In case my experience might help someone else, here is an update on
swapping the SSD fron an old XPS 13 to a new one:
- with the original SSD installed in the new PC, it booted, updated
some drivers, and ran properly.
- except for Windows, I was able to register/update all installed
software (including Office 2016) to run on the new PC with no issues.
- I could not activate Windows. I had updated the Dell installed
Windows 10 Home on the original PC to Windows 10 Pro in 2016, using a
generic product key from Microsoft, folllowed by the product key for a
Windows 7 Pro install that I was no longer using.
- That update process is no longer available, and after 2 calls to
Microsoft support, where people tried (I think!) to be helpful, I was
told I would have to buy a new copy of Windows 10 Pro (or a new
product key).
- finally, I called the Microsoft store in Canada to make sure that I
could buy a product key, and ended up talking to a very helpful
support person. He found the 2016 log file on the SSD that verified
that the 2016 update to Windows 10 Pro was legitimate. He then
generated a new product key, and Windows 10 Pro is now activated.
I would give Microsoft a C or D for the first 2 calls to support. I
would give the last person I spoke to an A+ for courtesy and knowing
exactly what to do.
It would have been nice if Microsoft had automated the process of
checking the update and generating a new product key. But, given how I
did the original update from 10 Home to Pro, using a Windows 7 Pro
product key, if the last call had been my only contact with Microsoft
while trying to resolve this, I would have been quite happy.

On Wed, 6 Dec 2017 13:46:35 -0800 (PST), Ben Myers
wrote:

Barring damage to the SSD, the odds of almost everything working as before are near 100%. The only caveat is to pay attention to software that is licensed and for which you have paid good money. Depending on the software, it may activate like Windows does, tying the software to the make and motherboard serial number (Dell's service tag) during activation. If the software is moved to another motherboard, Whoops! It does not work. To get around this for some customers, I have changed the motherboard serial number or service tag, after which everything works correctly as before. You do not need to worry about Windows itself though. Dell installs it's own Windows customized to work on most any Dell computer... Ben Myers

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 7:36:13 PM UTC-5, Richard S wrote:
I have a 2 year old Dell XPS13 laptop, which has died as a result of a
serious liquiud spill. The 256GB SSD appears to have survived, and I
believe it is still fully fucntional.
What are the chances that if I buy a new Dell XPS 13, with the same
specs, and put the old SSD in it,the new XPS 13 will boot up and run
with the OS and apps from the old laptop?
What are the potential problems?
Thanks for any advice.
Richard