Do I REALLY need to repurchase a Windows Key?

advancedmixedgaming

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Nov 5, 2015
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Hi, I recently bought a new motherboard and new processor for a new computer I am building. I am reusing the HDD that has Windows loaded onto it. I am pretty confused/concerned about having to buy a new Windows key. It was Windows 8.1 (OEM I think????). Am I going to have to repurchase Windows??? If I do, why wouldn't I just be able to load Windows from the HDD?? I need some explaining, thanks.
 
Solution


Hi,

Did you do the free upgrade to Windows 10?

Yes:
-You will need a new key unfortunately. With the free upgrade, Windows tied your key to your motherboard serial. Since your new motherboard has a different serial it will not automatically activate. The drive would probably boot but you would receive an error from Windows saying it is...


Hi,

Did you do the free upgrade to Windows 10?

Yes:
-You will need a new key unfortunately. With the free upgrade, Windows tied your key to your motherboard serial. Since your new motherboard has a different serial it will not automatically activate. The drive would probably boot but you would receive an error from Windows saying it is not registered.

No:
If you are still on 8.1 you should be good to go (assuming drive boots fine). Just get your new motherboard drivers and have fun. At any point if you upgrade to 10, your new serial will become tied to the motherboard you just purchased and installed!

Hope this helps.
 
Solution
When changing a motherboard, the Windows installation will no longer work correctly. It is always good practice to hold onto the key that the manufacturer gave you, and if you have this, just use it again.

Just be aware that you will have to re-install windows and anything that's not backed up will be lost during the installation process. Please connect the drive as a secondary drive (not a boot drive) to another computer and copy all of your stuff over that you'll need. In order to re-install, you will need the install media that you originally used to install Windows on that HDD.
 
If it is refusing to activate after a hardware change, call Microsoft support and explain that you changed your motherboard and that the key no longer works. I upgraded from 8.1 to 10, and earlier this year switched from an AMD APU setup to an i5, switching both motherboard and CPU of course. My key still activated properly. However, on another machine, I went from FM1 socket CPU and mobo to an FM2+ combo and the key wouldn't activate. Called Microsoft and they reactivated my license. So, it seems to be situational. If the key does not activate, look up Microsoft's customer support number for your country and then explain the situation, they should ask to connect to your computer remotely and they will reactivate your copy of Windows.
 

[strike]
Sadly, I did do the free upgrade to Windows 10. I see people commenting about being able to call MIcrosoft support about reactivating my key. Would that work? I believe I still have the key they already had to activate for me, because they printed the wrong key for me.[/strike] Ignore that, I see you responded to it already. Thanks
 


You can change your hard drive, RAM and CPU, but I believe changing the MOBO will be enough of a change that it won't automatically activate