transfering windows 10 to a new build

[spaceshipcowboy]

Hi just wanted to know something. (sorry intel users but Im on a budget) I currently have a asus M4A87TD EVO motherboard with an amd 4 core cpu. I wanted to upgrade to a ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 with an 8 core cpu. amd 3+ still the same.
My question is if I have windows 10 free upgrade from windows 7 can I still transfer the licence to a new build. do I have to do a clean install or
Can I in effect just plug my hard drive into the new build without reinstalling it.

 

[clarkjd]

New motherboard and CPU will require new motherboard drivers to work properly, so a clean install would be best. However, unless your windows 7 was a full retail version(NOT an OEM version), you will run into activation issues that would require at least a phone call to Micro$oft, and probably the purchase of a new license.

 

[spaceshipcowboy]

"So I ring Microsoft and they seemed really good about it about moving windows 10 to a new motherboard.

OK so inspite of everyone telling me not to I went and did it anyway which is boot the existing HD on my new motherboard. (I know I know risk breaking the motherboard. and still do not recommend people doing this) then after it booted did a clean install using the ''reset this PC'' tool pretty much wiping everything but keeping the windows 10 shell. Then I proceeded to install all the new drivers. all the programs etc pretty much installing everything form scratch. Haven't had any problems so far and haven't come across any validation issues. ticking along as it should.

By the way I had a OEM version of windows 7.

 

[clarkjd]

"So I ring Microsoft and they seemed really good about it about moving windows 10 to a new motherboard.

OK so inspite of everyone telling me not to I went and did it anyway which is boot the existing HD on my new motherboard. (I know I know risk breaking the motherboard. and still do not recommend people doing this) then after it booted did a clean install using the ''reset this PC'' tool pretty much wiping everything but keeping the windows 10 shell. Then I proceeded to install all the new drivers. all the programs etc pretty much installing everything form scratch. Haven't had any problems so far and haven't come across any validation issues. ticking along as it should.

By the way I had a OEM version of windows 7.

The



Validation issues may not show up for a while. I believe you have a thirty day grace period.

 

[spaceshipcowboy]

will let you know if I have issues after 30 days. My system still says Windows activated and the product key still says digital entitlement. I have done all the updates. But I will give Microsoft another ring just to make sure.

 

[spaceshipcowboy]

so is this your professional opinion because Microsoft has never actually wanted to explain exactly how the "hardware-based" Windows activation process works with windows 10. inspite of all the tech reviews and answers saying its tied to the motherboard. and I wouldn't say Ive actually changed that significantly. though my previous motherboard was always incompatible with the software that came with the motherboard under windows 10.

 

[spaceshipcowboy]

so OK so Ive just being talking to Microsoft and they say as long as Ive successfully installed cumulative update 1511 and no validation issues . Im good to go.

thanks clarkjd for your help.

 

[clarkjd]

No Problem! Glad it all worked out!