Does new Mobo require new Windows 10 license

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DerpyHackintosh

DerpyHackintosh

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Nov 10, 2013
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I'm about to receive a different motherboard from a RMA fiasco (they were out of stock for my model) and I know that I will have to make a clean install of windows because the drivers are different. Since the motherboard is different, do I have to purchase a new windows 10 key? I saw in this article I could contact Microsoft and they could give me a new activation if they know it is the same computer. Is this true?
 
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InvalidError
If you have an OEM license, the license is locked to your old motherboard and the reason you need to do a phone-based activation is to ask Microsoft to clear your OEM license registration so you can re-install it on a new warranty replacement motherboard.

Yes, they do it if you manage to convince the Microsoft rep that you will be re-installing on the same PC.

If you have a retail version, you simply activate using the normal key and there shouldn't be any issues as long as there is only one PC using that key within a given time span.
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InvalidError

InvalidError

Titan
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If you have an OEM license, the license is locked to your old motherboard and the reason you need to do a phone-based activation is to ask Microsoft to clear your OEM license registration so you can re-install it on a new warranty replacement motherboard.

Yes, they do it if you manage to convince the Microsoft rep that you will be re-installing on the same PC.

If you have a retail version, you simply activate using the normal key and there shouldn't be any issues as long as there is only one PC using that key within a given time span.
 
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seogoat

seogoat

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Jan 2, 2009
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If the upgrade was from an OEM version of windows (vista,7 or 8) to windows 10, assuming you upgraded, then the windows 10 will be an oem version which will mean you will need to purchase a full retail version of windows 10 as the oem version pertains to the hardware and if you change the backbone of the pc i.e. the motherboard I guess they will decide the oem is invalid. You could try phoning Microsoft and trying to convice them that you deserve to keep the current version. It worked for me before when I changed a motherboard on a previous OEM version.
 
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DerpyHackintosh

DerpyHackintosh

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Nov 10, 2013
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I originally had a retail version of windows 7 (I built the PC) and I upgraded to 10. Will the windows 7 activation key work to install windows 10? Or should I re-install 7 and then upgrade to 10 for free?

 
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