Possible to swap motherboard and still retain Windows 10?

mystvearn · 05 Jul 2020

Hi,

I'm using a MS OS Build 19041.329. Win 10 enterprise account. Recently I had my PC formatted as some files were corrupted. Since I wanted the PC immediately for work, no drivers were installed. I noticed that windows update is good enough to go find all the relevant software updates without me installing anything at all. This also include the connected peripherals such as printers, webcams. The only driver which I had to install was the MS Ergonomic Keyboard which was a bit slow at detection (maybe since I had not assign the keys.

So, If I just take the SSD hard drive out from my H81 board and put it into a B550 board, it should work right? I just delete all the drivers in device manager and just let windows figure everything out with the new hardware? Save my time of having to send the PC back to IT to have it reformat again. Also after reformatting, I still need to sync my entire onedrive with my pc. Everything is already sync in real-time to One Drive. Also download windows updates. It will take a day to finish download. I usually do it at the end of the day so that I get a fresh pc the next day.

sygnus21 · 05 Jul 2020

Short simple answer is yes! I've done it a few times.

That said, it's always best to start with a fresh install of Windows. Also no need to delete any drivers, Windows will will use what it needs, and those not found - motherboard, soundcard, and perhaps LAN, will probably need to be installed by you.

Again, the simple answer is yes, but...

Good luck.

OldNavyGuy · 05 Jul 2020

I don't forsee any issues installing Windows 10, but you may need to call Microsoft to activate it.

From Microsoft -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ardware-change

Ztruker · 05 Jul 2020

One way, make sure your digital license is linked to your Microsoft account. Then there will not be any problem.

sygnus21 · 05 Jul 2020

OldNavyGuy said:

I don't forsee any issues installing Windows 10, but you may need to call Microsoft to activate it.

From Microsoft -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ardware-change

We've (NavyLCDR) had this conversation before - you do not need to call Microsoft to activate if you have a digital license. That if the OP has a Microsoft Account they have a digital license. Basically once the OP signs onto the new machine the OS will (should) activate.

What "might" come into play is if the original license is OEM. In that case, the OP would need to purchase a new license as the OEM license is tied to the PC the OS came on.

cereberus · 05 Jul 2020

sygnus21 said:

We've (NavyLCDR) had this conversation before - you do not need to call Microsoft to activate if you have a digital license. That if the OP has a Microsoft Account they have a digital license. Basically once the OP signs onto the new machine the OS will (should) activate.

What "might" come into play is if the original license is OEM. In that case, the OP would need to purchase a new license as the OEM license is tied to the PC the OS came on.

This is not the case. It does not automatically reactivate simply by signing in with an MS account on a new device.

You have to run the activation troubleshooter to manually transfer the digital licence.

Even then it does not always work. If MS decide the new hardware is too different, it often fails.

This digital licence transfer mechanism was intoduced to allow users to replace a failed mobo and be able to reactivate. It was never intended to confer "retail" ability to oem licences.

OldNavyGuy · 06 Jul 2020

Seems pretty clear in the Microsoft article.

If something goes sideways and you need to call, try the following -

Windows key + R

Enter SLUI 4

Select your Country or Region.

Click Next to get the phone number, and instructions.

Steve C · 06 Jul 2020

Ztruker said:

One way, make sure your digital license is linked to your Microsoft account. Then there will not be any problem.

Doesn't that depend on the license? I thought retail was OK but OEM not so.

sygnus21 · 06 Jul 2020

OldNavyGuy said:

Seems pretty clear in the Microsoft article.

As I said, we had this conversation before - Moving Windows 10 to a new build (This is post #47, It started with post #4).

Movin on

OldNavyGuy · 06 Jul 2020

Looks like we're having it again.