Rebuilding a System Around a Drive

[PTG16]

This is probably a conceptually dumb question.

I'm planning on updating my desktop (new CPU, which requires new mobo, going to throw in some new RAM while I'm at it, etc.) and -- please don't yell at me -- I'd like to keep using Windows 7. My desktop is already running Windows 7, off of an SSD, but I assume I can't simply disconnect everything, install the new parts, plug my drives back in and have it all work because the drivers will be all wrong, among other things. I might be missing something painfully obvious, but what would be the best way to keep my existing operating system and rebuild my system?

Thanks in advance for any help, I always feel like such a rookie asking broad questions like this but taking stuff apart and putting it back together functionally is intimidating.

 

[kanewolf]

Do a fresh install from media of Windows 7. Depending on how new your motherboard, that might be easy or hard. Newest motherboards are not natively supported by Windows 7. You usually have to create a custom Windows 7 install disk using a motherboard manufacturer supplied tool to add compatible drivers to the base install.

 

[PTG16]

Do a fresh install from media of Windows 7. Depending on how new your motherboard, that might be easy or hard. Newest motherboards are not natively supported by Windows 7. You usually have to create a custom Windows 7 install disk using a motherboard manufacturer supplied tool to add compatible drivers to the base install.

Is that to say this is potentially impossible and I should just suck it up and get Windows 10 if I'm upgrading to a Z370 board?

 

[Paul NZ]

Yup. Ryzens and Coffee Lake mobo dont really like Win7.

It may not even install . And depending on if you install the updates, that blocks updates, you wont be able to update it either

And yup you will have to reinstall whatever

 

[RolandJS]

I have three computers running Windows 7 Professional, of which they will have to pry my warm or cold fingers off of; however, my newest laptop came with Windows 8, and were no and still are no Acer Aspire V3 7-something Window 7 drivers on Acer website; so, I had to have a local business-oriented computer store's in-house tech pull of heatsinks, write down manufacturer info off of numerous chips, load my W7P, download and install all the drivers necessary from the numerous device manufacturers. Your call

 

[PTG16]

Yup. Ryzens and Coffee Lake mobo dont really like Win7.

It may not even install . And depending on if you install the updates, that blocks updates, you wont be able to update it either

And yup you will have to reinstall whatever

Well, I did it. I'm on Win10 now. When I eventually do upgrade, is it now feasible to replace the CPU and mobo and hook it back up to this drive and have it work...?

I have three computers running Windows 7 Professional, of which they will have to pry my warm or cold fingers off of; however, my newest laptop came with Windows 8, and were no and still are no Acer Aspire V3 7-something Window 7 drivers on Acer website; so, I had to have a local business-oriented computer store's in-house tech pull of heatsinks, write down manufacturer info off of numerous chips, load my W7P, download and install all the drivers necessary from the numerous device manufacturers. Your call

I honestly respect your dedication.