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In terms of -
a) technical and
b) licensing considerations, will it work? Obviously many drivers will be incorrect/missing but I'd have expected Windows was able to fix that. So will it run up and then complain or not work at all?
I have a disk with a Windows7 installation I don't want to lose, in a PC I do wish to get rid of. I don't really want to damage/risk the only copy (I have backups of the files, just not the installation) so perhaps I can easily clone the image and then try this with the clone while keeping the original safe?
The disk will work (with the odd driver to install). The problem arises from a licensing perspective because you will be using a different processor and motherboard. Technically a new PC. The license is probably OEM and is locked to the first machine (CPU/MoBo) it's installed to. You would need to buy a new license to be "legal". – Kinnectus – 2014-10-19T19:12:21.787
My PC didn't come with W7 - it's a separate copy. Is this one of those scenarios where you have to pick up the phone and call MS to ask them to transfer your license? – Mr. Boy – 2014-10-19T19:16:15.967
If it's a retail version then you should be able to reactivate - inevitably over the phone. Just so long as the previous machine doesn't have that particular licensed install of Windows when you re-use or sell on the machine. – Kinnectus – 2014-10-19T19:23:47.717