I would like to have a definitive Answer, please.


  1. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #1

    I would like to have a definitive Answer, please.


    Scenario:
    Computer A is upgraded from a genuine Win 7 or 8 to Windows 10. Activated and digital entitled.
    A bootable media is created.

    I change Computer A's motherboard to a new one but not the same make and model.
    I then use the same bootable media to reinstall Windows 10 onto Computer A.

    Questions :
    1. Can reinstalling Windows 10 actually be done this way ?
    2. If yes, will the reinstalled Windows 10 be activated automatically ?

    My understanding is.......................... No, it does not get activated automatically.
    New mobo = new computer.
    Installing Windows 10 into a new mobo with nothing in it will not get activated automatically because the digital entitlement is not in effect. There is none.
    I might be able to talk to MS to get the system activated, but no guarantees.

    You answer please.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello David, :)

    Yes, that is correct.

    New motherboard = new computer, and will not automatically update. You may have to activate by phone if it will not activate online when you manually enter the product key.

    Activate Windows 10
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Brink said:
    Hello David, :)

    Yes, that is correct.

    New motherboard = new computer, and will not automatically update. You may have to activate by phone if it will not activate online when you manually enter the product key.

    Activate Windows 10
    Thank you.

    But ...............when you manually enter the product key.
    What product key you were referring to ?
    It is a free Win 10 upgrade variety. We don't get a Win 10 product key.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 505
    Windows 10 Pro (Mix of Builds) / Linux Mint
       #4

    Let me add to this as it happened to my main rig.

    If that system with win 10 and changed motherboard is not out of 30 days, you can revert it back to windows 7 (with whatever driver issues you would have to deal with being a motherboard change).

    And then take the update again, it will hold at that point.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
    Thread Starter
       #5

    RWOne said:
    Let me add to this as it happened to my main rig.

    If that system with win 10 and changed motherboard is not out of 30 days, you can revert it back to windows 7 (with whatever driver issues you would have to deal with being a motherboard change).

    And then take the update again, it will hold at that point.
    Sorry. You confuse me.
    ....................If that system with win 10 and changed motherboard is not out of 30 days, you can revert it back to windows 7.........................

    How is that possible if the new mobo has no Win 7 in it ?
    Or you meant...................... reinstall Win 7 > then upgrade again ?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 505
    Windows 10 Pro (Mix of Builds) / Linux Mint
       #6

    davidhk said:
    Sorry. You confuse me.
    ....................If that system with win 10 and changed motherboard is not out of 30 days, you can revert it back to windows 7.........................

    How is that possible if the new mobo has no Win 7 in it ?
    Or you meant...................... reinstall Win 7 > then upgrade again ?
    motherboards don't have any OS, Hard Drives do ... timeline:

    Computer with win 7 updated to win 10. Ran two weeks, motherboard died.

    Motherboard changed, boot and win 10 no longer activates.

    Revert non-activated windows 10 BACK to windows 7 (was still given as an option as I was only two weeks into having 10 on it when motherboard died)

    Ensured driver issues with new board are good on 7 that it reverted to (but had nothing about the new board, lots of new device discovered on boot)

    Re-took update to windows 10.

    Done.

    Now, if the upgrade done went over 30 days and a motherboard or other hardware component died and was replaced causing a non activation, then you would not be able to revert the upgrade like the above. At that point you save data, reinstall win 7 and take the update back to 10.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
    Thread Starter
       #7

    RWOne said:
    motherboards don't have any OS, Hard Drives do ... timeline:

    Computer with win 7 updated to win 10. Ran two weeks, motherboard died.

    Motherboard changed, boot and win 10 no longer activates.

    Revert non-activated windows 10 BACK to windows 7 (was still given as an option as I was only two weeks into having 10 on it when motherboard died)

    Ensured driver issues with new board are good on 7 that it reverted to (but had nothing about the new board, lots of new device discovered on boot)

    Re-took update to windows 10.

    Done.
    Thank you.
    That is contrary to what I understand.
    Obviously I understood wrongly.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
    Thread Starter
       #8

    davidhk said:
    Thank you.
    That is contrary to what I understand.
    Obviously I understood wrongly.
    Oh, you meant using windows.old to go back.
    OK.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 505
    Windows 10 Pro (Mix of Builds) / Linux Mint
       #9

    davidhk said:
    Oh, you meant using windows.old to go back.
    OK.
    Yes, but that has to exist as an option for you do do so.... normally that get's killed after 30 days for the retail versions (don't know about insider versions)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Just read this thread.

    How do we explain this ?
    Just when I thought my question was settled.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums