Do I need to reinstall windows after CPU/MOBO/RAM Upgrade?

jackisawsome13 · May 1, 2018

I'm upgrading from an AMD FX6300 to an I5 8600k... I'm removing my Old Asus M5a78L mobo and putting in my Asus Prime Z370-p With 8GB Ddr4.. Do I need to fresh install windows? or is there a way I can download the intel drivers and remove the AMD drivers before the upgrade? I'm hoping i dont have to fresh install... Thanks

USAFRet · May 1, 2018

jackisawsome13 :

With that level of parts change, a clean install is strongly recommended, usually required.

What OS is this? If Win 10, Read and do this before you change any parts:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html

That's just for the licensing/activation.

You'll still probably need to do a full reinstall.
But...try it. See if it works.

Prepare for it to fail completely, though.

jackisawsome13 · May 1, 2018

@USAFret Would I be able to just download windows 10 installer onto a USB, fresh install windows and just boot off that without entering a product key

USAFRet · May 1, 2018

jackisawsome13 :

Do you have Windows 10 currently installed?
Is it activated?

If so, see the links above to tie that OS license to a MS account instead of specific hardware.
Swap parts
Install the OS
It will fail to activate, because it is all new parts.
This is when you go through the Activation Troubleshooter, and tell it "I'm using this PC now."

The Paladin · May 1, 2018

when trying to log into your MS account windows will ask you if this is a hardware change, answer yes, and it will move the license over to this computer and remove it from your list of owned devices on your account (log with ms account into outlook.com click on your icon, look at my account)
worked just fine when I did my wifes upgrade from 4th gen to 8th gen system

note: this only works properly if you are the owner of a purchased windows copy, if you upgraded from win7/8 to win 10 and upgrading hardware now. you will in the end run into issues of error message (this copy is no longer registered)

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Do I need to reinstall windows after CPU/MOBO/RAM Upgrade?

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