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New motherboard. Do I need to reinstall Windows 8?

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  • Windows
  • Motherboards
  • Windows 8
  • Build
Last response: in Motherboards
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a b V Motherboard
September 8, 2014 7:09:47 AM

Simply put, I am going for a black/white/silver build and am swapping out some stuff.
I am replacing a "disgusting" gold/brown Z87-A for a Z97-AR (Before anyone says im wasting money, I have a buyer for my Z87 board at 120$, AR is costing me 150$).

Will I need to do a fresh install? I currently have a 1TB backup I did right before disassembling the pc (got a new case for the build).

More about : motherboard reinstall windows

September 8, 2014 7:11:58 AM

Yes, you will. Did you buy the OEM version of 8? If you did you will more than likely have to call Microsoft and re-install windows.
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a b V Motherboard
a b * Windows 8
September 8, 2014 7:12:02 AM

its the best policy
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a b V Motherboard
September 8, 2014 7:12:44 AM

Most likely, yes, because it is a different chipset Windows will recognize it as a whole new computer.
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Best solution

a c 281 V Motherboard
a b * Windows 8
September 8, 2014 7:26:10 AM

I suspect not.
Z97 and Z87 are very similar.
If you can boot with the Z97, all you need to do is install the new drivers that come with the Z97 motherboard.

I did such a change and was prepared for a clean install, but it was not needed. This was with windows 7, and I suspect that W8 is even easier.

If you have not yet done so, consider upgrading to a SSD. Clone your os drive to the ssd, assuming that your used space will fit. It makes everything you do feel so much quicker. Keep the 1tb drive for storage and backups. Samsung EVO is good and seems to be on sale.
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a b V Motherboard
September 8, 2014 7:48:02 AM

geofelt said:
I suspect not.
Z97 and Z87 are very similar.
If you can boot with the Z97, all you need to do is install the new drivers that come with the Z97 motherboard.

I did such a change and was prepared for a clean install, but it was not needed. This was with windows 7, and I suspect that W8 is even easier.

If you have not yet done so, consider upgrading to a SSD. Clone your os drive to the ssd, assuming that your used space will fit. It makes everything you do feel so much quicker. Keep the 1tb drive for storage and backups. Samsung EVO is good and seems to be on sale.


m running a 128gb Kingston SSD Now (wish I knew about the the performance change before I got it) and a 1tb WD blue for storage. I am hoping it is even easier considering that I'm swaping Asus for Asus.


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a c 1508 V Motherboard
a b * Windows 8
September 8, 2014 8:59:09 AM

I think you have a good chance of it booting without a reinstall.
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a b V Motherboard
September 8, 2014 8:00:29 PM

Booted into windows fine, build refresh complete. Now just need to paint my RAM
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a c 1508 V Motherboard
a b * Windows 8
September 8, 2014 8:01:05 PM

Glad to here , thought it would.
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