However, sometimes issues can occur, and if that happens, you’ll have to completely reinstall the OS.
Windows will automatically detect that there was a hardware change and install the required drivers during the first boot. Is it necessary to reinstall Windows after replacing the motherboard?
In today’s guide, we’re going to show you how to change the motherboard without reinstalling Windows, so be sure to closely follow our instructions. This is a rather technical procedure, and if you’re not careful, you can cause permanent damage to your PC, so it requires extra caution. This is because all your hardware is connected to it, so you’ll need to remove it beforehand.
However, the process can get a bit complicated if you’re trying to upgrade your motherboard. If you opt for a clean Windows 10 installation, make sure to check out how to create a Windows 10 installation USB stick.Upgrading your PC is relatively simple, and in most cases, you just need to remove one component and replace it with a new one and that’s it. Did you upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10? If so, you need to try using your product key from the old operating system. Try and remember back to the Windows 10 launch. It definitely works on occasion-but not all of the time. Windows 10 OEM and Volume license holders can attempt to upgrade their motherboard without reinstalling Windows.
The Retail license is a product designed for multiple installations, without issue. Windows 10 Retail license holders should have no trouble at all. The difficulty is getting Windows 10 and your new motherboard to play nicely after you complete the upgrade. You don’t have to reinstall Windows 10 after upgrading your motherboard if you take a few steps before making the switch. Struggling to find your old product key? Here are a few places you can check to find it! You Don’t Have to Reinstall Windows 10! Input the product key associated with your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license and select Next.
Under Update product key, select Change product key. Press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation. If Windows 10 will not activate after installing a new motherboard and you upgraded to Windows 10 via Windows 7 or 8/8.1, you can attempt to activate Windows 10 on the new hardware combination using your old product key. Once you complete the sign-in process, Microsoft will link your Windows 10 license and your Microsoft account. After this, you’ll need to sign into your Microsoft account. Under Add a Microsoft account, select Add an account. The best way 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. All being well, Windows 10 will reconfigure itself, and you can continue using the operating system.Īs you might expect, it doesn’t always work out like that! For the most part, you’ll encounter issues relating to Windows 10 license activation. After replacing the motherboard, you reconnect the Windows 10 drive. When you switch out your motherboard, you can keep the hard drive or solid-state drive with your Windows 10 installation. How To Replace a Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows 10
If you have a retail license, you can transfer your Windows 10 installation to a new motherboard easily.