Is it possible to build a new PC without having to buy Windows again?

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MattBeastblood

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Mar 25, 2013
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I have a desktop that came with Windows 8 installed to the hard drive when I bought it. I'm considering building a new PC because the CPU mine came with isn't quite enough for high end gaming (Intel i3-2130)


If I use the hard drive I have in my current PC for my next PC build, will I still have windows or will I have to buy a windows license for the new PC?

Will I have windows for as long as I have that hard drive and don't erase it or is that not how it works?

Also, I DO NOT WANT TO PIRATE WINDOWS, OR USE ANY OTHER OS, so PLEASE don't bother suggesting either of those solutions.

The problem with my current PC is that it's a gateway desktop that I put a 500w PSU and AMD 7850 graphics card in so putting a better CPU on that crappy gateway mobo doesn't seem like a good idea, and if I'm gonna put in a new mobo, I'm think gonna need a new case. At that point I might as well build a new PC right? but if I have to do all that and spend $100 it will probably end up being way too expensive for me to justify doing it at the moment.

But if there's any way around spending another $100 on windows other than pirating it or using another OS it would be a lot more feasible for me to upgrade soon.


 
Solution
bradsctt
None of us would suggest piracy anyway, its against the ToS of the forums.

Yes, the windows will still work, you will just have to call Microsoft (on the number shown in activation) and tell them you changed motherboard. They will give you the necessary information to activate windows again on the new PC.

It is usually suggested to re-install windows when you get a new motherboard, but you could use Windows refresh to set the system back to default. That would remove all of your programs though

The windows will be there as long as you don't wipe the drive.
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bradsctt

bradsctt

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Jun 9, 2012
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None of us would suggest piracy anyway, its against the ToS of the forums.

Yes, the windows will still work, you will just have to call Microsoft (on the number shown in activation) and tell them you changed motherboard. They will give you the necessary information to activate windows again on the new PC.

It is usually suggested to re-install windows when you get a new motherboard, but you could use Windows refresh to set the system back to default. That would remove all of your programs though

The windows will be there as long as you don't wipe the drive.
 
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Solution
bradsctt

bradsctt

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From what i understand, he plans to keep all of the current parts, and replace the motherboard and CPU. If he wasn't getting the new case, it would be just the same as if he was replacing the board.

Tons of people have done it.
 
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MattBeastblood

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Mar 25, 2013
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That's correct. All I really need to replace is the motherboard and CPU to start. I could take the RAM, hard drives, PSU, GPU, and optical drive from my current desktop to use for my new one so as far as Microsoft is concerned, it's just a mobo and CPU upgrade.

All the other upgrades are easy so right now I'm just concerned about upgrading the CPU and mobo

Thanks for the help

 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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^^ That too.
 
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bradsctt

bradsctt

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Ah true, forgot about how they do that now.
 
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