Switching OS hard drive without reinstall?

[tigerbait]

System has a 120GB SSD with Windows 7. I want to use the SSD in a laptop whose HDD just crashed. I'll eventually get a new SSD for desktop. I know that when you install an SSD you want to reinstall Windows so it can enable certain things specific to an SSD.

My question...can I clone the 120GB SSD to a 500GB HDD without issue? I know a fresh install is always the best idea, but seeing as the rest of the hardware will be the same, can I get by without it?

 

[denis280]

ok if i understand.you want to put your ssd from your desktop into the laptop.if the chipset are the sames.it should work.and for cloning no problem its all your stuff going into your desktop.windows will do the rest.(but make sure the chipset are the same)

 

[play]

I've had issues with Windows validation when moving a HDD from one system to another. Nothing that a phone call to M$ couldn't solve though.

 

[KGB]

If I understand you correctly, you want to replace the SSD in the laptop with a HD and clone over the installation.

Yes, get an external enclosure and use something like Acronis True Image.