Solved Use one system HDD (Win 8.1) in two computers

eriqx

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Hi,

I am planning to buy new desktop PC where I will install Windows 8.1 Pro (MSDNAA license) on 2,5" SSD. I need to travel from time to time and I wonder, if I can just take the system HDD (where OS is installed) from desktop and put in the notebook. Will it be possible to normally boot that notebook with my existing Windows account and continue to work on my projects? I will use this HDD in only those 2 computers. If yes, do I have to reactivate Windows on notebook? If I put HDD back to desktop, do I have to reactivate it again?

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 PRO
I would think its not legal as per the EULA. Activation could become an issue. It will likely fail on the second PC. Keep swapping back and forth and it could fail on both PC's. The other issue is the different hardware/drivers needed. I wouldn't do it. Do you have access to Windows 8.1 Enterprise? With that you can create a Windows To Go drive that can legally be used on multiple PC's. I do believe there are also some tutorials kicking around on how to make a non official version. I think jimbo45 wrote something up about that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
a) it's not legal and b) it won't work.

What you can do is install 8.1 under VMware Player (even on a Linux base) on an external SSD or a very fast flash drive (which is more expensive than a 60GB SSD). Then VMware Player becomes the home system for 8.1 and you then can run it off any PC that has VMware Player.

The advantage of that setup is that Linux as a base is free and you have to maintain only the one 8.1 on the SSD. If you attach the SSD to either eSata or USB3, the performance will be like from an internal SSD (very small degradation) and a lot faster than from an internal HDD.

A 60GB SSD plus a good enclosure will cost you appr. $80 - check Newegg, Amazon and TigerDirect on Black Friday.

Btw - I have that setup for 8.1, 10 and five Linux distros all running from one external SSD on my Windows 7 systems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Thanks for your answers.
I don't have access to windows enterprise so Windows To Go is no option for me.
VMware sounds promising. I will have to think it over. Another solution for me might be using portable applications as much as possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 PRO
Hi there

Another TWO possible alternatives

1) Get an ENTERPRISE version of W10 Tech PREVIEW and create a Windows to Go system on an external USB HDD / SSD - even an old laptop standard HDD is good enough --simply use a SATA==>USB connector. Response time is fine. The preview is FREE and lasts until April 2015.

2) Create a Portable Windows 8/8.1 system by running it as a VM off a bootable LINUX system (again install on an external SSD / HDD).

I made a thread about this a while ago.

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...make-portable-windows-system-any-version.html

BTW there's a FREE tool to create a VM from your running physical system - download from VMware.

VMware vCenter Converter: P2V Virtual Machine Converter | VMware United Kingdom

The chances are that you won't get asked for re-activation --if the VM requires re-activation activate by phone and simply say you've installed your PRO windows 8 system on another computer.

(Backup your existing system first if going down the Windows 10 Enterprise route to create your Windows to Go).

To create a Windows to Go system with Non certified devices i.e bog standard devices follow this link. The instructions for W10 are the same as W8.

Creating a Non-Certified Windows To Go USB Drive » ADMIN Magazine



Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH


Hi there.

Trouble with that is you DON'T (currently) get the ISO's any more for W8.1 and W10 - although I believe some people have posted methods of how to create them. TechNet (now almost defunct) subscribers and MSDN users I believe could get some ISO's but for the rest W8.1 wasn't readily available as an ISO.

For W10 I believe Ms is having a second thought so some isos *might* become available.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)


Hi there.

Trouble with that is you DON'T (currently) get the ISO's any more for W8.1 and W10 - although I believe some people have posted methods of how to create them. TechNet (now almost defunct) subscribers and MSDN users I believe could get some ISO's but for the rest W8.1 wasn't readily available as an ISO.

For W10 I believe Ms is having a second thought so some isos *might* become available.

Cheers
jimbo

You can get 8.1 ISO's here, all that is missing is Enterprise. Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help It's the new option 1 here, http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
Hi,
thanks once again, you guys are awesome.

I do actually have installation ISO of Windows 8.1 so that shouldn't be a problem.
So far, I like the most the Windows To Go solution. I will try it once I get my new desktop.
I have few question regarding WTG option.
How about the activation? I assume I would have to activate Windows once I put the WTG disk into another PC and boot it, right? Will Windows remember these activation or do I have to activate it every time I swap the HDD?
Correct me if I am wrong but according to DreamSpark EULA I can use two copies of this Windows (Installation and Use Rights. You may install and use two (2) copies of the DreamSpark Direct Subscription software on your devices (a) to support your education; (b) in non-commercial research; or (c) to design, develop, test, and demonstrate software programs for the above purposes.).
One more question, are there any limitations or disadvantages using WTG? I will be able to use all the computer's hardware, right? It's not some sort of virtualization. Finally, will I be able to see all the hard drives connected to the PC running WTG? I saw some video about WTG and they wasn't able to see another HDD's but that might be caused by using BitLocker.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 PRO
The WTG is not some sort of virtualization. And you have to activate it only once when you install it on the flasg drive. A little warning though - make sure you have a fast USB 3 flash drive. Else it might run like molasses. This one would be a good choice for a reasonable price.

PNY 128GB Turbo USB 3.0 Flash Drive Model P-FD128TBOP-GE - Newegg.com
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Well I am planning to install it on a regular SATA SSD disk. I hope that SATA is no problem for WTG.
Are you sure I have to activate it only once even if I don't have Enterprise license? I only have Pro licence.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 PRO
SSD is perfect and it will run on any PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Activation on the official Enterprise Windows To Go is not an issue as its intended to be used on multiple PC's. However, it could be an issue on a home grown version. 8 Core and 8 Pro are not meant to be used on multiple PC's using the same product code. Just so you know. Don't be surprised if activation fails at some point. I've only ever made an official WTG drive myself. Those that have made their own can give you more info on what might happen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I agree that there is that possibility for a home grown flash system. It could be that the OS goes south after 30 days.

In 2013 I had made that a fun project and ran it on several PCs. But I did not keep it long enough to check what would happen after 30 days. I just went thru my big box of flash drives trying to find that stick, but it was nowhere. Maybe I left it in Germany.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I have one I created on 8/22. I'll try it and see what happens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP h2207
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050@59Hz
    Hard Drives
    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
    2TB Seagate ST2000DM001 SATA-2;
    1.5TB Seagate ST3150041AS SATA
    PSU
    500W
    Keyboard
    Wired USB
    Mouse
    Wired USB
    Internet Speed
    3GB Up, 30GB Down
    Browser
    SeaMonkey
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender; MBAM Pro
    Other Info
    UEFI/GPT
    PLDS DVD-RW DH16AERSH
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