalled on the same hardware by cloning and they will remain activated. Or rather, they will be reactivated automatically after the first internet connection. But you also have to remember that all errors and problems will be transferred to the new machine in this case. And there are certainly quite a few of them on your old system. Do you really want to transfer them to the new one? I highly doubt it. At least some drivers and controllers also need to be updated, as both machines are unlikely to be 100% identical in details, for example do they have the same processors?
I want 2 PCs with 2 different serial keys. I know the serial on one. The other I don't. And I have tried 4 different methods to find the key, none returned the original. They all returned different keys. So I have zero confidence I can find the unknown key. That's why cloning/imaging doesn't serve my purpose.
Explaining to those saying I should clone/image my drive. That would be 1 key for 2 OS on 2 different PCs. I don't want that.
Why? What's the difference? It's seems like you're making this difficult on purpose. Also, if you use HBS there is no key since it's free.
That makes sense, but re-read what I initially said. I didn't say to clone your drive. I said to image it, mount that image, and extract what you need to onto the new system.
If that's the case, and assuming you mean OS settings, than there's really nothing other than imaging/cloning that will work. Given that, your best bet would be to clone the drive than change the key on the new one. But I think you'd be better of doing as I suggested, and not cloning. Otherwise your new system will have the old system's hardware info/drivers. Again, I suggest you do as I said; migrate the app settings but not the OS'
If it is Windows 10 or newer it should have an activation online with Microsoft. On a clean install you would not need to enter a key. Not sure what it does if you restore an image from a different machine. I'd think it would invalidate the key and pick up the original activation but I have never tried to find out. A quick googling gave me no answers. If it were me, I would image them both and try it. If it breaks activation restore the original and them find another way. If these are OEM machines I would expect it would pick up that activation and you should have no issues. I you built them then... maybe? If you have the capacity to image them both and it works it would save some time and effort. If it doesn't work there wouldn't be too much time lost and you could rule it out.
Both are W11P. A ThinkPad T540p (2013) I Rufused W11P & entered a key during install. Other is ThinkPad T15 Gen 2 (2021) came with W11P installed. I want to transfer everything (settings, files, pics, bookmarks, pw etc.) from old to new.
Am I dead? Seriously. Can everyone read what I type? Again, the ONLY way you're going to accomplish what you want, which is what everyone else keeps telling you is to image the old drive, mount that image and transfer over. This is only because of you're restrictions that rule out cloning or universal restoring. You can keep saying what you want to do as many times as you want, but there's only one way.
buy a license for pc mover. otherwise prepare for a lot of manual work. but for cloning - deactivate windows first https://www.minitool.com/news/how-to-deactivate-windows-10-11.html create image, restore image on new computer, reinstall for both its key. but this method contains the risk that different hardware may cause bsod because of wrong or outdated drivers.
@zapjb, let me clarify about licenses. Windows 11 and 10 are activated by digital licenses. That means once you have entered a key and successfully activated Windows, Microsoft stores your activation as a digital license on their servers. This license is tied to a particular PC based on the unique hardware ID generated by Windows for that PC. At this point your original product key is meaningless and you do not need it ever again. Since both your PC's are currently activated, so all you need to do is to transfer the Windows installation from the first PC to the second PC. Then on the second PC go to "Settings->System->Activation", Windows will inform you about activation failure and ask you to activate Windows. All you need at this point is to click on "Change product key" and enter the generic retail Windows 11 pro key freely available from Microsoft. Make sure you are connected to internet and reboot your PC. When Windows starts, it will find the original digital license for your second PC and activate it. You will still have two unique licenses for both PC's.
Hi @ Wilders I am going to have a related problem and would like some advice. I have a Desktop that was upgraded from Win 10 Home to Win 11 Home. although it was purpose built at a shop. The Microsoft label on the PC says Microsoft Windows Home For OEM. I now want migrate everything from the old Desktop PC to the new one using Hasleo Backup. I then want to keep both PC's running. So I assume there will be licence issues because it's an OEM not Retail? Questions 1) Can I keep the licence on the old PC? 2) If the new PC comes with an OEM licence for Windows 11 but is effectively overwritten by the migration, what happens and what should I legally do about it? 3) If the new PC doesn't come with a Windows 11 Home OS and licence what then happens and what do I do about it. If at all possible I want to avoid contacting Microsoft. I've heard some horror stories. In any event I want to be legal. It seems to me that the facility for migration has serious limitations because of licencing issues? Any advice gratefully received. Terry
OEM is bound to the hardware in most cases - and written into bios/EFI. but to continue you should start your own thread. this is about software and settings, and ofc user settings, not windows itself.
As long as both Windows are already activated there will be no issues. Migrate the old Windows to the new PC. Enter the Windows Home generic retail product key in the new PC. Reboot. Upon reboot when Windows connects with the activation server, it will find the digital OEM license associated with your hardware ID. It will download that to your PC and activate it as an OEM Windows Home.
Hello @ Wilders My thanks to Raza0007 the most helpful reply. Thank you @Brummelchen Lenovo says What is an Operating System (OS)? An OS or operating system is the fundamental software that allows us to interact with and use our computers and smartphones. With this powerful tool, you can juggle between applications, watching movies, writing documents and many other tasks. What OS you use makes a great difference in how your computer works. There are variations of operating systems available to choose from that vary greatly in look and feel." I also posted here because this thread had similar issues that I was asking advice about. If the MODERATOR disagrees with my view that this was a correct post, then I will happily bow to HIS advice and post where he suggests.
