Do I need to buy a new activation key and reinstall windows 10 when changing my Mobo?

[mpascua2001]

I have a prebuilt cyberpower PC from bestbuy which came with a windows 10 activation key and I plan on switching out the Am3 chipset motherboard to a Am4 chipset motherboard.

I already have to change the ram from a DDR3 to a DDR4 and buy a new cpu, so I already have a lot to pay for.

So I'm asking, if I switch out the motherboard from my prebuilt to a new motherboard, do I have to buy a new activation key and reinstall windows or will windows 10 transfer to my new motherboard?

 

[ArchitSahu]

Windows 10 will transfer if you are using the same storage drive. But it will treat it as a new computer and go unactivated. So if you have the original windows 10 activation key, you need to simply input that after the new PC boots up and it should activate.

 

[anoori9000]

Youll have no problem. Use the old key from the old computer and if it deactivates call microsoft up its real easy

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Tie a Microsoft account to your copy of Windows 10 - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

When you do this and log on with the aforementioned Microsoft account after a clean install, Windows will automatically activate.