[SOLVED] Do I need to reinstall my OS (Windows 10) if I switch from Intel to AMD (and change motherboards)?

[koenleung1]

I would like to upgrade from a Core i5-10400F (with Asus ROG Strix Z490-E Motherboard) to a Ryzen 9 5950X with a Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite motherboard. Would I need to format my SSD and reinstall windows? or can I just uninstall drivers for the old system after I swap it?

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, you will need a full wipe and reinstall.
(there is a small chance it would fully work. A much larger chance of only partially working, and a reasonable chance of total fail)

Operation:

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

Licensing:
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

 

[koenleung1]

Yes, you will need a full wipe and reinstall.
(there is a small chance it would fully work. A much larger chance of only partially working, and a reasonable chance of total fail)

Operation:

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

Licensing:
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

yep. That's what happened a few years ago. I was hoping it would be different for newer systems.

 

[lvt]

Simply try boosting your new machine with the same drive to see first.

 

[USAFRet]

Simply try boosting your new machine with the same drive to see first.

Simply booting up does not equal full functionality.

Frequently, the outcome is you're chasing issues for weeks/months, if it boots up at all.

Here, we're changing from Intel to Ryzen.
Highly unlikely to actually work 100%.

 

[lvt]

Simply booting up does not equal full functionality.

Frequently, the outcome is you're chasing issues for weeks/months, if it boots up at all.

Here, we're changing from Intel to Ryzen.
Highly unlikely to actually work 100%.

If the OP has a retail license he may give it a try, if it can boot, I believe it will work normally as Windows 10 tries to update itself frequently.

 

[USAFRet]

If the OP has a retail license he may give it a try, if it can boot, I believe it will work normally as Windows 10 tries to update itself frequently.

There are two aspects to new hardware...licensing and operation.

The license is only one part. And the "Retail" thing is changed significantly with Win 10, particularly after v1607.
Depending on where the license was acquired, it is usually transferable to new hardware.

That has nothing to do with whether it actually works properly.