Is it possible to switch motherboards?

[Bryan121813]

Hey what's up guys? So I just wanted to ask if I can replace my motherboard in the future without re installing the OS? I have a MSI h81m-e33 mATX motherboard with a PCIEx16 gen 2 slot and up to 16GB of RAM. Now I don't need to upgrade next year or even the year after. I made this system to last me the next 4 years till I got to college and get a job. I have an i5 4590 and a GTX 960 with 8GB of RAM, so I don't see myself needing an upgrade in 3 years minimum. Maybe I want to upgrade the GPU in the future and the new GPU might only support a gen 3 slot. By the time I save up money however to buy a GPU worthy of an upgrade to my 960, which is going to be around a $300 upgrade by itself. But I'm just curious about the topic and if maybe there's a Z97 on sale for like $40-60 dollars in the future, then I'll try my best to snag it, but if it costs another $100 to install an OS because I have to, then I won't do it.

 

[USAFRet]

So I just wanted to ask if I can replace my motherboard in the future without re installing the OS?

Yes, there is some small chance that this may work.
Usually, you need to do a full reinstall.

Buying a new OS license may or may not be required.