Do i need to re-install Windows 8 if i install a new motherboard?

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

So im thinking of upgrading my CPU to an FX 6300 or 8320 from an a10-6800k. I would need to get a new mobo too, to an ASRock 990FX Extreme4. I heard i would have to re-install my OS, Windows 8 64bit, if i get a new mobo and i really really really really really dont want to do that. I dont want to lose my info, data, applications, downloads, etc etc. So do i need to reinstall my OS if i get a new mobo? If i do, how can i backup my data and everything so if i do reinstall my OS i can just like restore from the backup so everything is the same way it was before reinstalling, like now

? Thanks!

JackNaylorPE · Aug 18, 2013

It is highly recommended.

Suggestion..... buy an SSD for new build.....Install OS onto SSD .... after that's done insert ya HD and delete windows files.

Your data will remain intact and installing programs on the HD over themselves will setup needed registry settings without losing any customizations that you have done

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

But is there any way that i can easily backup, basically me entire pc, so that after i re-install windows, i can just easily transfer all the data or restore from the backup or something so that basically after i install the new board and re-install windows it will look and work the same way it does right now? Thats all i want, lol. Did i mention, easy?

thenewnumber2 · Aug 18, 2013

You're going to be reinstalling all of your software if you reinstall Windows, no way to avoid it.

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

Now im thinking of just forgetting about upgrading my mobo and unfortunaetly also my cpu

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

DarkDubzs :

Check this post out from the Windows forum: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/transfer-files-settings-another-pc

It is a process called "Easy transfer" that copies your files and settings to a USB or external HDD. Then, once you install Windows to your new PC, you run Easy transfer again and it will copy these files and settings to your new system. This way it will be configured like your old system. From what it looks like, though, you still need to install all your programs again. It seems that there is no other way around it. The good news is that with a faster CPU the install times will be a bit shorter.

Install times dont matter to me, well i guess they do

, but what matters more to me is having to re download and install EVERYTHING, games, programs, etc. PLUS any settings i might have set for them. UGH

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

DarkDubzs :

If you downloaded a lot of programs and did not delete the original download, they should still be in your "my documents" or "my downloads" folder. You can copy all those executable files to a USB or HDD as well. That would save a ton of time downloading. As for settings, that forum post should take care of that. That only leaves you with the burden of installing Windows and the programs. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes per program and no more than 10 minutes per game. Once everything is installed, run easy transfer and it will change all the settings for your programs, desktop, browsers, etc. to how you had them on your old PC.

Well i dont think i have deleted much or anything from "Downloads," but the games are what worry me since i have deleted any ISO files i had to install from games that i had bought on Xbox 360 and got for PC to transfer saves to game on PC now. Plus, i might lose my game saves somehow. Something always goes wrong, all i can say is UGH

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

I know im going to have to redownload every game like Skyrim, Far Cry 3, Saints Row 3, etc. Plus, ill have to find the saves of each game, and they might get corrupted during transferring them or whatever. Why is doing something so simple so difficult? once again, UGHHHHH

thenewnumber2 · Aug 18, 2013

If you're using Steam you can migrate the installation to another HDD or PC with all the games remaining intact. No need to reinstall anything. You do have to be careful about the saved games files, though: some games store them in unusual places and these will be lost if you don't manually seek them out and backup. And I guess you can re-pirate your "isos" ;-)

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

thenewnumber2 :

I guess, dont get me wrong here, the only pirated games i got are because i already own them on my Xbox 360, like skyrim for example, yes i pirated it, but i own it on my Xbox 360 and i want to play Skyrim on pc now, i dont see why i should have to buy it again on PC if i already purchased it for Xbox. I transferred my saves from Skyrim on Xbox to PC easily without any "hacks" or anything, just a USB flash drive

thenewnumber2 · Aug 18, 2013

I'm just busting your chops, man. I couldn't care less where you got your stuff. Anyway, you're entitled to have a backup copy of any software that you own, so I think you're on solid ground.

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

thenewnumber2 :

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

Would it be possible to like copy or move all the files and literally everything on my pc to another drive or something and use that drive after i reinstall the OS so it would look the same before i reinstalled the OS? I know its a dumb idea and probably wont work, but its just a crazy idea. Would it work?

DarkDubzs · Aug 18, 2013

u_gonna_squeal_b4_we_cookya :

DarkDubzs :

No, you will get the same result. This is due to the Windows registry. It is like a bunch of social security numbers assigned to each program that only allows that program to work on the hardware and operating system that it was installed on. If you copy the software to a new hard drive, you are also copying the registry. The only way to create a registry that will work with your new CPU and motherboard is to install the programs again. This is how Windows prevents pirating. If you had Linux, you could simply take your HDD out and pop it into another PC no matter what hardware it had. I have moved a Linux HDD from a Pentium 4 to an AMD Sempron and it worked great, did not even have to download any drivers.

What if i backup my pc to the cloud via a backup service or even if i just back up my pc normally to an external HD? Then i reinstall Windows 8, and "restore" from that backup?

thenewnumber2 · Aug 19, 2013

If you feel lucky... here's something that probably doesn't work, but I've heard it mentioned several times before. You sound like you might be just the guy to test out for us! Right before your hardware upgrade, go into the Windows Device Manager and delete everything. Then shut down your machine, do the hardware upgrade, then try to boot the machine with your old HDD. Supposedly, Windows is sometimes able to redetect the new hardware correctly. I'll mention again that I have little confidence in this method, but since you're dead against reinstalling your apps, maybe it's worth a try. If you decide to go for it, make a backup of your HDD first!

DarkDubzs · Aug 19, 2013

thenewnumber2 :

I guess i can try it, why not. But i dont think ill be upgrading soon

EDIT: ill just try using my current HDD after the hardware installation to see if Windows 8 will just recognize new hardware and carry on from there, hopefully so, if that works then ill be golden, if not ill try what you asked.

Zircoben · Jul 1, 2014

DarkDubzs :

thenewnumber2 :

I guess i can try it, why not. But i dont think ill be upgrading soon

EDIT: ill just try using my current HDD after the hardware installation to see if Windows 8 will just recognize new hardware and carry on from there, hopefully so, if that works then ill be golden, if not ill try what you asked.

Did it work? I want to do the same thing now.

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Do i need to re-install Windows 8 if i install a new motherboard?

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