Recently, my laptop died on me.

So, I plan to buy a new laptop with NO SSD/HDD and OS. And then I will move my previous SSD (contains Windows 10 - upgraded from Windows 8.1) to the new laptop and act as my primary drive.

Possible?

OEM or Box version of your Win 8.1?
If it is OEM, it is not legal to do so

definitely the activation will reset due to hardware changes.

you need to reactivate it again. but you don't have the windows 10 key.

so here's the possible solution.

1. install windows 8.1 on your new laptop and activate it.

2. upgrade it to windows 10.

3. to ensure everything smooth, clean install windows 10, no need key, skip windows key during installation, because in step 2, you already activated the windows 10 on your new laptop, microsoft keep a record on their server, you no need to reactivate again next time when format pc. (you can ignore this step if you lazy or feel not necessary.)

Previously, i bought Windows 8.1 from a seller from Lelong.com. OEM?

http://www.lelong.com.my/windows-8-pro-8-1...7-01-Sale-I.htm

This post has been edited by Jeffrey1987: Oct 14 2015, 04:51 PM

One stupid question. I now have the Windows 8.1 activation key. How I can get the Windows 10 key?

read clearly, "but you don't have the windows 10 key".

for windows that upgraded to windows 10, that pc no need windows 10 key for next time activation when reinstall windows.

mirosoft keep the activation on their server edi.

you don't. the upgrade path of w10 upgrade doesn't involve distribution of w10 key. future fresh installs after successful upgrade is keyless.

yes there are problems with the current way of doing things for w10 upgrade. with the new insider preview (build 10565), you will be able to use keys from old windows versions to activate w10. that means in near future (like november this year, according to this one, http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/details...ion-threshold-2 ), when you do a clean install with the latest build from ms (th2), as long as you have legit old windows keys, you can use that to activate w10.

Thanks guys for all the awesome feedbacks!