Upgrading Windows and keeping software

Sn1ckles

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Apr 5, 2014
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After months of lurking around forums and scouring the internet, I think I've finally found a way to upgrade my computer and not lose my data. I am currently running Windows 7 Home Premium OEM, and want to swap out my AMD Asrock 970 extreme3 mobo & AMD FX-4100 CPU for an Asrock Fatal1ty Z87 Killer & Intel Pentium G3258. I can't afford to lose any data or apps, so I figured I'd buy and upgrade to Windows 8, then upgrade directly to Windows 8.1 for free (I've heard that by going from Windows 7 -> 8 -> 8.1, I can preserve all data, programs, settings, etc., rather than losing everything by going straight from Windows 7 to 8.1). After the OS upgrades, I then plan to change out my motherboard and CPU to Intel (correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Windows 8.1 allow you to do this without any reinstallation?). The ultimate goal here is to preserve just about everything I have on my hard drive now throughout the OS upgrades.

Will I be able to keep Microsoft Office 2010 when upgrading to windows 8, or will I lose it or have to try and reinstall it? This is very important to me. Also, can anyone confirm what I have heard (I will keep all my data and programs and stuff throughout the upgrades, and Windows 8.1 will let me easily upgrade mobo and CPU)?

Thanks a lot for your help!
 
Solution
Yes, it should work. Office is NOT licensed to the first motherboard. Update or reinstall as needed. As always, 1 PC per license.

USAFRet

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Usually it works. Usually.
Click the wrong box during install, accidental power outage, cat walking on the keyboard when you go get a drink of water....

Always, always, always have a copy of anything critical offline and elsewhere. Major software or hardware changes.
Applications can always be reinstalled. You personal files can't.
 

Sn1ckles

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I was sure to back up my computer to an external hard drive, so I'm pretty sure I'm all set there. And as far as my questions go, assuming there is no human error and the installation works as intended, the process should go as I'm planning? And I get to keep Microsoft Office? I heard Office was bound to the first mobo it was installed on, but I figured it might not mind if I was running Windows 8.1. I'm on a budget, so it would really suck to have to buy Office again... Anyways, thanks for your help!
 

Sn1ckles

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Thanks a lot! I'm looking forward to getting on with this upgrade. Crap, I forgot to ask; should there be any difference in the process if I upgrade to Windows 8 Pro, as opposed to just normal Windows 8? Since I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium and not Pro, would it just be smartest to track down a regular upgrade to Windows 8 and not "chance it" with Windows 8 Pro? Whichever path is safest and lets me keep my data is obviously preferred!

Would this be the best/most appropriate thing for me to buy now? Thanks again!
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator
But outside of a corporate environment, there is little need for Win 8 Pro.

You gain a few things like BitLocker, ability to join a domain, ability to host a remote desktop connection.

Are you going to use any of those features?
 

vagrancyx

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Yeah I'd agree, save yourself the $40+ dollar difference.
 

Sn1ckles

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Thanks, guys. I'm feeling pretty good about this now. Excited for my next paycheck! I only asked about Windows 8 Pro because I will be using upgrade versions of Windows 8, and I saw a sale a while back where Win8 Pro was cheaper than the standard version. However, with normal pricing, I will definitely stick with regular Windows 8. For the final time, thanks for all the replies!