DO I Have To Re Buy Windows??? I I Buy New Parts???

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hockeyplayer

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Feb 16, 2014
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I looked around and could not find a direct answer, some said one things others said the opposite.

So basically what parts of my PC if I replace will require me to buy another Windows 7 OS?

Motherboard?
CPU?
RAM?
HDD? and or SSD?
Optical Drive?
Graph. Card?

I'm NEW to building and just wondering.

THanks All for any help.
 
Solution
Wolfshadw
Yes, it's only tied to the motherboard. You can swap out any other component and still use the same license. Only if your replace the motherboard will you legally be required to purchase a new license. However, if you replace the motherboard with an exact duplicate, it's possible that Windows will re-activate without you having to contact Microsoft over the phone.

I don't know who told you motherboards get old and need replacing, but unless you intend to build a new system every time motherboard tech gets updated, the motherboard you purchase will likely last you the lifetime of your computer.

-Wolf sends
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mreky

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Agree with scout_03 if you have a "OEM" Windows that came with the computer or that was so labeled when you bought it. That's locked to the original hardware so any more than trivial changes (say, adding RAM but not replacing the original) will require some crying on MS' corporate shoulder at best - outright NO_buy_another at worst.

However, if you have a "retail" copy of Windows that you purchased separately from the hardware (usually more expensive than the "OEM" type), then you can change pretty much anything in the computer and at worst you might have to re-activate it. With a retail version, I've changed motherboard/CPU with new/more memory and NOT have to re-activate (though a repair install was needed to change the motherboard-related parts of Windows), but changed graphics card and DID - go figure. But in none of those cases was a new purchase necessary - at worst (with a new hard disk) a reinstall from the original CD/DVD and wait through a couple of days of updates (and reactivate, which has never been a problem for me - YMMV as many can tell you).
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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That depends on which version of Windows 7 you own, either retail or OEM.

Per the license agreement, if you own and install the OEM version of Windows 7, it is tied to your motherboard and it may not be installed onto any other system. Per personal experience, if you upgrade your system to include a new motherboard, and re-install Windows 7 OEM onto that new system, online activation will likely fail and you will be required to activate over the phone. Often, after explaining your situation, the Microsoft rep will provide you with a new activation key, however, they are under no legal obligation to do so.

If you own a retail version of Windows 7, it may be installed and activated up to three times (never on more than one system at a time). After that, telephone activation will likely be required.

-Wolf sends
 
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hockeyplayer

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i bought this from NewEgg for my recent build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
( Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM )

Everything works great I just wondered if I ever upgraded hardware id I'd need to rebuy windows. It would seem pretty ridiculous to me to have to spend another $100 just to upgrade your current build. But i could see how people may be able to take advantage of that.
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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As it's an OEM version, it's tied to the motherboard you initially install it on. Legally, if you were to change the motherboard, you would be required to also purchase a new license for Windows 7. However, as stated above, you may be able to phone Microsoft and they may allow you to activate the old license on the new motherboard. You have no legal recourse if they opt not to.

-Wolf sends
 
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hockeyplayer

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That is okay, I was just wondering. So it is only tied to the MOBO? so if I swap out other parts its okay to do? Or what is I got the same exact motherboard? I have a ASRock extreme 3 (new edition). I just heard that the mobo is the one part that seems to become old and need replaced most often, due to newer better tech. I was also wondering how long the extreme 3 should last me? not as in life of the part but future changes in hardware.

Thanks You!!!
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Yes, it's only tied to the motherboard. You can swap out any other component and still use the same license. Only if your replace the motherboard will you legally be required to purchase a new license. However, if you replace the motherboard with an exact duplicate, it's possible that Windows will re-activate without you having to contact Microsoft over the phone.

I don't know who told you motherboards get old and need replacing, but unless you intend to build a new system every time motherboard tech gets updated, the motherboard you purchase will likely last you the lifetime of your computer.

-Wolf sends
 
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