Swapping HDD that simple?

Hi. If I have an older model laptop and buy a new model, both have the same model of HDD, can I just replace the new HDD with the old one, so that the new machine will run on the OS on the old machine normally? Does it mean I don't need to do anything on the new machine beside taking out the new HDD and putting in the old one, since everything for running the new machine is on the HDD (C: drive)? Of course I also have all my other files on the new machine.

Is it that simple or am I missing something?

 

I dunno, how to do that, but I do know swapping in an old hard drive will not work.

 

No, you kind of have it backwards in fact.
If you bought two identical systems with everything the same but the hard drive (or same HDD, point is HDD model is irrelevant), you could swap no problem.
What you want to do may or may not work - it's a crapshoot to be honest. In the end, no matter what, you will have to install drivers for the new laptop on the old hard drive if you want everything to function properly.
Also depending on the age of the old laptop, it may not physically even fit in the new laptop.

 

That is almost certainly not going to work, particularly if the OS on the old system was pre-installed and not out of a retail box you bought separately in a store.

 

Oh, thank you all for the education Few more questions:

1. Is there a way to transfer the software installed in the old machine to the new machine? (they are different models)

2. How to erase the documents on the old HDD without the old machine?

 

Realistically, nah, not really. Some programs may still run if the Program Files are copied over, but most won't. It's software specific.

Hook the drive up to any computer either directly or via a USB dongle and use Darik's boot and nuke.

 

Hep! thank you!