Share via

Can I use a system image to restore Windows 10 on different but hardware wise identical laptop?

Anonymous
2021-02-16T10:45:58+00:00

Hi,

I just bought a new laptop and installed Windows 10 Pro.  Unfortunately the battery is defect and I will receive a new Laptop from the dealer.

Can I use a system image to restore Windows 10 on this laptop? This laptop will have the exact same hardware.  Reason is of course that I installed a lot of different software/apps and don't want to go through the hassle again.

I now that system backup is intended to be used on the same device, however I have some hope, because I once had a similar problem and what I did, was at that time to transfer the hard drive from the old laptop to the new laptop. That worked like a charm.

Thank you!

Sharon

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

7 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-02-16T12:27:16+00:00

    Hi Dave,

    thank you for your follow up. It is a independent retail license, so I a am optimistic that the switch will work.

    Kind rgards,

    Sharon

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. VARADHARAJAN K 9,681 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-02-16T11:54:02+00:00

    yes you can install, if same hardware means

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. DaveM121 877.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-02-16T11:21:09+00:00

    Hi Sharon

    I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

    If you have created a full system image on the first device, and the second device is identical, then yes, you can restore that new laptop from the image you have created

    The only problem I could see with this process would be if any of the software you have installed on the original laptop is linked to the hardware ID of the original laptop, some software developers do that . . .

    Before you do that, on the new device make sure Windows 10 is activated to avoid any activation issues later on . . .

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-02-16T11:26:05+00:00

    Ok, perfect :) Thank you all. This is what I will do:

    1. Do a full system image on the defect laptop
    2. install windows on new laptop, reactivate the license from the old laptop (I have linked it to my Microsoft acocunt)
    3. load the system image

    I am curious, how smooth this will be  ;)

    Thx again and Bye :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Neil D 33,090 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-02-16T10:59:57+00:00

    I can't be absolutely sure but it should be okay on the same hardware.

    Does the new laptop have Windows 10 Home and you will restore Windows 10 Pro? was that the same situation on the previous laptop.

    Did you purchase a Windows 10 Pro upgrade via the Store from Windows 10 Home?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments