Cloning HDD to SSD and WIndows 8.1 activation

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I have a new Dell laptop -- had it for about a month. It came with Windows 8 and I upgraded to Windows 8.1. Windows was activated. All my apps and data are installed and everything was running fine.

But the 11TB 5400 RPM HDD was slow. So I upgraded -- replaced the HDD with a 1TB Samsung EVO SSD.

I upgraded my TIH to TIH 2014 Update 1 (6614). Then I proceeded to clone the HDD to the SSD. Then installed and booted the SSD. Of course I also ran Samsung Magician afterwards to set a few params for the SSD.

All went well, except that the Windows activation did not carry across. And I had to get on the phone with Microsoft to resolve.

Any idea why the Windows 8 activation did not carry across with the clone operation? Supposedly the activation is tied to the motherboard, and of course that did not change. Is this a gap in TIH 2014?

Thanks in advance!

Lun, 12/16/2013 - 16:31
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I was just advised by Acronis Technical Support that when cloning a Windows 8.1 hard drive where Windows 8.1 is fully activated on the running system (in my case cloning from HDD to SSD or from SSD to HDD) and installing the cloned copy back into the exact same PC in place of the original drive, that Acronis can not guarantee that the cloned drive will have Windows 8 activated like the original. Even when using TIH 2014 (the version certified on Windows 8/8.1).

My direct experience bore this out and was followed by a 30 minute phone call to Microsoft to get the cloned copy activated. But I was certainly hoping Acronis recognized this defect and had a solution either available or in the works or planned.

Instead I was told first it was a Microsoft problem and second it was because I had cloned from a HDD to SSD. People change drives all the time -- even my daily backup over the last 3 years using TIH 2010 and TIH 2011 have used a variety of drives from different manufacturers, different sizes, etc. Never a problem putting a cloned copy in the same PC in place of the original and immediately having it fully functional.

Based on the info from Tech Support that Acronis can not provide this capability in TIH 2014 for Windows 8, which means I will need to find another backup solution for my company. 30 minute phone calls with Microsoft every time is not an acceptable solution. And to have Acronis Tech Support tell me its a Microsoft problem means they have missed the point -- for me, it's not worth buying additional copies or upgrades of Acronis if they cannot resolve this. I do appreciate that Microsoft controls the activation code, but it seems that Acronis owes a clear statement of this to potential buyers of its software for Windows 8/8.1 and actually might want to resolve it to increase the value to the customer of their solution.

Just wanted to be sure other users are aware of this limitation.

Mer, 12/18/2013 - 02:04
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Hi PineTreeRR

I am aware of this but i would not say thats no limitation of ATI2014.

Windows checks serveral components of your hardware and, if key components are changed you will be forced to reactivate your product.
System Disk is a key component.

I would wonder if you will ever find a alternative backup sollution that will solve that issue.

S22

Mer, 12/18/2013 - 18:05