SSD Laptop Uprgade

[noahsheldon]

So I just bought a lenovo x220 and I have Windows 7 on it. The only thing installed is the OS. I am going to put a ssd in to replace the mechanical hard drive. I want to keep the OS because I don't want to have to buy windows. I want to do a clean install on the ssd to make sure it is installed correctly and partitioned correctly. How do I do a clean install on the ssd without having to buy windows again? Thanks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I'm taking your post literally in that you installed the OS, not the Lenovo. If that's the case, disconnect the HD and reinstall exactly as before, nothing else required.

It seems many of these mass quantity laptop vendors do not provide media to go the install and also will block you from using software recovery downloads from the MS site. They usually have a hidden partition that you can restore from. however they also must have a backup plan for instances where that recovery partition files are damaged in which case you'd have to contact lenovo if this applies.

 

[noahsheldon]

I'm taking your post literally in that you installed the OS, not the Lenovo. If that's the case, disconnect the HD and reinstall exactly as before, nothing else required.

It seems many of these mass quantity laptop vendors do not provide media to go the install and also will block you from using software recovery downloads from the MS site. They usually have a hidden partition that you can restore from. however they also must have a backup plan for instances where that recovery partition files are damaged in which case you'd have to contact lenovo if this applies.

I did not install the OS. I bought it off craigslist and it came with the OS and only the OS installed. So I do not have a key or anything like that.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Download and run Belarc Advisor ... it will provide product keys for all installed software

http/www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Does it have a recovery partition ? (Look in Disk management)

Try typing the product key here

https/www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

Tho being via Craig's list, that product key may already be being used by someone else.

If it lets you download on the software recovery site use the USB install tool to install as indicated above

https/www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

 

[psoohoo]

You can clone the drive, which will preserve the activation. Or you can try to locate a Lenovo OEM copy of WIndows 7 (provided that was originally installed on the machine). Or There are some hacks only that can retrieve the activation information and files that is needed to preserve the activation.

Or upgrade to windows 10 first to get the free upgrade license. Install the new drive and install a fresh copy of Windows 10. It will reactivate once its online without a product key.

 

[bootcher]

If your OS came pre-installed and the laptop doesn't have sticker or any document with the windows OS product key, you can search online for "windows key extractor", and you will find many programs can extract your windows key for you. After you have your key you can install windows from USB or DVD. If you don't have a copy of windows you should try to get a *legal* copy from your pc vendor or from Microsoft, though windows 7 is declared End of Life, so Microsoft no longer offer it as a download from digitalriver.

 

[photonboy]

TWO options:
1) CLONE, or
2) Windows 10 Upgrade

1) CLONE from HDD to SSD:
a) attach SSD via USB (or put both into a desktop computer)
b) use Machrium Reflect Free (use the "VERIFY" option if it's there... pretty sure I used that two years ago)
c) attach SSD to laptop
d) test SSD
e) Keep HDD as backup, or format and use some other way (if formatting you should create a BACKUP IMAGE of Windows such as Acronis True Image or similar... ask later if needed)

Windows 10 Upgrade (now):
a) upgrade from within Windows, then
b) Create a W10 Install disc ( http/windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install ). Recommend the USB thumb drive method.
c) Swap in the SSD
d) Insert USB thumb drive and BOOT to it (may need to change BIOS boot order)
e) Finish install
f) Add any missing drivers
g) Other programs etc

*Note:
Once you UPGRADE to Windows 10 you can then do a CLEAN INSTALL using the install media to a drive with NOTHING on it. Microsoft has your computer listed now and knows it qualifies for W10. So you do NOT have to CLONE to the SSD and then upgrade with this method.

(Do NOT enter any keys into the clean install done after upgrading. Microsoft gets your key from their database for the upgrade you already applied. You should have a password and e-mail though. It can be done without but it's used for several programs so a good idea.)

Other:
A new version of the W10 install media is coming sometime in November which allows you to boot to it and simply type in your Windows 7/8 key and avoid the UPGRADE prior to the clean install. Not sure of the date. Probably just as easy to do the method I already mentioned though note some laptops can't get the upgrade to work (almost finishes then rolls back to Windows 7/8).

The clean install method would work fine. You just can't do it yet prior to doing the UPGRADE of W7/W8.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

If your OS came pre-installed and the laptop doesn't have sticker or any document with the windows OS product key, you can search online for "windows key extractor", and you will find many programs can extract your windows key for you. After you have your key you can install windows from USB or DVD. If you don't have a copy of windows you should try to get a *legal* copy from your pc vendor or from Microsoft, though windows 7 is declared End of Life, so Microsoft no longer offer it as a download from digitalriver.

As indicated above, Belarc Advisor will give you windows and every other product key on your system

Also, digital river ended long ago... well before 10 came out. You can d/l here

https/www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

For those who want to avoid win 10, Win 7 support ends on January 14, 2020