what happend to OS if replaced the hardware?

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 31,398
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #11

    gremar said:
    Hi
    I did ask this question before but i did not make my self clearer
    Can i Upgrade motherboard and CPU without reinstalling windows 10?
    You'll loose activation. You can reactivate with the Activation Troubleshooter. To be able to use that you first need to link your digital licence to your Microsoft account.

    Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 27,157
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #12

    Had bad experience with troubleshooter once


    In case this help, I keep this text file for when I do mother board upgrades(no need when only CPU on same chipset):


    Also, Windows 10 and 11 are awesome when you use the same system disk after upgrading, at first boot it takes a while, but Windows will install the drivers needed, and then you can use RAPR(DriverStoreExplorer) to delete the old ones.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    So below are the steps to remove activation key from the system:

    Log in to the system with admin account and open CMD with Run as admin rights.
    slmgr /upk It stands for uninstall product key. The /upk parameter uninstalls the product key of the current Windows edition. Once this command will execute you need to restart, the system will be in an Unlicensed state unless a new product key is installed.


    Then go to your Online Micrsoft account and then remove the device from your account: https://account.microsoft.com/devices

    Once all done above, you can see your Windows actvation properties status as not available.

    Build your new system.

    Enter your key in Windows.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #13

    Cliff S said:
    In case this help, I keep this text file for when I do mother board upgrades(no need when only CPU on same chipset):


    Also, Windows 10 and 11 are awesome when you use the same system disk after upgrading, at first boot it takes a while, but Windows will install the drivers needed, and then you can use RAPR(DriverStoreExplorer) to delete the old ones.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    So below are the steps to remove activation key from the system:

    Log in to the system with admin account and open CMD with Run as admin rights.
    slmgr /upk It stands for uninstall product key. The /upk parameter uninstalls the product key of the current Windows edition. Once this command will execute you need to restart, the system will be in an Unlicensed state unless a new product key is installed.


    Then go to your Online Micrsoft account and then remove the device from your account: https://account.microsoft.com/devices

    Once all done above, you can see your Windows actvation properties status as not available.

    Build your new system.

    Enter your key in Windows.
    Do not follow this advice. It will make it impossible to transfer the digital license via your Microsoft account.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #14

    1. If the old computer is activated with a unique product key, write it down.
    2. Change the product key on the old computer to the retail generic product key for that edition of Windows (IE: Home or Pro).
    3. Make sure the digital license for the old computer is linked to a Microsoft Account.

    These steps will release the product key from the old computer, make the digital license for the old computer a retail license, and make it available to transfer via a Microsoft Account.

    Activate Windows 10/11 on the new computer by:
    1. Entering the unique product key -or-
    2..Use the same Microsoft Account and the Activation Troubleshooter to copy the digital license from the old computer to the new computer.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 27,157
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #15

    NavyLCDR said:
    Do not follow this advice. It will make it impossible to transfer the digital license via your Microsoft account.
    You're really sure about that?
    Z170 to Z370, I rest my case
    ​what happend to OS if replaced the hardware?-image.png
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #16

    Cliff S said:
    You're really sure about that?
    Z170 to Z370, I rest my case
    ​what happend to OS if replaced the hardware?-image.png
    You rest your case on a screenshot that can be obtained from any one of hundreds of millions computers. It proves nothing. The fact is that if you want to retain the ability to transfer a digital license via a Microsoft Account, you cannot delete the old computer from that Microsoft Account before you transfer it! Common sense.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 27,157
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #17

    If you uninstalled the key, then reactivate it on a new system, you will get a new digital license.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 18,421
    Windows 11 Pro
       #18

    Cliff S said:
    If you uninstalled the key, then reactivate it on a new system, you will get a new digital license.
    I completely agree. But what if the old computer does not have a unique product key? What if it was an upgrade from Windows 7 and only has the generic product key? What if it was a clean install of Windows 10 done based on the digital license and only has the generic product key? By removing that computer from your Microsoft Account you have now made its digital license impossible to transfer to the new computer. So, what is the necessity for deactivating the old computer and removing it from the Microsoft Account anyway? There is no necessity to do so and all you are doing is limiting your options for activating the new computer.

    I've got 17 devices listed on my Microsoft Account right now.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 27,157
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #19

    I see what you're getting at, this was a retail key.
    By the way I've also done the above to reuse a Win 8.1 pro retail from a VM, on to a real system too.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 1,748
    Windows 10 Pro
       #20

    NavyLCDR said:
    You can activate the new computer by transferring an OEM license too. OEM v. Retail no longer matters to Microsoft.
    That's news. Good news. I wish I had known that about six month ago when I inherited some beaten up, dirty/dusty, cracked screen or cracked case, low-budget low spec laptops with Vista or Win 7 OEM licenses. I pulled out the hard drives or SSDs, but then recycled the rest. The machines by themselves were pretty useless. The owner was a real slob.

    - - - Updated - - -

    NavyLCDR said:

    I've got 17 devices listed on my Microsoft Account right now.
    Impressive.
      My Computers


 

  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 22:15.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums