New SSD, fresh installation, but old license?
New SSD, fresh installation, but old license?
You can use the existing Windows license key for your new SSD installation. It doesn’t need to be changed unless you’re upgrading the license type. Just ensure the key is valid for your current Windows version.
For Windows 10, simply install it from a USB drive and it will activate automatically. You can find instructions at the provided link, or follow a similar method but replace the SSD with another drive before installation.
Only Windows 8 and newer devices connect through the BIOS/UEFI. If it was already configured this way, you generally don’t need to fret. When prompted for the activation key during a reinstall, select "Skip This Step" and it will display as active after the install. If you’re using Windows 7 or earlier, ensure you still possess the key. For OEM units, activation may work automatically as long as no other components were altered.