New motherboard. When to install new drivers, uninstall old drivers


  1. Posts : 1,750
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    New motherboard. When to install new drivers, uninstall old drivers


    I am about to replace the motherboard/CPU in my system from an old ASUS P9X79PRO/Intel 3930K, with an ASUS ROG X570 Strix-E/AMD 3900X. I have read that Windows can automatically install new drivers.

    So, that all said, I still have these questions:

    Is it better to simply let Windows do all the driver installs for the new motherboard, or to install drivers that I download from the ASUS website?

    Should I install the AMD motherboard drivers into Windows before switching out the motherboard? Is that even OK?

    If Windows installs all new drivers, can I or should I still install drivers from the ASUS website.

    After my system is up and running OK with the new motherboard, can I or should I uninstall the old Intel motherboard drivers? How would I identify these drivers?

    Am I overthinking this problem?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, you can..
    - selectively back up your existing drivers if you wish
    - create a disk image of your existing Windows installation as a precaution (routine disk imaging is strongly recommended in any case)
    - simply try restarting Windows using your existing disk - assuming, for example, you have a UEFI installation now, and assuming your new MBO only supports UEFI
    - there might be s

    Note that you need a retail license for activation still to be feasible after the change.
    Last edited by dalchina; 03 Apr 2020 at 01:22.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #3

    Some time ago, I switched from an Intel X99 motherboard to an AMD X470 board, without re-installing Windows 10. I was pleasantly surprised that after a driver detection interval, it ran just fine. I don't recall exactly what I did, but I probably uninstalled all of the Intel stuff that was visible in the Programs and Features control panel.

    Shortly after that, the X470 motherboard developed a hardware issue, and I replaced it with a different one. That was a bit of a nightmare, but it was an activation issue rather than a driver issue. (Apparently Microsoft's activation servers become unhappy if you swap motherboards too many times, or at least too many times in a short time interval.)

    Regardless, I imaged the boot drive before the motherboard swap. I also backed up files and settings so that a clean install wouldn't be too painful if I had to resort to that. (I even found how to backup my Thunderbird emails. Saves me from having to re-download about 9GB from my email account's servers.)
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  4. TV2
    Posts : 2,221
    W10 Pro 22H2
       #4

    I like bobkn's procedure to uninstall all of the Intel stuff that was visible in the Programs and Features in Control Panel.
    Then shut down and make the switch.
    Start up and let Windows install it's own drivers. See if you have to deal with activation on a "new" PC.

    But after you are up and running with the new motherboard I would install all the Asus drivers for it.
    The Windows 10 drivers are usually generic, made to run the hardware with basic functionality, just so Windows can load without issues. The Asus drivers are specific to your motherboard and can activate specific features on that board that the generic driver will not.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 1,750
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I forgot to add that there is a retail license for Windows 10 on this system.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #6

    x509 said:
    I forgot to add that there is a retail license for Windows 10 on this system.
    You're good to go, then.
      My Computers


 

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