New Motherboard and my old HDD with Win8.1 working good! (No format/reinstallation) Question**

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Goose1697

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Feb 27, 2014
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I just recently upgraded my motherboard and RAM. Knowing I would have to reinstall windows 8 I backed up all my files and made a bootable usb. After swapping the motherboards and reinstalling all my hardware, I was presented the bios' boot menu. I boot up my HDD and what do you know, everything still works! Sound, mouse, keyboard, flash drives, internet, etc.

I was expecting it wipe it clean and reinstall windows but I might not at this point if it will save me the time of reinstalling my hundreds of applications and copying over all my files.

Do you guys think I should reinstall Windows anyway? Obviously my old product key no longer works so I'm hesitant to call Microsoft about the hardware change unless I know I'm staying with my old OS or starting clean. What do you guys think? Has anyone else ever successfully done this before with a new mobo for an extended period of time? Will I run into any problems?

One thing right off the bat that I have noticed BTW, the fans in my PC run more aggressively now and there are almost never quiet when idle anymore. Is it due to the bigger and more modern motherboard I am now using or is it funky because I'm using my old OS? Other than that, I'm being completely honest it seems as if everything is running real smooth.

Thanks in advance.

-Anthony
 
Solution
USAFRet
The licensing for Windows 8/8.1 has changed from previous.

The dividing line is now how you obtained it.

If you bought it and installed it, you can reinstall as many times as you want, on whatever hardware you want.
Only one PC at a time.
Yes, you may have to go through the phone robot to reactivate. I had to once.


If it was preinstalled, it is licensed to that specific hardware.
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Goose1697

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Feb 27, 2014
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I bought Windows 8. I have a Windows 8 Product Key. Ever since upgrading to my new motherboard, my OS is identical as before except it's no longer officially activated.

gpjG5QX.jpg


This is the screen I am now presented with. So if I call Microsoft and tell them about the hardware change, will they reinstate my activation/product key?
 
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Spectre694

Spectre694

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Feb 28, 2014
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Windows uses the motherboard to keep track of the system so to it when you changed the motherboard it may as well be a new computer.
Microsoft should let you do a phone activation with it no problem though.
 
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Goose1697

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Feb 27, 2014
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Good to hear! So just to confirm as I will be keeping my old OS build as of now; if I run into any problems in the future (forcing me to format-reinstall) I won't have to reactivate in the future correct? As my Win8 Key will be linked to my new motherboard regardless?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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The licensing for Windows 8/8.1 has changed from previous.

The dividing line is now how you obtained it.

If you bought it and installed it, you can reinstall as many times as you want, on whatever hardware you want.
Only one PC at a time.
Yes, you may have to go through the phone robot to reactivate. I had to once.


If it was preinstalled, it is licensed to that specific hardware.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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