Replacing a motherboard

[Nick_156]

I'm going to be upgrading my motherboard and just want to know exactly how to do it. What steps need to be taken after I install the new motherboard. I'm running Windows 10 right now. Will the new mobo take care of everything or will I have to reinstall Windows or anything like that?

 

[USAFRet]

I'm going to be upgrading my motherboard and just want to know exactly how to do it. What steps need to be taken after I install the new motherboard. I'm running Windows 10 right now. Will the new mobo take care of everything or will I have to reinstall Windows or anything like that?

2 considerations - Licensing and Operation.

Licensing - Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

Operation - Will it actually boot up?
Maybe, maybe not.
Prepare for if it does not.
Anyone who says "oh, it always works" simply has not done it enough times to see it fail.

Prepare for it it requires a full reinstall.

 

[Nick_156]

Do you think it would be safest to get a new hdd and go about it like I'm just building a new pc, then plug in my old hdd?

 

[USAFRet]

Do you think it would be safest to get a new hdd and go about it like I'm just building a new pc, then plug in my old hdd?

The physical drive makes no difference. It is the OS on that drive.
It may or may not boot up.

But more drive space is always good.