Uninstalling Windows and reinstalling it as new after Mobo upgrade

[Cityfans135]

Hello, I am about to upgrade my CPU and Motherboard from an AMD based system to and Intel based system. I am currently running a retail copy of Windows 8.1 (Disk I bought at Office Depot). I have the disk everything is backed up, so I was wondering how I can uninstall Windows and clear everything off my SSD. After I complete the upgrade will I be able to reinstall Windows from the disk as it was new? Also, if it's possible, could I keep everything on my HDD, or could that cause conflicts? Sorry this is a sort of complicated question. Thanks!

 

[unksol]

Put the disk in. Boot off it. Delete the current Windows partition.create a new one. Install Windows.

 

[USAFRet]

Hello, I am about to upgrade my CPU and Motherboard from an AMD based system to and Intel based system. I am currently running a retail copy of Windows 8.1 (Disk I bought at Office Depot). I have the disk everything is backed up, so I was wondering how I can uninstall Windows and clear everything off my SSD. After I complete the upgrade will I be able to reinstall Windows from the disk as it was new? Also, if it's possible, could I keep everything on my HDD, or could that cause conflicts? Sorry this is a sort of complicated question. Thanks!

After the hardware swap, during the reinstall of the OS, you can wipe the SSD completely.
When it asks 'where', select Custom. Delete ALL existing partitions. Install.
Do this install with only the SSD connected. Reconnect the HDD after.

Any applications that live on the HDD will need to be reinstalled. Stuff like music/video/docs...those are no problem.

 

[mason marnell@1457018692]

What I would do is if you have everything you want off of your ssd, take out your hard drive (just so it won't cause any conflicts with the reinstall, the data on it will be kept), put your windows disc in the drive, restart your computer, follow the instructions for resetting the drive (you'll have to have your windows product key for this), and then once it finishes the installation you should be good to go. Also your programs (I'm guessing you have them installed on your ssd) won't be kept, so make sure you know which ones to get back.

 

[Cityfans135]

So I don't have to do anything before the hardware swap your saying? (Except unplug the hard drive) Then after the swap, I'll boot into bios and select boot from disk drive? That should bring me to the Windows installation thing, and there I can clear the ssd and install Windows. My biggest worry has to do with activation. Will I have to reactivate it not? If I do, would it know that I'm not using it on the old Mobo anymore or what? Thanks for the quick answers btw, it really means a lot!

 

[USAFRet]

So I don't have to do anything before the hardware swap your saying? (Except unplug the hard drive) Then after the swap, I'll boot into bios and select boot from disk drive? That should bring me to the Windows installation thing, and there I can clear the ssd and install Windows. My biggest worry has to do with activation. Will I have to reactivate it not? If I do, would it know that I'm not using it on the old Mobo anymore or what? Thanks for the quick answers btw, it really means a lot!

You are doing a whole new install. Yes, it will require activation.
This being a Retail license, it should be no problem.

It knows you are not using the old motherboard anymore, because that never again connects to the update/activation servers, with that particular license.

 

[Cityfans135]

Alright, thank you all so much for helping!