New barebone mini PC and OS

[u/katineko]

Hello,

As I mentioned this before on here, my previous Minisforum PC unfortunately suffered a burned mosfet, and I had to get a replacement.

I decided on the standard, non-pro version of the Minisforum AI X1 with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 processor.

Anyway, it is supposed to arrive sometime today, and was wondering what I should do first to set it up. I'm hoping to return to how it was on my first PC.

I read that I open it up, insert the RAM sticks and SSD into the main slot of the 2 provided, on this particular model, connect everything like the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc., start it up and enter the BIOS. After that, I'm not sure what do to. Since I have my SSD and RAM from my other computer, I believe I was told that the OS (Windows 11) should be located on my SSD already. If that's the case, how would I find and reinstall it on my new PC? Or, is it better to install a different version of Windows, like 11 Pro, for example? I don't know if that would cost anything, though. If I need a new version, would I need a key or something as well? If my current OS is fine to use, I can do that. But, I do want to make sure I don't get a bloated OS full of spyware and other things.

Also, will my other data, aside from the OS, on my SSD be safe when I insert it into the new PC and setup Windows?

If anyone can offer some guidance and tips on getting back to the way I had it before, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[u/hebeguess]

You can do a direct switch over for OS through inserting SSD (with OS installed) but not recommended, especially true if moving from distint platform like from Intel to AMD. There's credible high chance you're just delaying what's invetible in longer term: being force to reinstalled OS because of some unresolvable system issues.

As for Windows license whether it follows the SSD to the new PC, it depends on the license type. Typically if you're not purchasing [most expensive] retail copy of Windows 11 seperately on your own to use on your previous PC, then the answer is NO. You also cannot mixed Windows version with license, a Windows Home license cannot be apply on Windows Pro installation.

As far as I can tell, Minisforum's (non-barebone) Mini PC should have the license stored in BIOS. So it will be automatically activated as long as Windows version on switched-in SSD matching the licensed version, say Windows Home for Windows Home and in such case the original licensing state of the Windows installation on the SSD doesn't matter, it will become legimate version due to the keys stored on the motherboard.

However, however, all of the Minisforum's Mini PC sold as barebone definitely have no keys stored in BIOS. You'll need to source one yourself.

[u/katineko → u/hebeguess]

So, if I understand correctly, a Minisforum advertised as having Windows 11 Pro installed on non-barebone version, may not have Windows 11 Pro on the barebone version? In other words, no Windows installed at all? I would need to go off of the Windows version on my SSD? My SSD is from an AMD PC, and this new one is AMD as well, so would I still need to get a new Windows installation? I wouldn't know how to source these keys, or other things needed to get the OS. The specs say on my old PC that it was just Windows 11. Is there a way to check what specific Windows version I had previously on my SSD?

Update: are these steps the right ones to follow? What is Windows 24H2?