New motherboard after Windows 10 release

[rljohnsen]

I will be getting a free upgrade to Windows 10 July 29, like many others, which is "free for the life of the system" according to Microsoft. A month or so later, I hope to upgrade my 2500K cpu plus Z68 motherboard setup to a Skylake i5, necessitating a new motherboard with an 1151 socket. Does anyone know if I can use my new free windows 10 on it, or must I buy another copy since the motherboard was changed?

 

[i7Baby]

Its still your one and only PC so you should be fine.

 

[USAFRet]

It probably depends on exactly what type of license you have, OEM or Retail.
MS considers the motherboard to be "the PC", so it is unknown as to whether your particular circumstance would warrant a new OS.

I'd wait until after the new motherboard, just to be sure. And to avoid any "new OS on Day 1" issues.

 

[rljohnsen]

Hope so - but then what does MS base the id of the computer on? I thought the motherboard identified the system to them. I assume if I buy an all new computer but try to use the old system disk they will want a new license - how is that different from changing the motherboard?

 

[rljohnsen]

->USAFRet: My current 8.1 system was the $35 windows pro offered when windows 8 first appeared. I think your suggestion is prudent, and probably the way to go, if even my 8.1 system will transfer in the first place!

 

[Azn Cracker]

Yea if you change the motherboard then I don't think your windows license will work. You can always call Microsoft and tell them the situation. They may let you transfer it.

 

[orlbuckeye]

First of all it's based on whether the original OS is OEM or Retail. 80% at least of the OS licenses are Retail. When you buy a PC fro OEM such as Dell the Key is setup in the factory by Dell and activated. Retail keys aren't tied to the motherboard and/or processor.

It's isn't different. If you buy a PC and upgrade the motherboard after the OS has been activated legally a new OS is required but that up to the Microsoft staff that answers the phone if you call to activate.

Rules:

1. Once an OEM OS is activated it technically can't be activated again.
1. If you replace a Motherboard and/or the processor on the same computer.
2. On a different computer with a different motherboard then the one it was activated on.

Now putting the motherboard in a new case with more memory and new hard drives ISN'T considered a new PC.

Now if the motherboard and/or processor goes bad and it's replaced by the OEM or if you purchase from the OEM and you replace a new OS isn't required.

 

[rljohnsen]

Thanks - that's quite clear and useful. It would be nice if the OS were considered as a purchased product on it's own, and simply limited to installation on a single computer at a time. That would allow removal from one computer and installation on another without repurchase, but would seem to be very difficult to manage. I suspect Microsoft has problems trying to enforce this fairly.

 

[Azn Cracker]

First of all it's based on whether the original OS is OEM or Retail. 80% at least of the OS licenses are Retail. When you buy a PC fro OEM such as Dell the Key is setup in the factory by Dell and activated. Retail keys aren't tied to the motherboard and/or processor.

It's isn't different. If you buy a PC and upgrade the motherboard after the OS has been activated legally a new OS is required but that up to the Microsoft staff that answers the phone if you call to activate.

Rules:

1. Once an OEM OS is activated it technically can't be activated again.
1. If you replace a Motherboard and/or the processor on the same computer.
2. On a different computer with a different motherboard then the one it was activated on.

Now putting the motherboard in a new case with more memory and new hard drives IS'NT considered a new PC.

Now if the motherboard and/or processor goes bad and it's replaced by the OEM or if you purchase from the OEM and you replace a new OS isn't required.

Where do you get your data that 80% of licenses are retail?

[strike]Microsoft doesn't sell the retail licenses anymore[/strike] (Edit: Nvm I guess they started selling it again). [strike]They are all OEM.[/strike] In the past I would think more people went for the OEM copy because it was cheaper.

 

[orlbuckeye]

First of all it's based on whether the original OS is OEM or Retail. 80% at least of the OS licenses are Retail. When you buy a PC fro OEM such as Dell the Key is setup in the factory by Dell and activated. Retail keys aren't tied to the motherboard and/or processor.

It's isn't different. If you buy a PC and upgrade the motherboard after the OS has been activated legally a new OS is required but that up to the Microsoft staff that answers the phone if you call to activate.

Rules:

1. Once an OEM OS is activated it technically can't be activated again.
1. If you replace a Motherboard and/or the processor on the same computer.
2. On a different computer with a different motherboard then the one it was activated on.

Now putting the motherboard in a new case with more memory and new hard drives IS'NT considered a new PC.

Now if the motherboard and/or processor goes bad and it's replaced by the OEM or if you purchase from the OEM and you replace a new OS isn't required.

Where do you get your data that 80% of licenses are retail?

[strike]Microsoft doesn't sell the retail licenses anymore[/strike] (Edit: Nvm I guess they started selling it again). [strike]They are all OEM.[/strike] In the past I would think more people went for the OEM copy because it was cheaper.

I'm just guessing since most PC's are purchased with OEM and aren't upgraded at all.

I ment are OEM not retail. Most PC come with OEM and are never upgraded.

 

[teknobug]

I have changed motherboards or moved a HDD to another PC and never had problems re-activating Windows, but I'm wonder if Windows 10 will change that- we shall wait and see.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Hard drives don't matter. It's processors and/or motherboards. Retail windows you can change motherboards and/or processors but OEM activation is tied to the motherboard. You can change motherboards if one breaks but you can't upgrade or according to the license agreement you can't activate.

 

[orlbuckeye]

Thanks - that's quite clear and useful. It would be nice if the OS were considered as a purchased product on it's own, and simply limited to installation on a single computer at a time. That would allow removal from one computer and installation on another without repurchase, but would seem to be very difficult to manage. I suspect Microsoft has problems trying to enforce this fairly.

Well the issue is that MS licenses the OS to the OEM and that licenses is supported by the OEM. Now if you buy the retail which is not ties to hardware then you can install it on multiple PC's just not at the same time. So if a PC dies you can install the OS somewhere else. They also have the OEM that are intended for system builders but are sold through places like Newegg they are tied to the machine you first install it on.