Upgrade Motherboard: Fresh Install Before or After Hardware Change?

[Shade_Koopa]

I am currently about to upgrade my computer's motherboard and CPU to new and better hardware. I was told I would need to do a fresh install of Windows in order for things to go smoothly. My question is: Do I initiate a fresh install of Windows before or after I do a hardware change?

 

[Rhinofart]

After hardware change.

 

[mcnumpty23]

after

 

[Dunlop0078]

After. It would not make sense to do it before with your old hardware, the point of reinstalling windows is to make sure windows gets the correct drivers and applies the correct windows settings for your new hardware.

If you have windows 10 make sure you linked your key to a Microsoft account and that its a retail key, if you want windows activation to go smoothly after you reinstall. I linked an article/guide on this below.

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/transfer-windows-10-license-new-pc/

 

[captaincharisma]

it wouldn't make any sense to do it before changing it