When is a PC a 'new' PC and do I HAVE to format a drive while installing new windows?

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wookee7

Mar 28, 2018
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Hey, 2 questions:

1) When I want to upgrade my PC, what hardware component makes a PC a 'new' PC so that you have to get a new OS? Is it the motherboard? So, if I buy a new motherboard, a new windows installation is necessary?

2) I have 2 drives, a HDD and a SSD. If I install a new windows via bootable USB stick, do I have to format one of my drives to install it or is it optional to format one and install windows?
 
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Wolfshadw
Both questions depend on which operating system you're using.

For Windows 10, if you assign the license to a Microsoft Account before making any hardware changes, you will not need a new Windows license.* For previous versions of Windows, it depends on the license; either Retail or OEM. If it was retail, then you can reuse it on new hardware. If it was OEM, then you will need a new Windows license.

As for your hard drives, again it depends on which operating system. For Windows 10, there is an option to keep your current programs (though I'm not sure how well that works) and you should not need to format a drive. Personally, I'd perform the format anyway, just to clear out anything that I no longer use or was left behind after an...
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Aug 3, 2006
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Both questions depend on which operating system you're using.

For Windows 10, if you assign the license to a Microsoft Account before making any hardware changes, you will not need a new Windows license.* For previous versions of Windows, it depends on the license; either Retail or OEM. If it was retail, then you can reuse it on new hardware. If it was OEM, then you will need a new Windows license.

As for your hard drives, again it depends on which operating system. For Windows 10, there is an option to keep your current programs (though I'm not sure how well that works) and you should not need to format a drive. Personally, I'd perform the format anyway, just to clear out anything that I no longer use or was left behind after an uninstall.

For previous versions of Windows, a clean install after a format is prudent.

-Wolf sends

* - If your computer came with Windows 10 pre-installed (as in a store bought computer/laptop) then the license cannot be transferred.
 
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