Will I have to re-install/re-buy Windows 8.1 if I replace my motherboard to a completely different model?

introvertednumnut · Oct 28, 2014

I plan on upgrading my CPU and the current motherboard I have (MSI A78M-E35 FM2+) is obviously not compatible with high end CPU's. I actually want to upgrade to an Intel motherboard as well. I currently use Windows 8.1 (Windows 8.1 System Builder OEM DVD 64-Bit). Will I be able to just swap my motherboard and have everything still working? Will it boot up normally just like it did before the upgrade? Or will I have to re-install Windows 8.1/re-buy it.

qazzi · Oct 28, 2014

you can try this http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/making-sure-windows-7-will-boot-after-changing-the-motherboard/

Aidan Sweeney · Oct 28, 2014

introvertednumnut :

You will not have to reinstall or buy Windows again.

The motherboard when you first put it in will most likely try to boot from CD. Change that, by pressing Delete (most likely Delete, sometimes it's different) to go into the BIOS, and go to Boot, Boot Order, etc. Then change it to your hard drive or SSD that Windows is installed on, then ave changes and it should boot into Windows as it was.

EDIT: The reason it's most likely gonna boot from a CD (or try to) is because when you get a new one they think you're gonna put it in a new system.

USAFRet · Oct 28, 2014

Repurchase, no.
Reinstall, probably. Going from an AMD platform to an Intel platform generally dictates a reinstall.

introvertednumnut · Nov 6, 2014

Okay, thank god!

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