Windows 10: If I replace my Motherboard and CPU do I need a new Windows license?

I've checked various sites and the CPU I have on my motherboard is the best it can have, I've had this computer for a long time now and I wanted to upgrade to a new motherboard however there are a few people that say that I would need to purchase Windows 10 again and that made me reconsider upgrading.



So basically, if I replace my Motherboard and CPU do I need a new Windows license?

:)

 

Replacing motherboard and CPU with Windows 10

There appear to be many dozens of articles and posts on the subject of replacing hardware in systems running Windows 10, but none of them (none of the dozens I have read at least) appear to offer a definitive answer or clear direction. At best the responses
I have found amount to "you may or may not need to jump through hoops after replacing your motherboard." Not helpful at all.

My PC was installed with a fresh copy Windows 10 Home (not upgraded from a previous version) using a new retail license. I then "upgraded" the system to Windows 10 Edu using an Edu license acquired via my University.

Is there anything I should do before replacing my motherboard (and CPU)?

Is there anything I will need to do after replacing my motherboard (and CPU)?

Thanks,

Mark

 

Windows 10 Pro's license completely glitched out after changing motherboard and CPU

We appreciate your reply. For us to know more about the issue, kindly answer the following questions:

• Did you manage to deactivate Windows 10 Pro first before replacing your motherboard?
• Do you still have the written copy of your product key?
• Are you using the same hard disk where your Windows 10 Pro product key has been activated? If not, where is this hard disk?
• Did you replace your hard disk along with your motherboard and CPU?
• What is the edition of Windows activated on your computer? To know, press Windows + S. Type About, and click it.

Meanwhile, we recommend that you deactivate and uninstall your Windows 10 Pro license from your old motherboard and reinstall it back on your machine using the steps below:

Step 1: Check your your Windows 10 Pro product key using Windows Powershell or Command prompt. Follow the steps below and note down your product key:

• Press Windows key + X.
• Click Command Prompt (admin).
• Enter the following command: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
  and press Enter:
• The product key will be revealed, copy the product key.

Step 2: Deactivate and uninstall the Windows 10 Pro Product Key from the old motherboard since it has your license. Follow the steps below:

• To know the Activation ID of your Windows installation. Open a command prompt using the Windows search box and type in
  slmgr.vbs /dlv and press Enter. This will display the detailed license information for the installed operating system.
• A window will open up and will give you details about your Windows licensing and activation status. Look for
  Activation ID and note it down.
• On the same command prompt window, type in slmgr /upk <your Activation ID> and press
  Enter. This uninstalls the product key of the current Windows edition. After a restart, the system will be in an Unlicensed state unless a new product key is installed.

Step 3: Activate your Windows 10 Pro to your machine after uninstalling it due to a hardware change, follow the steps below:

• Open a command prompt using the Windows search box and type in
  slmgr /ipk <Windows Product Key> and press Enter.
• If the key is valid and applicable, the key is installed. If a key is already installed, it is silently replaced. If the key is invalid, an error is returned.
• Open your Control Panel you will see Windows is activated message.

Let us know if you need further assistance.

 

REplacing motherboard with refurbished motherboard

Hi Keith,

to keep license you need to replace motherboard by warranty. Sorry that are the license terms. If this will be warranty replacement please remember technician to do steps necessary for license keeping.