I have a notebook with Windows 10. Can I transfer or copy this system from the notebook to a desktop and boot it up there?
The easiest way is to remove the hard drive and install it in the other PC. If necessary, you would have to enter the Windows key again if Windows publishes this.
I have always installed the hard drive from the notebook in the PC.
Or just take the key from the notebook and reinstall it on your PC.
No you can't. The operating system requires drivers that are tailored to the respective hardware. However, there are methods of transferring the settings from one system to the other, e.g.
But if you do as I said you have to download the appropriate drivers for your new hardware and uninstall the old drivers
You can take the key with you.
Mirroring and transferring the operating system to other data carriers is not a problem and enough tools are available. Be it on the hardware side with the help of a docking / clone station and / or by means of appropriate software.
However, in most cases I would prefer a clean reinstallation; because it really only contains the drivers that are actually needed. I don't believe in any de-installation orgies.
As far as starting up is concerned, there may well be problems at startup. Other settings may be set in the BIOS / UEFI, drivers are missing and the operating system is disturbed by the new environment.