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Does changing motherboards mean buying a new OS???

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  • Motherboards
  • Operating Systems
Last response: in Motherboards
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September 6, 2014 10:12:56 AM

Hey Guys,
Thinking of upgrading my CPU to an i7 (or anything more powerful than an a10 6800k) as it is bottlenecking my GTX 780.
I know that in doing this i will have to change my motherboard and this is where my question lies.
If i change my motherboard i know i will have to reinstall my operating system, but can i use the same key or will i be forced to buy a brand new OS.

More about : changing motherboards buying

a c 147 V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 10:22:58 AM

Possibly if you are using an OEM version of win 7 or older then replacing the motherboard would require you to buy a new windows license. If its a retail copy it can be moved. For win 8 if its the OEM version that comes preinstalled with the product key embedded in the bios then you would have to buy windows. The OEM system builder and retail versions of win 8(and 8.1) can be moved.
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September 6, 2014 10:26:20 AM

what is the difference between retail and OEM?
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a b V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 10:27:38 AM

You definitely need to reinstall windows. And no,you don't have to buy a new OS.Just reactivate it by reinstalling.
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a c 147 V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 10:47:53 AM

Earleinator said:
what is the difference between retail and OEM?


Retail is usually more expensive and allows you to move it to another system as long as its only running on 1 system. OEM can be bought by the end user(they are not by any means limited to OEM manufacture like Dell and HP) and they are available on many sites like newegg and amazon, but with win 7(and older) once they are installed they are locked to that motherboard. There are 2 OEM versions of win 8 the system builders version that you can buy from sites like Newegg and Amazon and thse can be moved(unlike win 7) to a new system aslong as it is installed on 1 system at a time. The 2nd OEM version of from OEM manufactures(dell, HP, etc) these have the product key embedded in the bios and can't be moved to another system. If the key is OEM it will usually say OEM on the product key sticker.
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a b V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 10:51:33 AM

bignastyid said:
Earleinator said:
what is the difference between retail and OEM?


Retail is usually more expensive and allows you to move it to another system as long as its only running on 1 system. OEM can be bought by the end user(they are not by any means limited to OEM manufacture like Dell and HP) and they are available on many sites like newegg and amazon, but with win 7(and older) once they are installed they are locked to that motherboard. There are 2 OEM versions of win 8 the system builders version that you can buy from sites like Newegg and Amazon and thse can be moved(unlike win 7) to a new system aslong as it is installed on 1 system at a time. The 2nd OEM version of from OEM manufactures(dell, HP, etc) these have the product key embedded in the bios and can't be moved to another system. If the key is OEM it will usually say OEM on the product key sticker.


That pretty much sums it all up. :) 
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a c 1529 V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 10:55:15 AM

With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8.1 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8.1 you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.





OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system


Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com





Windows 8 is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.asp...
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September 8, 2014 9:01:00 PM

I didn't need to with my retail version of Windows 7 64-bit.

I replaced my Asus Z77-Pro motherboard with an Asus Z97-Pro, and replaced my i5-3570k with my i7-4790k, along with different RAM. I did not have to re-install windows. When asked to activate Windows 7, I pressed the activate online option, and it worked fine. Microsoft Office also activated properly. Didn't even have to insert my key.

Kept reading about needing to reinstall Windows, so I was a bit worried. But for whatever reason it worked fine in my case.
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