If I Change My Hard Drive Do I Need to Buy Windows Again?
My current drive is too small in size, which is causing my computer to run slow. I want to buy a new one to change it. Do I have to buy another Windows 10 license when I install a new hard disk? Or is there a better way to solve this problem? Thanks!
Best Answered by
Jerry· Answered on Jan 21, 2026
You don't need to purchase a new Windows if you only change the hard drive.
You can reinstall Windows 10 anytime for no cost except your time. Since you had Windows 10 installed previously, it won't be a problem for activation. If you have a retail license for Windows, you can jump through a few steps and use it on the new hardware configuration.
Skip the steps when it asks you for a license during installation, and then select the option "I am reinstalling Windows 10 on this PC". A digital entitlement will be saved on the Microsoft Activation Server for your PC.
You can find the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and the latest Windows 10 ISO. Select "Create Installation Media for Another PC" and create a bootable USB drive (at least 8GB) with the tool. Then, set the USB drive in the boot order of your BIOS as the priority and start the installation.
Note: It will be a different case if you are also planning to replace the CPU or motherboard. You won't be able to activate Windows on the new hardware if it's an OEM version in this case.
You can also download disk cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy, which is an easier and faster way to migrate Windows OS from one hard drive to another. You don't have to reinstall the operating system during the process. However, you should always back up the important files before cloning to avoid unexpected data loss.
If you choose EaseUS Disk Copy as your solution, below is a related post for you to learn the detailed steps.
Related article: [Solved] How to Move OS to Another Drive Without Reinstalling Windows and Applications
Download the smartest and easiest Disk Cloning Software
Use EaseUS Disk Copy to upgrade small HDD, replace old/failed hard drive, migrate OS, clone HDD to SSD without reinstalling data.
Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7
People Also Ask
How Do I Upgrade My Hard Drive to SSD Without Reinstalling Windows?
Are you trying to upgrade your hard drive to SSD without reinstalling the Windows operating system? Look no further, this post will give you a direct answer to do it easily and effectively.
Larissa
Jan 21, 2026
Does WD My Passport Have Backup Software?
Does WD My Passport have backup software? Do you want to know the answer? This short post will explain WD My Passport comes with backup software and introduce an excellent backup tool named EaseUS Todo Backup to you.
Jerry
Jan 21, 2026
How to Clone a Hard Drive with EaseUS Todo Backup
EaseUS Todo Backup is an excellent data backup and restore program. And it also has a hard drive cloning feature to move data on your HDD/SSD to another drive with ease. Don’t know how to use it? It is very simple to operate. Follow the steps in the post to clone your hard drive with EaseUS Todo Backup.
Larissa
Jan 21, 2026
What Software Do I Need to Clone My Hard Disk to an SSD Without Losing the OS and Other Files?
What software do I need to clone my hard disk to an SSD without losing the OS and other files? Are you curious about the answer? This article will tell which tool do you need to clone your hard drive to another without data loss and OS reinstallation.
Jerry
Jan 21, 2026
Does a Clean Install of Windows Wipe All Drives?
Does a clean install of Windows wipe all drives? Do you want to know the answer? Do you want to know the answer? This article will explain whether a clean installation of Windows will wipe all drives and offer a tool named EaseUS Todo Backup to protect your data on drives.
Jerry
Jan 21, 2026
What's the Fastest Way to Transfer Data Between Two Hard Drives?
Transferring data from one hard drive to another is commonplace when replacing a drive. But what's the fastest way to transfer data between two hard drives? You can find your answer in this post.
Jerry
Jan 21, 2026
