How to Transfer OEM Windows 10 to New Hard Drive [2025 Guideline]

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer ) Windows 10 is a Microsoft Operating System installed on the hardware of a new computer. It is the upgraded version of the Microsoft Windows NT Operating System for consumers. Every Original Equipment Manufacturer version has its unique license key, which works only on the computer on which it was registered. The Windows License Key, otherwise known as the OEM key, is tied to the hardware (motherboard) of the computer.

However, there may be a need to transfer the OEM if the system is slow in processing, has an outdated operating system, or has a smaller storage capacity, thus raising a need to transfer OEM Windows 10 to a new hard drive. In this case, ensure you do not change the motherboard of the PC. This post from EaseUS will tell you how to transfer OEM Windows 10 to new hard drive. Read on!

Is It Possible to Transfer OEM Windows 10 to New Hard Drive

Yes, you can, but on the condition that you do not change the motherboard of your PC. The OEM Windows 10 License is not transferrable to another computer but can be transferred to a new hard drive. For example, you can move the OEM Windows 10 from HDD to SSD with the same motherboard.

Hence, every OEM Windows 10 is unique because OEM Windows 10 is tied to the OEM key of the motherboard of the computer on which it was activated. Generally, motherboards are designed to work with specific processors and memory. If the motherboard is changed, the OS will not work.

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How to Transfer OEM Windows 10 to A New Hard Drive

With the need for a large storage capacity, quick or better computer system performance, or upgrading of the operating system, OEM Windows 10 can be transferred to a new hard drive. It should be transferred in cases like these. But the possibility of a successful transfer of OEM Windows 10 to a new HDD depends on getting a reliable hard disk cloning tool like EaseUS Disk Copy.

EaseUS Disk Copy is indispensable for those who would like to successfully transfer OEM Windows to another hard drive because of its numerous exceptional features.

• It can transfer Windows 10 from an HDD to an SSD without losing data. 
• It can help migrate your data from one computer to another without trouble.
• It carries out disk cloning, which reduces the task of transferring data and programs one after the other to a new hard drive. 
• It allows users to create a WinPE bootable disk and resize the disk partition during cloning.

EaseUS Disk Copy can suit your every need of cloning, migrating, or copying data from one hard drive to another. Feel safe and secure to download and use it on your computer.

Follow the steps below to transfer OEM Windows 10 to a new hard drive:

Prior Notice:

• The "Sector by sector copy" asks the size of your destination disk to be at least equal to or larger than that of the source disk. Leave this feature unchecked if you wish to clone a larger hard disk to a smaller hard disk.
• All data on the destination disk will be completely erased, so take care.

Step 1. To start copying/cloning an entire disk to another, choose this disk as the source disk under "Disk Mode" and click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the other disk as the destination disk.

Step 3. Check the disk layout of the two disks. You can manage the disk layout of the destination disk by selecting "Autofit the disk", "Copy as the source" or "Edit disk layout". 

• "Autofit the disk" makes some changes by default on the destination disk layout so that it can work at its best status.
• "Copy as the source"does not change anything on destination disk and the layout is the same as source disk.
• "Edit disk layout" allows you to manually resize/move partition layout on this destination disk.

Tick the "Check the option if the target is SSD" option to put your SSD in its best performance.

A message now appears, warning you that data will be lost. Please confirm this message by clicking "OK" and then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to officially execute the task.

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The Concluding Thoughts

Transferring OEM Windows 10 to a new hard drive is possible on the condition that you do not change the motherboard of your PC. This transfer can be done using a reliable hard disk cloning tool like EaseUS Disk Copy, which provides numerous exceptional features such as system backup, protection from ransomware and virus infections, active system connection, and so on. It can help you transfer OEM Windows 10 to new computer without trouble.

FAQS

Although EaseUS Disk Copy is very easy to use when transferring OEM Windows10 to another hard drive, here are common or probable questions that you may have:

1. Can I transfer OEM Windows 10 to a new hard drive?

Yes. OEM Windows 10 can be transferred to a new hard drive on the condition that important hardware components, such as the motherboard, are not changed. OEM Windows 10 works only on the OS on which it was first registered.

2. Can the OEM key be transferred?

No, it cannot. The OEM key, the Window license, is registered or tied to the computer's motherboard on which it was first activated. Therefore, it cannot be transferred.

3. Can I use Windows 10 OEM on another computer?

No, it cannot be used. They are specific for only one computer. The license dies when the original motherboard dies.

4. Are OEM licenses tied to the motherboards?

Yes, they are. OEM licenses are tied and registered to the motherboard of the computer it was first activated in.