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Using image on a different brand

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Hi. I have an existing image from my c-drive of my Huawei MateBook X Pro 2020.

Can I reuse my image on a different brand like Dell or Lenovo?

I assume there will be issues with drivers and maybe also Windows versions like Home vs. Pro license?

Or - is there a way of backing up all the user settings only before I switch computer?

Br.

Claus

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Claus, welcome to these public User Forums.

The initial answer is yes, providing you have a full disk image that includes the hidden/system partitions that are required by Windows to boot correctly.

The caveats to this answer is that differences in hardware will come into play and will determine how much extra work may be needed, especially if migrating to different types of disk drive and controller, as well as if changing from MBR to GPT (Legacy BIOS to UEFI).

Windows 10 is far better at accommodating this type of change than earlier versions but if it cannot do so, then Acronis Universal Restore will be needed to help identify and provide any further device drivers that are required.

Windows activation will depend on you license and edition.  If your old laptop is activated for say Windows 10 Home then this is what you will be taking to the new laptop.  If that new laptop comes with a license for Windows 10 Pro, then ensure that it has been activated before bringing over your old OS to it, which should allow you to activate the Pro version again.

With Acronis, it has to be all data on the drive being migrated, you cannot just bring applications though you can make a backup of all your user data via a Files & Folders backup.

Hi Steve and thanks for the welcome.

 

So it seems that I can reuse my image as it is full, as you describe.

 

I don’t mind downloading a few new drivers and tweak a bit of settings on the new computer. I just couldn’t bear to start all over setting up everything and installing all my software again.

 

Thanks for the answer.

 

Br.

 

Claus

Thanks again Steven.

I will now buy my new computer and reuse my image using the documents you linked to.

Br.

Claus 

Claus, one further comment, if your new computer comes with a copy of Windows installed, then activate this and take a full backup of it before attempting to restore your backup from the old PC.  This is you way of getting back to base if the migration doesn't give you all you expect!