Can I use Windows Sysprep to install current HD on new MOBO and CPU?

[EddM93]

Hello,

My old motherboard ( Gigabyte GA-H61M-S1 ) is about to die. I will need to buy a new motherboard along with a new CPU.

I am using a free update version of Windows 10 on my current HD, that I updated from my retail Windows 7.

A friend of mine told me I don't need to wipe my C: partition and do a fresh install, just need to use this Sysprep thing and shut down the computer and switch the hardware.

I never heard of this, some claim to work. Is it safe?

Hardware to be replaced:

i5 3470 to i5 7400
Gigabyte GA-H61M-S1 LGA1155 to ASUS H110M-C/BR LGA 1151
DDR3 to DDR4

 

[popatim]

Being upgraded from win7, you don't have that option available to you.
You get the lovely option of reinstalling 7 and then upgrading to 10 all over again.

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[u2desire420]

I agree with popatim that you will need to do a clean install however you can go right to Windows 10 but first follow this http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html thread to link your current installation to your Microsoft account so that you will be able to re-activate Windows 10 on the new build.

 

[Rocky Bennett]

u2desire420 is correct. Just follow the directions to link Windows 10 to your Microsoft account and then just do a clean install of Windows 10 on your new equipment.

 

[EddM93]

u2desire420 is correct. Just follow the directions to link Windows 10 to your Microsoft account and then just do a clean install of Windows 10 on your new equipment.

Still waiting for my new hardware to arrive, meanwhile I have linked my Windows 10 to my Microsoft account as instructed thank you.
When I'm ready all I need to do is connect my old HDD in the new PC get into the BIOS set the boot priority to the USB flash drive containing Windows 10, reboot and install from there right?

Or do I have to do something prior to that? I've read the computer might not even boot if you place a hard drive with old motherboard drives in a new one, and erros like BSOD.

Is it better to wipe the partition where my OS is installed on my old computer before switching the hardware?