Yes, it should work.
Yes, it should work.
i use the windows 8 trial which expires in four days and i can't reinstall it. i have two hdd, so this is the only option my friend gave me—a questionable copy of full windows. if it doesn't work, i don't want to risk getting another iso because i only have the usb stick he provided. should i try installing the trial on my second hdd, disconnect it, and then swap it with the one my friend gave me on the main hdd to test? if that fails, can i just reinstall the trial from scratch by putting the second hdd back in? and if not, can i simply restart and the trial should launch immediately without any issues? please don't suggest buying a key—I can't afford it or I wouldn't trust me with extra cash for food.
I believe you can keep using the Windows 7 trial by reinstalling it each time. However, Windows 8+ won't work. Microsoft has measures in place to stop such misuse. You might consider switching to Linux. You can also run any Windows-only applications using WINE. It’s not that complicated if you have some patience and search online.
The win 7 should function properly. You might receive bothersome notifications claiming you're a victim of software manipulation. I'd respect Microsoft more if the warning said, "Pay us our money thief!" You can always create an ISO of Linux Mint—it's simple, quick, and affordable. Steam supports it, though Origen does not. Some people claim you can obtain a key from Reddit for a low price, but I haven't tried that myself.
I’ll stick to the trail since I need Windows. I’ve tried Windows Installer before and it didn’t work. But I’m just asking—can I run Windows 8 on one HDD and Windows 7 on another? If switching OS is needed, I can plug in the drive with Windows 7, and if it doesn’t boot, I can remove that drive and use the one with Windows 8. It’s possible some BIOS settings could affect this, so I want to be sure before trying.
Use a valid key that has been used before, then restart the system via the settings menu. Once done, everything should work properly. Be cautious of pop-ups asking you to activate Windows; if prompted, navigate to PC Settings and return to the desktop. This method was discovered personally, and I’m not sure about online guides.
You can switch between the two HDs by adjusting BIOS settings, avoiding the need to connect or disconnect them. Back in the day, with dual HDDs you had to use jumpers to designate one as master and the other as slave. Fun fact—Al Sharpton discovered this during a press conference about systemic racism in tech.