Windows 10: Is it necessary to fresh win install after upgrading motherboard/CPU?

Do I have to do a fresh windows install after upgrading to a new motherboard and CPU?
And if it's really necessary, Can I get away with the "keep your existing file" option or do I need to clean format my drive before installing windows?

:)

 

Changing Motherboard on Win 10 that was upgraded from Win 7 OEM

I am wondering what I need to do after replacing the motherboard on my PC to get an activated version of win 10 Home. I realize that due to OEM version on win 7 before upgrade that I now have an OEM version of Win 10. I was not planning a fresh install
so was hoping to boot up and install the necessary drivers for the new motherboard. If this works I assume I have to purchase a new license. Can I purchase a key online and just simply enter it to activate or will I need to fresh re-install. Moving from
Intel z68 to Intel z170 skylake. Thanks...

 

Windows 10 and Motherboard sell

Hi to all,

I'm planing to upgrade from WIN 7 PRO (retail) to Win10, but AFTER changing my Motherboard with a new.

I tried WIN 10 with actual Motherboard, and after I did rollback (now, after a fresh reinstall, I'm going with the 7PRO retail again).

My question is:

When I will sell my actual motherboard that has "seen" Windows 10 for a week or two, new customer (sigh) can activate Win 10 and invalidate my 7/10 ?

 

You don't need to re-install anything. Just make sure you meet the prerequisites to move the digital license from the old computer to the new computer:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530

 

That's so strange, I've done a few google search and asked couple of tech savy friends and almost every result is urging a fresh install after new hardware, Can I really get away with not doing a reinstall of windows?

 

Yes. Microsoft even says so. Make sure the new computer is booting in the same mode the old computer did. If the old computer was legacy BIOS - the new computer needs to be set in legacy BIOS or CSM mode. If the old computer was booting in UEFI, the new computer needs to as well.

 

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ardware-change
• You reached the limit on the number of times you can reactivate Windows on your device.

What is that limit??