Any way to keep OS after major PC overhaul?

DanFauOrigami · Jul 20, 2016

Hi, I am planning on basically building a new PC, but using some of the components from my current build (trying to save some money). I plan on changing out the motherboard, ram, and CPU but using everything else from the other build (Graphics Card, Power Supply, etc..). What I am wondering is if there is any way possible that I can keep the OS I have on my Hard drive at the moment so I can spend that 100 dollars elsewhere instead of in a new OS.
If need be I will add my current build specs and the new ones. Thanks, Daniel.

Corwin65 · Jul 20, 2016

Short answer No.

That said, some have had luck contacting MS and having it authorized.

JamesSneed · Jul 20, 2016

If you have Windows 10 on it and have your old windows 7, 8 cd then it is possible. Did this recently from AMD to Intel build. Just yanked the SSD drive out of the AMD machine running Windows 10 and plugged it into the new Intel machine. When Windows 10 booted it wanted to reauthorize so I inserted the Windows 7 CD and it was happy. Note that Windows 7 cd was for this AMD machine and wast used for something else. Windows 10 did a wonderful job loading all the drivers as well which has been a major pain in the past with doing this type of thing.

USAFRet · Jul 20, 2016

No.
Solution? Sell the motherboard, CPU, RAM. Use that to fund a new OS for your new PC.

kanewolf · Jul 20, 2016

It depends on the version of the OS and how you got it. Most cases... not legally/ethically.

mjslakeridge · Jul 20, 2016

I remember calling Microsoft when I put a new motherboard and cpu in my computer a few years ago and they gave me a code. And, I was switching from Intel to AMD. A phone number popped up on the screen when I installed the old HDD with Windows on it.

Not sure this is still the case with Windows 10.

USAFRet · Jul 20, 2016

Calling MS and getting that particular license redone for new hardware is a possibility. Not 100% either way.
But the other consideration is the basic Operation. It really needs a full reinstall, no matter what the licensing issue is.

mjslakeridge · Jul 20, 2016

USAFRet :

You are right. Now that I think of it, I re-used the old HDD, but did a clean install of Windows from the Windows CD-Rom, then installed the drivers and such from the motherboard CD-Rom.

JamesSneed · Jul 21, 2016

USAFRet :

Not on Windows 10 but prior to that I agree. Optimally a clean install is best but if one doesn't want to do that and they have upgraded to Windows 10 on the existing PC you can pretty easily migrate the HD to new hardware.

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Any way to keep OS after major PC overhaul?

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