How to reinstall Windows 10? (swapping motherboards)

[Jackal7618]

Hi, how do I go about doing this? Can I boot into windows and do a fresh install with the new motherboard in or would that mess something up? In that case do I have to create a bootable usb and use it instead of booting into my old install to do a fresh install? Thanks

 

[Titillating]

From my understanding of it, swapping a motherboard will cause your copy of Windows 10 to not be able to activate, as your device hardware will not match what Microsoft has on record. You are going to need to install Windows 7/8.1 with your old product key and then upgrade to Windows 10 again for it to activate properly.

 

[Zaziel]

It was my understanding that you can do it, but you have to activate by phone.