[SOLVED] Do I need a new Windows 10?

[Wizzrd]

Hello!

So I've recently built/upgraded a new pc and had bought a new Windows 10 key because I thought a mobo swap would require a new OS. I'm using the same SSD from my previous build though

I ordered a 5950x cpu (yay!) but since I didn't know when it'd come in I also bought a Ryzen 3700 to tide me over. When I turned the pc on with the 3700 it booted first try and went straight to my Overwatch Tracer lock screen and I realized i guess I didn't need a new Windows...

My 5950x came in yesterday and I replaced the 3700; that's when the problems started. The pc wouldn't boot so I did a BIOS flash, which then shortly after took me to the bios screen, but every time I exited the bios it would just keep booting back into bios, i tried changing boot priority but noticed none of my drives were showing; i read online somewhere that if I enable CSM it'll work so I did just that and voila there's Tracer.

But now I'm wondering if that's okay and I'm good to go or is there a problem with enabling CSM?

 

[USAFRet]

The WIndows license has nothing to do with the booting up with new hardware.

And you almost certainly did not need a new one anyway.

Too late, but...
For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change



But, for the actual operation...
When presented with a new motherboard, with an old Windows drive and OS, there are three possibilities:

1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

I suspect you'll find yourself at #3. Initial success, and then...hmmm.

For a new motherboard, a fresh install is strongly recommended, often required.

 

[Wizzrd]

The WIndows license has nothing to do with the booting up with new hardware.

And you almost certainly did not need a new one anyway.

Too late, but...
For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change



But, for the actual operation...
When presented with a new motherboard, with an old Windows drive and OS, there are three possibilities:

1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

I suspect you'll find yourself at #3. Initial success, and then...hmmm.

For a new motherboard, a fresh install is strongly recommended, often required.

Thank you for the quick reply!

 

[Wizzrd]

The WIndows license has nothing to do with the booting up with new hardware.

And you almost certainly did not need a new one anyway.

Too late, but...
For the OS activation, read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change



But, for the actual operation...
When presented with a new motherboard, with an old Windows drive and OS, there are three possibilities:

1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks/months.

I suspect you'll find yourself at #3. Initial success, and then...hmmm.

For a new motherboard, a fresh install is strongly recommended, often required.

Oh and would Windows' Fresh Start setting count as a reinstall?

 

[USAFRet]

Oh and would Windows' Fresh Start setting count as a reinstall?

No.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Wizzrd]

No.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

Gotcha thanks for the link