When Getting a New Motherboard Do You Need to Buy Windows Again
Every now and and then, you lot'll desire to make upgrades to your system hardware. The most common part to upgrade is a hard bulldoze to a solid-state drive, or a shiny new graphics processing unit of measurement (GPU). At times, yet, you might want to replace your motherboard—the bit of the computer that helps all the other parts communicate.
Upgrading a motherboard isn't too hard. But activating Windows ten and having it play nicely with your new motherboard is a different story. Here'south how you replace a motherboard without reinstalling Windows 10.
Can You Supervene upon a Motherboard On Windows 10?
The problem with replacing a motherboard while using Windows 10 stems from Microsoft's licensing. Or rather, misunderstanding how Windows 10 licenses work when you lot want to make a major upgrade.
There are three main Windows 10 license types:
- OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer licenses come up preinstalled on the hardware you purchase and are linked to the motherboard in the device
- Retail: You purchase a retail license online and can transfer the license between different computers
- Volume: Microsoft issues volume licenses in bulk to big organizations, such every bit businesses, universities, or governments, and allows a single license key to activate numerous installations
Each Windows license links to the hardware information technology's first installed on, specifically, the motherboard. Only the retail license is transferable between motherboards. If you endeavour to bandy out the motherboard on a Windows 10 automobile using an OEM or Volume license, there is a strong chance the new installation volition non activate Windows 10.
In that location are several examples, however, of Windows x OEM and Volume licenses activating on new hardware, including a motherboard. For more information, check out how to transfer a Windows 10 license to a new computer.
How to Check Your Windows 10 License Type
Earlier attempting to replace your motherboard, cheque the type of Windows 10 license installed on your system.
Type command prompt in your Commencement Carte search bar, and open the All-time Match. Now, input the following command:
slmgr -dli
Await a brief moment for the Windows Script Host window to appear. You'll run across the Windows ten license type aslope the Description. It will clearly state which license type you take, exist that retail, OEM, or volume.
If you have a retail license, you can transfer your Windows 10 installation to a new motherboard easily.
How To Supercede a Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows x
When you lot switch out your motherboard, you lot tin can proceed the hard bulldoze or solid-state drive with your Windows 10 installation. After replacing the motherboard, you reconnect the Windows ten drive. All beingness well, Windows 10 volition reconfigure itself, and you can proceed using the operating system.
Every bit you might wait, it doesn't always work out like that! For the near part, you'll encounter issues relating to Windows 10 license activation. The all-time mode to make sure your new motherboard doesn't require a fresh installation is to link your Windows license and your Microsoft account before making the change.
Press Windows Key + I, so head to Updates & Security > Activation. Under Add a Microsoft business relationship, select Add an account. After this, you'll demand to sign into your Microsoft account. One time yous complete the sign-in process, Microsoft volition link your Windows 10 license and your Microsoft account.
Linking your account allows you to sign back into Windows 10 after installing your new motherboard, without messing around with product codes or otherwise. Withal, you should note that just Retail licenses transfer in this manner. That said, there are numerous examples of OEM or Volume licenses also activating, so it's worth a try.
Windows x License Troubleshooter
Windows 10 includes a license troubleshooter you can use to attempt to fix whatsoever mail service-motherboard issues. The troubleshooter should detect that you recently installed new hardware.
Afterward installing your new motherboard, press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation, where you may observe the Windows is not activated message. If you do see the message, head to the lesser of the page, and select Troubleshoot.
At present, select I changed hardware on this device recently. Then, sign into your Microsoft account and identify the device you are using. The Microsoft activation process will whirr into life, and later a moment or ii, it should actuate Windows 10 with your new motherboard.
Activate With Windows seven or Windows 8.i Product Central
When Windows 10 was announced, Microsoft confirmed that existing Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 license holders would receive a free upgrade to Windows ten. The upgrade process converted licenses for the older Windows versions into digital licenses for the new operating system.
That digitization of licenses and product keys left many Windows users without a specific product cardinal for their new operating arrangement—only the information in the Settings panel that you accept a digital license.
If Windows 10 volition not activate after installing a new motherboard and you upgraded to Windows ten via Windows 7 or 8/8.1, you lot can attempt to activate Windows 10 on the new hardware combination using your old production key.
Press Windows Cardinal + I, so head to Updates & Security > Activation. Nether Update product key, select Change product key. Input the production fundamental associated with your Windows 7 or Windows viii/eight.ane license and select Next. Windows 10 should at present activate.
Struggling to find your former production key? Hither are a few places you tin check to find information technology!
You Don't Take to Reinstall Windows x!
You don't have to reinstall Windows 10 after upgrading your motherboard if you take a few steps before making the switch. The difficulty is getting Windows x and your new motherboard to play nicely later you lot complete the upgrade.
Windows 10 Retail license holders should take no trouble at all. The Retail license is a production designed for multiple installations, without issue.
Windows 10 OEM and Volume license holders tin attempt to upgrade their motherboard without reinstalling Windows. Information technology definitely works on occasion—but not all of the time. Try and remember back to the Windows ten launch. Did you upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows eight/8.1 to Windows 10? If and so, you need to effort using your product primal from the old operating system.
If you opt for a clean Windows 10 installation, make certain to check out how to create a Windows ten installation USB stick.
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Source: https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/how-to-replace-a-motherboard-without-reinstalling-windows-10/
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