Upgrading 8.1 --> 10 - drivers?

Hey gang,

So after holding off for a while, I am getting closer to taking advantage of the free upgrade offer for Windows 10.
I would prefer to go through the upgrade process, rather than a clean install. I rather do clean installs when I really need to, like changing out for a new motherboard. Just don't want to go through the hassle until absolutely necessary.
I build all my own systems, and keep them pretty current regarding hardware and drivers.

The Windows 10 upgrade advisor tells me my system is ready and should be no conflicts with the upgrade, for my hardware and software.
Knowing that for some hardware the vendors supply separate drivers for 10 versus 8, my question is: Should I uninstall my drivers for say my video card, sound card, printer prior to doing the upgrade, or will the upgrade process to Windows 10 pretty much take care of that for me? Obviously once installed I will grab the latest Windows 10 drivers and install them...
Just trying to prepare as best I can for when I do decide to take the plunge.

Thanks for any tips,

Good idea I will be sure and grab the drivers first and have them available.

Thanks!

badrobot said:

But if you will ask the entire community here, clean install is always the way to go. It's a new OS, so why not start fresh and speed up your PC by getting rid of all the junk that accumulated on your PC through time. Just something to think about.

Yes I know and appreciate that. I have done that many times previously, I do keep a pretty clean system and am really not too concerned about much junk that may have accumulated, and just rather save the grief for when I upgrade to a new motherboard which I will probably do in another year or so, so thinking at this time I would try just doing the upgrade route rather than the clean install.

Often I have waited to install a new windows version when I am doing a motherboard upgrade, but this time the way it fell looks like I will be doing that in between motherboard upgrades. So trying to take the path of least resistance LOL.

By the way, if one does go the upgrade route and then determines afterward well think I might be better installing clean, any issue with being able to do so at that point?
Thanks,

badrobot said:

There will be no problem. Just wipe out and install.
Btw, W10 key is tied up to the hardware. So, you may have an activation issue in the future if you change your motherboard. But getting in touch with MS support may ease out things for you. But there's also a sysprep method that you can do first to keep your windows activated even after a hardware change. Check it out here: http://haazenpfeffer.us/blog/?p=153

Thanks for the great info, much appreciated!

badrobot said:

But there's also a sysprep method that you can do first to keep your windows activated even after a hardware change. Check it out here: http://haazenpfeffer.us/blog/?p=153

Sysprep will not keep Windows 10 activated when you replace the motherboard. Windows 10 will start up on the new motherboard, calculate a different Hardware ID than what was activated and deactivate.

badrobot said:

Yeah, I have tried this method with Windows 7 but haven't got the chance to do it with Win 10 yet. Just something worth trying if changing a hardware is inevitable. For sure, the last resort is contacting a support. @NavyLCDR , have you tried it on Windows 10? or you are just saying it because we all know that Windows 10 key dies with the device?

I have not tried it myself.