Do I need to buy a new copy of windows when I upgrade to a new Motherboard and processor?

Elliot Savage

Commendable
Oct 16, 2016
10
0
1,510
Hello,

I'm upgrading motherboard and CPU and was wondering if I needed to buy a new copy of windows for the system to work? Or can I just swap out the motherboard and CPU and it be fine?

I'm not an expert but surely the OS is installed on the harddrive so it makes no difference? Or is it possible that I can just reinstall windows when the new CPU and motherboard are installed instead of buying a new OS?

I'm currently running windows 10 with AMD FX 4300 processor- looking to upgrade to an i5 with a new motherboard.

Thanks :)
 
Solution
If your windows 10 is associated with your MS account its simple.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and you’ll see a “Troubleshoot” option if activation failed. Click the option and sign in with the Microsoft account you associated your license. You’ll be able to tell Windows that you “changed hardware on this device recently” and select your PC from a list of devices associated with your Microsoft account. Microsoft’s documentation now explains exactly how this works.
If your windows 10 is associated with your MS account its simple.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and you’ll see a “Troubleshoot” option if activation failed. Click the option and sign in with the Microsoft account you associated your license. You’ll be able to tell Windows that you “changed hardware on this device recently” and select your PC from a list of devices associated with your Microsoft account. Microsoft’s documentation now explains exactly how this works.
 
Solution

As long as you've associated your windows 10 with your account. Unless its a free upgrade which could go either way. If its was a free upgrade then you may have to pay for the change.