Can I upgrade my motherboard without doing a clean install?

[Skyliinez]

I was wondering if it's possible to upgrade the motherboard in my PC from my P8Z77-V LX to a newer 4th gen model without having to do a clean install?

I have so much software installed and set up on my machine that it would be a nightmare to have to do it from scratch. Is there any way to do this? I am not planning on doing it right now but if I decided to move onto a newer 4th gen model in the future or if my current one failed and I couldn't get a matched replacement it would be handy to know.

Is it just a matter of installing the drivers for the newer hardware? Is this possible?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

No, a fresh Windows install is required when you change the motherboard.

 

[penguintech]

Unfortunately no, you will need to do a clean install.

 

[Skyliinez]

Are you sure? Because I've been doing some research and a lot of people seem to think you can, but it's not fully clear? Are you not able to uninstall the motherboard drivers, and reinstall the new ones after changing the motherboards over? Or is there a way of imaging the OS onto the new MB?

 

[Madmaxneo]

Yes it is possible. I moved my OS drive to an entirely new PC and it worked just fine. Though TBH I couldn't get it to work at first because I wasn't paying attention....lol
Here is a link to the site that worked for me: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/135077-windows-7-installation-transfer-new-computer.html#post1161038

 

[Skyliinez]

Thanks!