So, I'm thinking about finally upgrading my CPU.
I have Windows 10 installed, it was done as a free update from Microsoft. If I change my CPU now, will I have to buy a copy of Windows 10, or I can still use the existing license that I have from the free upgrade?
I'm Not changing the mainboard/motherboard.
Thanks
Your digital license from the free upgrade is tied to the hardware ID of the PC, and the CPU may well be part of that ID. Microsoft have never been open about what exactly counts towards the hardware ID, except to say that you can freely change the HDD.
Do you have Home or Pro? With Pro there is an activation troubleshooter for activating after significant hardware changes. Linking your license to your MS account is the first step, and may help with Home too.
Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10...you can link your Microsoft account (MSA) to the Windows 10 digital license (formerly called digital entitlement) on your device. This can help you reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter if you make a hardware change later, such as replacing the motherboard...
Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License
I say you should be fine based on my changing three different Ryzen processors on my board and doing several resets and have not had a problem with activation......but then again maybe I am just a lucky kinda guy.......
Hi,
Yeah shouldn't matter but you never know when 10 will popup with a message significant hardware changes were made go to the store and buy win-10
As Bree said, you should make sure your system is tied to your MS account. That way, if you do have any problems with activating after you replace the CPU, MS will be able to reacitvate it for you.
You should be fine. A few months ago I installed W10 on an old AMD PC. I then bought more cheap memory to double the memory capacity and installed a faster CPU I bought cheap on eBay. The activation was not affected in this upgrade. I also changed the system disk and it was still fine.
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