“If you clone the OS hard drive, will Windows require a new license?”

Posted on by Fred Langa

Probably not.

The Windows license process generates a unique numeric ID or “score” for your PC’s specific hardware configuration and copy of Windows.

Microsoft knows that PCs get upgraded, so the system is flexible enough to allow the score to change, some, without triggering a need to re-license.

For example, you usually can upgrade your PC’s RAM or hard drive without triggering a re-license request.

This would include changing to a new drive whose content was cloned from the old. If the new, cloned drive is in the same PC as before, it probably won’t trigger any license issues.

But if you put the cloned drive into a different PC, then the hardware score would be very different, and you’ll likely get a re-licencing request.

Similarly, the licensing servers may complain if the same copy of Windows reports in from two different PCs. That’s not kosher.

But normal upgrades and maintenance are hardly ever a problem. Upgrade away!

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2 Replies to ““If you clone the OS hard drive, will Windows require a new license?””

    1. Well, it depends. And “requires a new license” doesn’t necessarily mean *buying* a new one; Microsoft’s end-user Activation Troubleshooter will often re-issue a new license key, provided that the activation issue is due to clear and legitimate issues, such as upgrades.

      But: It depends. Alas, there’s no true-all-the-time answer.

      Thanks for writing!

      Reply

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