Question Is it better to reinstall Windows after upgrading motherboard and CPU?

[xtremexyz]

Hi,

Is it better to do a clean reinstallation of Windows 11 after upgrading one's motherboard and CPU? Even if it's working. Or better to leave it alone? Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

"better"?

It is often required.

3 possible outcomes:
1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks months

If yours is actually working 100%, leave it.
But do be prepared for a reinstall if you see any weirdness.

 

[falcon291]

"better"?

It is often required.

3 possible outcomes:
1. It works just fine
2. It fails completely
3. It "works", but you're chasing issues for weeks months

If yours is actually working 100%, leave it.
But do be prepared for a reinstall if you see any weirdness.

1. Is fine.
2. Is again fine, you at least tried.
3. But the third is nightmare, overall trying to solve the issues probably will take more than installing Windows. I faced such a problem while upgrading my GPU from GTX 1070 to RTX 3070. I somehow resolved it, but now I think it would be better if I reinstalled Windows instead.

 

[DSzymborski]

Hi,

Is it better to do a clean reinstallation of Windows 11 after upgrading one's motherboard and CPU? Even if it's working. Or better to leave it alone? Thanks!

Windows tries to compensate when people cut corners and don't reinstall -- and gets better all the time -- but the gold standard is still a full wipe and reinstall of the OS. Anything worth doing is worth doing correctly.

 

[AlbertAZ]

I did it once and had no problems BUT I first used the Control panel to delete chip, sound and other motherboard drivers all of which I later installed from the motherboard CD and later updated from the motherboard web site

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

"better"?

It is often required.

Hahah... yep... and it doesn't always go smoothly.

Last week when I built my new system it allowed me to move my Windows 11 Home to my new build... "digital license tied to your Microsoft account." I had originally purchased Windows 10 with my 2021 build and had the USB installer... but couldn't find the license key. I dug through all my emails and online accounts like Amazon/NewEgg/B&H where I have purchased my computer parts in the past and couldn't find it... don't know what I did with it... I must have accidentally deleted it.

Well anyway... after my cpu and motherboard imploded last weekend I replaced the parts (RMA approved) and it wouldn't allow me to reactivate Windows... despite it being the exact same cpu and motherboard.

Over the course of 3 hours I talked to 5 different Microsoft reps... 2 of them took control of my PC to try to figure out why it wouldn't activate... and got nowhere.

I'm like "you mean to tell me you can't see that I have a Windows license on my Microsoft account? I've been told time and time again that Windows was activated with a license tied to my account. You can't see it?"

Apparently... they can't.

I never got it activated and had to buy a new license. I ended up getting 11 Pro because my computer at work is Pro and at least now I can remote access my home computer if I need to.

The whole activation thing after the hardware failure was a nightmare I hope to never have to deal with again... and I saved the proof of purchase and key this time.

 

[USAFRet]

Hahah... yep... and it doesn't always go smoothly.

And the activation/licensing issue is completely different than the actual operation - Does it run?

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

And the activation/licensing issue is completely different than the actual operation - Does it run?

Yeah... all the problems went away with the new license. At the end of the day I didn't much care... the thought had crossed my mind more than once to upgrade to 11 Pro and this just gave me an excuse to do it.

Point being though... I had no problems swapping my license to a completely new PC build... but was unable to reactivate it on the same build after the hardware failure... despite it being the same cpu and mobo.

 

[xtremexyz]

Well folks, I guess as they say no half measures. I did a clean reinstall of Windows 11. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[SyCoREAPER]

I would first deactive the Windows license and reactivate it before reinstalling. Depending on your license, it may refuse on a new install thinking it's a new PC. Reactivating while on your current install will at least rebind it to your MS account and new HW ID.

Oops, didn't see you were the OP on the last post. Glad it still worked out.