New Motherboard/HD's with existing Windows key

[Rtoder209]

i plan on getting a new HDD along with a SSD for the OS and some programs.

I would also like to change my motherboard in the process as well to prepare for next gen CPU's (Z87 > Z97)

My question is can i reuse my Windows key with not only the new HD, but also the new motherboard?

 

[Lawrence Taylor]

you would have to call microsoft for help with this, because on your old motherboard your Product key for windows is embedded in it. So when you hook up your new motherboard, and HDD or SDD (make sure you transfer your files from your old drive to the new one) your windows will boot up, but it wouldnt be activated.

 

[bignastyid]

Is it a retail or oem copy of windows? Also there is no real point in upgrading a z87 to a z97, the Z97 does support broadwell but broadwell is kind of a let down and not worth the price over haswell.

 

[Lawrence Taylor]

if its OEM you basically cannot do anything, because it is only tied to that motherboard.

if its Retail you're good.

 

[Lawrence Taylor]

if its OEM you basically cannot do anything, because it is only tied to that motherboard.

if its Retail you're good.

 

[aldan]

im losing track of the times ive phoned microsoft to activate my oem os on another computer with no problems.just tell them your motherboard fried.

 

[Rtoder209]

im losing track of the times ive phoned microsoft to activate my oem os on another computer with no problems.just tell them your motherboard fried.

ah i hope this is true. I just want to know if I can simply replace my motherboard without losing anything? is this true for you?

 

[Rtoder209]

Is it a retail or oem copy of windows? Also there is no real point in upgrading a z87 to a z97, the Z97 does support broadwell but broadwell is kind of a let down and not worth the price over haswell.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H09BB16?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01

this is the windows i have

 

[bignastyid]

Is it a retail or oem copy of windows? Also there is no real point in upgrading a z87 to a z97, the Z97 does support broadwell but broadwell is kind of a let down and not worth the price over haswell.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H09BB16?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01

this is the windows i have

That's an OEM copy.

 

[Rtoder209]

Is it a retail or oem copy of windows? Also there is no real point in upgrading a z87 to a z97, the Z97 does support broadwell but broadwell is kind of a let down and not worth the price over haswell.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H09BB16?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01

this is the windows i have

That's an OEM copy.

Would calling microsoft and asking them to help me be of use?

I want to basically replace my motherboard without losing anything

 

[aldan]

you should be able to activate by phone but you will of course need to do a clean install of windows,so back up your data.programs will need to be reinstalled.

 

[bignastyid]

You can try but I wouldn't hold my breath. Honestly I dont see any point in going from a z87 to a z97 for future cpu support as the only cpu the z97 supports that the z87 doesnt is Broadwell and broadwell has rather disappointing performance, they are slower than Haswell.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-5775c-i5-5675c-broadwell,4169.html

 

[Rtoder209]

You can try but I wouldn't hold my breath. Honestly I dont see any point in going from a z87 to a z97 for future cpu support as the only cpu the z97 supports that the z87 doesnt is Broadwell and broadwell has rather disappointing performance, they are slower than Haswell.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-5775c-i5-5675c-broadwell,4169.html

it supports broadwell and also all future CPU's im guessing, no?

 

[bignastyid]

You can try but I wouldn't hold my breath. Honestly I dont see any point in going from a z87 to a z97 for future cpu support as the only cpu the z97 supports that the z87 doesnt is Broadwell and broadwell has rather disappointing performance, they are slower than Haswell.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-5775c-i5-5675c-broadwell,4169.html

it supports broadwell and also all future CPU's im guessing, no?

The Z97s cpu supports ends at broadwell. Skylake uses the new socket 1151 and is not compatible with the socket 1150 boards like the z97.

 

[Rtoder209]

You can try but I wouldn't hold my breath. Honestly I dont see any point in going from a z87 to a z97 for future cpu support as the only cpu the z97 supports that the z87 doesnt is Broadwell and broadwell has rather disappointing performance, they are slower than Haswell.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-core-i7-5775c-i5-5675c-broadwell,4169.html

it supports broadwell and also all future CPU's im guessing, no?

The Z97s cpu supports ends at broadwell. Skylake uses the new socket 1151 and is not compatible with the socket 1150 boards like the z97.

hmm, so would you say i am not outdated then with a Z87 board?

 

[bignastyid]

Skylake only performs a little bit better than Haswell. Haswell is still viable.

 

[Rtoder209]

Skylake only performs a little bit better than Haswell. Haswell is still viable.

Ok, I will settle with keeping my Z87 then.

I have another question if thats ok...

I want to get a new SSD / HDD as my current is full. Now i dont want to copy over any files, just a few game saves and thats it. My question is can i use my Windows again on my new SSD? Will it work on boot when i enter the key or put the disc in?

 

[bignastyid]

Yes, you can use that key on a new ssd its locked to the motherboard not the hdd/ssd.

 

[Rtoder209]

Yes, you can use that key on a new ssd its locked to the motherboard not the hdd/ssd.

Thank you for your help