Windows 10: Keeping OS installation and software after hardware upgrade

My PC's motherboard and processor were bought in 2010. I currently have an i3 processor. I am planning to upgrade to i7 with a new motherboard. Is there a way that I don't have to reinstall windows and software after hardware upgrade? I am currently running Windows 10-64 bit (version 1607 build 14393.1944)

:)

 

Windows 10 to Windows 10 Pro upgrade is stuck

Upgrading from one OS to another will sometimes cause driver and incompatible third-party software issues. In the previous installation (Windows 10), many registry settings have been modified when installing third-party software. During an upgrade,
these registry entries are retained, which can cause system issues after upgrading. Therefore, an upgrade install is only recommended for systems that have a simple and clean software environment. (A clean environment means a system with few third-party programs
and un-signed hardware drivers installed.)

 

windows 10 version 1703

A clean install is the best way to install an operating system. A clean install correctly performed on compatible hardware always works. By contrast, an upgrade is a cr*pshoot. No current or future computer expert wants to upgrade.

Here are the keys to success (for any operating system

• hardware that is compatible with the OS
• a clean install
• updating the OS before installing additional software
• only software applications that are supported on the OS

To that I would add:

• no configuration changes without thorough research
• daily backup, including an image backup

This is how the experts do it.

 

Hi there

some of the PRO versions of Macrium / Acronis allow backup to be made and then restore to different hardware --usually works well -- if there are any totally new drivers needed that can't be found after the install then Windows will usually find them after initial boot.

Note though you probably will need to re-activate Windows again --not always a given but probably likely. If you got a retail version of Windows activation can be done by phone - just say got new hardware. Sometimes though even on a Mobo change Windows doesn't require re-activation -- Lottery there !!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

It's quite possible that Windows will be able to detect the new hardware automatically the first time you boot up on the new hardware.

I personally just upgraded an i7-3770 system (from 2012) without doing anything to Windows. When I booted up with the old hard drive Windows detected everything and started up normally.

Edit: I did have to re-activate. The troubleshooter that allows you to link your MS account didn't work (kept saying servers were down) so I had to use the live chat to have customer support fix the activation.