Changing Motherboard - Does This Require a Reinstall for Win 10 Pro?

You would think so, but that`s just not the case with W10 and a Microsoft account.

If it were me, with a new board, I would do a clean install.

I replaced the MB and had a problem activating, it ended up being pretty easy to resolve the activation problem. This is post #6 in this topic Replacing Motherboard Questions Solved - Windows 10 Forums

The bolded text was the solution for me. You may be ok, but this is something to try if you have to.

CmmTch said:

Success!! I followed your instructions for creating the bootable USB with W10 and Kyhi's recovery tools, and was able to get W10 AU 1607 clean installed.

Had trouble with activation, followed another post you gave advice in, went to this link https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...troubleshooter chose "Contact Us" then chose chat.

Worked with a person named Donna, she fixed my problem, took less than 10 minutes. Ended up using the product key from the Win7 OS I upgraded from, she had me press the Windows + R buttons, then type "slui 3" in the run box. Then I put in the product key from the Win7 OS, and all is good now. Activated with a digital license, and stayed on the retail channel too.


Tried to give you rep, but get the message "you must spread some reputation around before giving it to NavyLCDR again" So all I can do is give a thank you for your help. :)

NavyLCDR said:

AddRAM is correct regarding activation. MS doesn't seem to care much more about an OEM license kept tied to a single motherboard.

In fact, as far as I can tell the digital licence does not have any history of the key used to grant the digital licence. I guess MS have pragmatically decided that keeping people on W10 ecosphere is their most important objective. Also, they had to do something to allow people who upgraded from a retail 7/8 key as EULA said upgrades from retail are transferable.

I guess the cost of keeping key history with digital marketing licence would far outweigh cost of lost revenue from a smalk section of users. Very few actually change mobos or buy new pc without OS included.