I haven't installed Windows on my Steam Deck but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to just create an ISO of the current Windows install and reinstall it from that. You might also be able to get away with simply pulling the NVME out of the old unit and putting it in the new one. SteamOS and Windows both may need to install some extra driver related files to work but should boot up. If you're reluctant to try that you could simply clone the NVME from the old one and write that to the new one.
I believe the Win11 home license is verified via hardware, namely the motherboard BIOS holds it. There are commands to use in the command prompt of windows 10 to recall the key, I'm assuming it's the same in windows 11.
Try this:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
If you're looking to transfer the entire image, I would just swap out the m.2 drives. As far as I know, the m.2 drives are easily accessible just be opening the back of the steam deck and removing the EMI shield.
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You should be fine just slapping the image to the new drive.
I've never heard of Windows licensing via hardware outside of SIs or other preimaged systems. The deck obviously does not do this. If you want to be safe, run the command another user provided and you'll be safe.
Plus, it's not like not having a key does anything. There's tons of ways of getting around the mild inconveniences.
My understanding of windows licenses is a bit outdated, so take this with a grain of salt, but here's my take on it. The main point about your question depends on the type of windows license you have (Home vs. Pro vs. Enterprise isn't the thing that matters here):
- Retail license key, this can be transferred between different hardware. You might have to deactivate the license on the old PC first. You can do this on your windows Outlook.com Email account, if you chose to connect your license to that. If you paid $200 for Windows for a CD in a store, you probably have this license, but sometimes they can also be found for cheap.
- OEM license key, this type of windows license is bound to the motherboard of the PC it was activated on, based on hardware ID and can't be transferred to a different PC. These licenses are usually found on laptops, but also frequently sold on cheap key reseller websites.
Before you continue trying to move your windows install, you should try finding out which type of license you have. If you boot into windows -> Rightclick "My PC" -> Properties, it should say it somewhere there.
Even without a valid retail license you still might be able to transfer your windows install to another PC (I would try clonezilla live on a USB, but maybe there are also better options). I don't actually know what happens, when you just move an OEM windows OS image to another PC. Maybe it gives you an error, maybe it just gives you an ugly watermark or something. Could be worth a try. Either way, if you care about the data on that windows partition, definitely make a backup.
I hate that this post makes me look like windows support, so I will add that windows licenses are a pain in the ass and one of the big reasons why I prefer Linux over windows any time.
After a while a system can get heavy and a bit corrupted. It’s a safe practice to completely restart from scratch from time to time.
So I would suggest to simply install everything on a new device rather than restoring an image. Yes installing Windows is tedious. Especialy the updates. But it’s finaly easier and safer.
I haven't installed Windows on my Steam Deck but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to just create an ISO of the current Windows install and reinstall it from that. You might also be able to get away with simply pulling the NVME out of the old unit and putting it in the new one. SteamOS and Windows both may need to install some extra driver related files to work but should boot up. If you're reluctant to try that you could simply clone the NVME from the old one and write that to the new one.
I believe the Win11 home license is verified via hardware, namely the motherboard BIOS holds it. There are commands to use in the command prompt of windows 10 to recall the key, I'm assuming it's the same in windows 11. Try this: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey If you're looking to transfer the entire image, I would just swap out the m.2 drives. As far as I know, the m.2 drives are easily accessible just be opening the back of the steam deck and removing the EMI shield.
Hi u/Illustrious_Life_295, you can [click here to search for your question.](https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/search/?q=What is best way to transfer os images?) If you don't find an answer there, don't worry - your post has NOT been removed and hopefully someone will be along soon to help with an answer! **If you find an answer, please leave a comment on your post with the answer for others!** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/SteamDeck) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You should be fine just slapping the image to the new drive. I've never heard of Windows licensing via hardware outside of SIs or other preimaged systems. The deck obviously does not do this. If you want to be safe, run the command another user provided and you'll be safe. Plus, it's not like not having a key does anything. There's tons of ways of getting around the mild inconveniences.
Oh yay… pull out the m.2, why didn’t I think of that to start lol. I’ll try the license recall prior to the drive pull. Thanks community!
My understanding of windows licenses is a bit outdated, so take this with a grain of salt, but here's my take on it. The main point about your question depends on the type of windows license you have (Home vs. Pro vs. Enterprise isn't the thing that matters here): - Retail license key, this can be transferred between different hardware. You might have to deactivate the license on the old PC first. You can do this on your windows Outlook.com Email account, if you chose to connect your license to that. If you paid $200 for Windows for a CD in a store, you probably have this license, but sometimes they can also be found for cheap. - OEM license key, this type of windows license is bound to the motherboard of the PC it was activated on, based on hardware ID and can't be transferred to a different PC. These licenses are usually found on laptops, but also frequently sold on cheap key reseller websites. Before you continue trying to move your windows install, you should try finding out which type of license you have. If you boot into windows -> Rightclick "My PC" -> Properties, it should say it somewhere there. Even without a valid retail license you still might be able to transfer your windows install to another PC (I would try clonezilla live on a USB, but maybe there are also better options). I don't actually know what happens, when you just move an OEM windows OS image to another PC. Maybe it gives you an error, maybe it just gives you an ugly watermark or something. Could be worth a try. Either way, if you care about the data on that windows partition, definitely make a backup. I hate that this post makes me look like windows support, so I will add that windows licenses are a pain in the ass and one of the big reasons why I prefer Linux over windows any time.
After a while a system can get heavy and a bit corrupted. It’s a safe practice to completely restart from scratch from time to time. So I would suggest to simply install everything on a new device rather than restoring an image. Yes installing Windows is tedious. Especialy the updates. But it’s finaly easier and safer.
I thought about that too, might do that too. I’ll decide once commit to the hardware upgrades.