Using an old hard drive with windows 10 onto a new computer.

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RedBadRooster

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Dec 1, 2013
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I'm getting a new processor, that means I have to get a new motherboard. My old Motherboard and processor are going to be placed into my parents new PC. Problem is, how can I reuse that old hard drive without deleting all my games, files, and picture. I only want to delete the OS.
 
Solution
USAFRet
A Win 10 OEM license install is tied to that original motherboard.
You will no have 2 PC's, yours and your parents. You need another OS. That Windows 10 OEM goes with the old motherboard.
Assuming you keep that OS install with that motherboard, it will not need a new install. However....you should. There is a LOT of your info remaining in that install and Registry.
It needs a clean install....and with the same 'system' (motherboard), a reinstall is no issue.

So basically, you are giving them your PC, and building a new PC for you.
This new PC needs its own OS.

For your games? With Steam games, copy the steamapps folder to elsewhere. This you can reuse.
All you other applications will need to be reinstalled on your new PC.
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RedBadRooster

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Dec 1, 2013
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It's an OEM Licensed Windows 10 OS. So, I'm guessing it's tied to the motherboard. If I can't re use that old hard drive onto a new PC without formatting, is it possible to just install that motherboard, cpu, and same hard drive onto my parents new PC without deleting anything?

After, can i move all my steam games, and a few pictures/ applications onto my new hard drive?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
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Mar 16, 2013
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A Win 10 OEM license install is tied to that original motherboard.
You will no have 2 PC's, yours and your parents. You need another OS. That Windows 10 OEM goes with the old motherboard.
Assuming you keep that OS install with that motherboard, it will not need a new install. However....you should. There is a LOT of your info remaining in that install and Registry.
It needs a clean install....and with the same 'system' (motherboard), a reinstall is no issue.

So basically, you are giving them your PC, and building a new PC for you.
This new PC needs its own OS.

For your games? With Steam games, copy the steamapps folder to elsewhere. This you can reuse.
All you other applications will need to be reinstalled on your new PC.
 
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Solution
R

RedBadRooster

Honorable
Dec 1, 2013
34
0
10,530


Yup, I already have another Windows 8.1 Key here. I was only worried that I will have to redownload and install all my games again.

So now, I'll probably just move my RAM, Motherboard, Processor, and Hard Drive to my parents pc. Last question, will a Windows Refresh reinstall windows without deleting all those files?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

Titan
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Mar 16, 2013
171,445
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184,590


No, you are doing a whole new OS install on your new PC.
 
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