Windows 10: New motherboard & Processor

I have Windows 10 Home Anniversary update. I installed this OS by a free upgrade from Windows 7. I want to take the hard drive and put it in another tower that has a different motherboard, memory, and processor. What will I have to do to make sure the OS stays activated?

:)

 

If i install a new cpu is that considored a "significant" change to my hardware.

Yes, changing the processor or motherboard will remove your activation, so you'll need to buy a license.

I'm not going to defend Microsoft's policy, but I will say that for many if not most, a processor upgrade will also include a motherboard upgrade. Considering the cost of a new CPU and motherboard vs. the cost of a new computer, you may as well buy the new
computer.

 

Will I void my windows product key and how can I re-activate it?? Thanks!!

It should not. However you will need a new copy of Windows if you change your motherboard. Check your motherboard web page to confirm that the motherboard supports the new processor.

 

I believe you will need to buy a new key for the new system.

 

Or maybe it will work [has for me a couple of times] to log into your Microsoft Account while online and check the Activation. And it probably will help to check Device Manager to assure all the necessary drivers are installed.

 

Doesn't it depend on the licence T&C of the original Windows 7 installation? I thought if you originally bought a full retail version of Windows 7/8 then you can transfer that licence to another PC?

 

Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

 

Hi S,

Actually, it is not necessary.

Use Activation Troubleshooter in Windows 10 Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

cheers

M.

 

Yes, but it looks to me like he has a HP OEM Home Premium W7 key to begin with.

 

That doesn't matter.

Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change

What does matter is that the activation page says this:
Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account

 

It is interesting that after all this time MS have still never modified the EULA to reflect fact the activation troubleshooter works regardless if original licence was oem or not.

I am 99% certain that MS cannot tell history of digital licence.

I had an old laptop which came with W8 preinstalled, and I upgraded at some point to AU version, and mobo died. I installed Home on a laptop that had Vista, and the digital licence transferred fine!

So am I in breach of EULA - technically I an sure yes, but MS introduced the tool that allows digital transfers, so I do not see how they could prosecute any individual for violating EULA when they introduced the very tool that permits one to do just that.

In the end, Windows licensing is full of inconsistencies.

 

And here is my most recent experience, @cereberus. I replaced my MSI motherboard with an Asus motherboard. I am dual booting Windows 10 and Windows 7. I kept the same SSD and HDD that have Windows 10 on the SSD and Windows 7 on the HDD. I did the sysprep with generalize on the Windows 7. I booted into Windows 7, ran the command SLUI 4 to bring up the phone activation window, then activated Windows 7 on the new system, no issues (retail license). Then I booted into Windows 10 Pro. It went through the process of configuring for the new hardware. I expected I would have to transfer my digital license from the old "computer" (motherboard) to the new "computer". But.... nope..... It automatically came up with "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account"! Did not have to do anything manually for the "transfer?" of the Windows 10 license.

 

This is odd isn't it?

I guess we need to collect more evidence to ascertain if rules have quietly changed (I find that hard to believe), or you just got lucky.

Just quickly created a vm, and logged in with MS account, and it does not activate automatically.

I have heard that former Technical Programme users were (unofficially) granted a free PRO licence - perhaps that follows you as an Insider - pure speculation here though.

 

One cannot transfer the license unless one has an MS account. It cannot be done using a local account. Therefore, firstly, this is incentive for users to open an MS account. I would think when a majority of users see that they can save money, they will do so.

I'm sure they keep track of digital license transfers. I have an inkling it's in a hidden folder in one's OneDrive via one's MS account. Not altogether sure, but quite positive this is where one's account info, Store library, stored Favorites, different devices, Office info, OS settings, and other info is stored also. I'm thinking when an MS account is created, a hidden OneDrive folder(s) and/or subfolders are created whether one uses OneDrive or not. They have to title it something, so why not OneDrive for that is also revenue for them. All neatly residing on a server with one's email address for access.

At this point I don't think MS cares if one transfers the digital license as long as one is using 10, which is, of course, the only OS it'll work on. For now, I think they allow this also as an incentive to continue getting everyone moved over to 10. This will be a huge savings for them so far as supporting just one OS. Supporting multiple OSs has got to be costing them big bucks. This means less labor for them developing code for security updates.

Just as Apple and Google, MS is also making revenue off 8/8.1 and 10 with their respective Stores and ads within UWP apps. Once the ad-less app version is purchased, no more ads. MS gets a slice of the pie either way, just as Apple and Google do.

Also, so far as I know to date, one can upgrade and activate a 10 using a legit 7, 8, or 8.1 key. Just a few months ago I upgraded a legit 10 Home (that upgraded from a 7 Home) to 10 pro using a legit 8 pro key. It listed as $100 upgrade via the Store. Saved me money. *Smile

 

A number of us Insiders were granted a free license dual booting. Thing is though, only my Insider is listed in my devices within my account. The other partition is not, although it's activated and fully functional.