Upgrading PC parts, will my windows 10 stay the same?

dhmnuts

Reputable
Mar 9, 2014
101
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4,710
I don't remember exactly what I read, but I'm upgrading my mobo, ram, cpu, all that good stuff. Keeping my HDD the same, will my windows be perfectly fine? From what I remember when I read the activation for windows knows your mobo or something along those lines. Sorry if I'm not making any sense, but do I have to worry about my windows at all or anything with these upgrades.
 
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Your wording made sense to me. :)

Here's what I think is confusing you: motherboard tied activation vs account tied activation. Yes, I used confusing wording on purpose. The rest of this response will be more professional. :lol:

Anyways, are you signed in with a Microsoft Account? If not, please create one. Once logged into Windows with your Microsoft...

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
2 issues: Operation and Licensing

Operation
All new hardware, it may or may not boot with the existing OS on that drive. You may have to do a full reinstall.
And it is generally recommended to do that anyway.
So prepare for this.

Create your own Win 10 install DVD or USB, here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Licensing
Upon seeing a new motherboard, your activation will fail.
Read and do this first
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
 


Your wording made sense to me. :)

Here's what I think is confusing you: motherboard tied activation vs account tied activation. Yes, I used confusing wording on purpose. The rest of this response will be more professional. :lol:

Anyways, are you signed in with a Microsoft Account? If not, please create one. Once logged into Windows with your Microsoft Account, the activation will be tied to the account and not the motherboard. This means that you can change the board and it will reactivate.

On a side note, Windows sometimes gets super confused after a motherboard swap. If it just seems unstable, you'll have to fresh install. Don't provide an activation code when it asks, instead just sign in with your Microsoft Account and it will reactivate. Because the possibility that Windows may fail to boot after a motherboard swap, I always recommend backing up all important data before changing the motherboard.

https://www.microsoft.com/
 
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