Re-installing OS for a new motherboard?

[crimsxn]

Hello, so I've been planning on swapping out my motherboard for a new one. I've looked around and it has come to my attention that i would need to reinstall my Operating System. But it wasn't mine and i no longer have contact with the friend that let me use it. my question is, do I need the Disk that i used to install it? or any sort of key? and if so, are there any alternatives to get it cheaper? (my os is windows 10 and i used to have windows 7 before i upgraded)

 

[Laptop_Nerd]

Hi,

If you're planning of replacing the motherboard with the same one chances are you may get away by not reformatting your PC. Some drivers may require re-installation since it may contain different Chipset. But worst case is you'll need to format it, you can just create a bootable USB with Windows 10.

Here's the link for the tutorial.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ph/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install

 

[USAFRet]

Hello, so I've been planning on swapping out my motherboard for a new one. I've looked around and it has come to my attention that i would need to reinstall my Operating System. But it wasn't mine and i no longer have contact with the friend that let me use it. my question is, do I need the Disk that i used to install it? or any sort of key? and if so, are there any alternatives to get it cheaper? (my os is windows 10 and i used to have windows 7 before i upgraded)

For a hardware change like that, a full reinstall is highly recommended, usually required.
With whole different hardware (new motherboard), currently, you may need to reinstall the original Win 7, and then Upgrade to Win 10 again. You will need the license key for this. Which you don't have.

In the near future, you may be able to install Win 10, and then activate that with your Win 7 license key. Which you don't have.