Windows 10: Install new motherboard- Install before or after Win10 upgrade?

I have an HTPC on Windows 7 that I want to upgrade to Windows 10. I want to change the motherboard to an mini-ITX format. Should I install Windows 10 before or after changing out the motherboard? Trying to avoid a hangup.

:)

 

Windows 10 Unable To Activate

Think you need to at least once activate win7 or 8 on the new motherboard before you can install the win10 upgrade freely right now. Win10 wont activate as a fresh install on a new motherboard , a never before activated motherboard - without a new unused key
of some sort.

 

Windows 10 Installation Problems

After up grading to Win 10, my screen started to blink and the lap top was frozen in this blinking mode. After restarting computer many times, it is stuck in the Win 10 load process with the circle of dots spinning around and around while the load process
goes no where. I have tested all hardware and it is OK. I tried the Win 10 fix and it still is in the same mode where the dots spin around and around, but operating system does not load and start up

I have a 64 bit HP Lap Top that was running Win 8.1 without any problems before trying to load Win 10.

 

Personally I would do it first that way any hitches would be sorted out with the windows I had on the hard drive

 

License is tied up to MB, so better install after the change. It's also likely that you would have to reinstall anyway.

 

You should upgrade the computer mobo with Win7 before you upgrade Win7 to Win10. If you upgrade to Win 10 first, when you change the mobo, your Win10 will not activate and you will have to buy a new copy of Win10. Win 10 is only free on the computer you upgrade a previous version. Changing the mobo is equivalent to a new computer and you will need a new licence.

Bob Frost

 

Is the current Windows 7 install OEM or Retail?

 

It is the retail Family Pack of Windows 7 Home upgrade.

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I will go ahead with the MB swap before upgrading to Win10.

 

Ok, being Retail, that makes life easier. Yeah, I'd swap motherboards first. Then do the phone activation, if needed. Then do the free upgrade to 10. I'd want the Windows 10 activation tied directly to the new motherboard.

 

Good point. Thx.

 

I did exactly this. I changed the mobo on a win 8.1 system, activated it over the internet and then upgraded to win 10. Windows 10 was automatically activated.
Keith