Do i need to reinstall and reactivate windows?

[michael Q]

OK so im practically getting a new system except my psu (its the newest part in my system atm) and my hard drive ive heard some people saying its installed on hard drive not motherboard so i wouldn't others saying because its a new system it will need to be reinstalled and my second question is will i need to reactivate windows (ive heard it mentioned that you nearly always will need to) but my main question about this is to activate it do i need the install disk and the Key or just one of the two?

 

[glamdringfh]

In the event of changing out your motherboard you will need to re-install Windows:

*You will need both your Windows Installation Media and Key for the process or re-installing the OS.

Edit: Didn't notice you were using Windows 8. Windows 8 (even the OEM version) can be re-installed on seperate hardware without issue as described in the Personal Use License here:

http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

The confusion is that Windows 7 OEM is bound to the motherboard, which requires users to jump through a few more hoops. Windows 8 is much simpler to transer to different hardware.

 

[junkeymonkey]

oem yes - tied to the first computer/motherboard it was installed on and not transferable -retail reinstall call windows to reactivate it [it will deactivate the key from the old computer/motherboard and tie it to the new

if the mother board been changed to anything but a exact replacement you will have to reactivate

now I hear that 8 is different then 7 vista or xp but really don't know for sure how that works with it ??


call them and see with a oem you get a guy there that's in a good mood ??

 

[USAFRet]

OK so im practically getting a new system except my psu (its the newest part in my system atm) and my hard drive ive heard some people saying its installed on hard drive not motherboard so i wouldn't others saying because its a new system it will need to be reinstalled and my second question is will i need to reactivate windows (ive heard it mentioned that you nearly always will need to) but my main question about this is to activate it do i need the install disk and the Key or just one of the two?

-You need the install media AND the license key.
-You will almost certainly have to reinstall the OS.
-An OEM license is tied to the motherboard, and installed on the HDD.
-Whether you will need to actually buy a new OS is compoletely up to Microsoft. Often they are lenient, but they are under no obligation to allow that OEM license to be used on a different motherboard.

 

[glamdringfh]

-An OEM license is tied to the motherboard

Wasn't that revoked for Windows 8?

 

[USAFRet]

-An OEM license is tied to the motherboard

Wasn't that revoked for Windows 8?

For a very short period of time after Win 8 came out. That has since been changed. OEM rules are basically what they were for Win 7.
You can read here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

 

[michael Q]

just to check that program "magic jelly bean" is useful for getting the key for your windows right? i found my media disk but the key sticker seems to have fallen off or something

 

[glamdringfh]

For a very short period of time after Win 8 came out. That has since been changed. OEM rules are basically what they were for Win 7.
You can read here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

Good to know, guess I missed the memo on that one. Thanks 😉

@ michael Q: Yes, Magic Jelly Bean is a good program to find your Windows Key.

 

[junkeymonkey]

For a very short period of time after Win 8 came out. That has since been changed. OEM rules are basically what they were for Win 7.
You can read here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

lol- I'm waiting to see the free win10 trap to be sprung

 

[USAFRet]

For a very short period of time after Win 8 came out. That has since been changed. OEM rules are basically what they were for Win 7.
You can read here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

lol- I'm waiting to see the free win10 trap to be sprung

It's already been sprung.
"free, for the life of the device"

Change the motherboard....new 'device'.

 

[USAFRet]

For a very short period of time after Win 8 came out. That has since been changed. OEM rules are basically what they were for Win 7.
You can read here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/useterms

Good to know, guess I missed the memo on that one. Thanks 😉

@ michael Q: Yes, Magic Jelly Bean is a good program to find your Windows Key.

I prefer Belarc Advisor. Finds the Windows license key, and so much more.

 

[junkeymonkey]

ya I bet Microsoft and free should be your first clue and warning and you will pay one way or another some how..

sure was not due to the goodness of there harts