Windows Backup a laptop and restore to another, identical one? - HOW TO

I am returning my laptop (Samsung Series 5), and getting an exact replacement from another vendor. If possible I'd like to backup all of my files and programs, and then restore them onto the new machine.

What is the best way of doing this transfer?

If I'm correct, the new laptop should have identical hardware but a different Windows license key - so in essence I want to backup everything except Windows itself.

 

the license key won't matter as an 'OEM' master license would have been used, not the one on the label.

just clone it to an image file, then, when the new one is available use the image file to restore the new machine as you want it

 

A couple of ideas for programs to clone drives are Macrium Reflect and XXClone

 

Or use "Windows Easy Transfer"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

 

Easeus Todo Backup Free is also awesome: http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Todo-Backup-Free/3000-2242_4-10964460.html

Used it to clone 20 laptops for work and it was flawless