Question Regarding Windows/SSD.

BeadyRoller · 3 Apr 2017 at 20:26

Hi, so I'm thinking about upgrading my current PC with a new CPU which will result in me having to buy a new motherboard as the new CPU will be a 1151 socket. I have read a few things regarding Windows 10 and how it is tied to the Motherboard you activate it with? I have Windows 10 installed on my SSD drive and will be keeping hold of that obviously for my new build.

Will the SSD with Windows 10 on still work with my new PC? Or will i have to re install it/buy a new activation code?

By the way I got Windows 10 by upgrading from Windows 7.

I'm a little bit confused about what steps I have to take as I don't want to buy Windows 10 with my new upgrade when I didn't need to, any help would be appreciated.

Cheers.

Plec · 3 Apr 2017 at 20:41

Yes, you will have to re-install for the new motherboard - and yes the key is tied to the motherboard.

But, there is a chance , as you have the retail version of Windows 7, that you may be able to reactivate your windows 10 with a call to MS - preferably in the evening when the calls are routed overseas. Be courteous throughout, talk with confidence that you expect the key to be swapped and keep your fingers crossed.

BeadyRoller · 3 Apr 2017 at 20:48

Plec said:
Yes, you will have to re-install for the new motherboard - and yes the key is tied to the motherboard.

But, there is a chance , as you have the retail version of Windows 7, that you may be able to reactivate your windows 10 with a call to MS - preferably in the evening when the calls are routed overseas. Be courteous throughout, talk with confidence that you expect the key to be swapped and keep your fingers crossed.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/amp.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

Does this work? Seems a lot simpler than having to ring them?

Plec · 3 Apr 2017 at 20:54

If it works yes (not tried that method for 10) - but sometimes you'll find yourself in a chat box -but maybe worth a try first. Let me know how you get on if you choose this route...

I always find face to face (voice to voice) conversations more successful if i'm in doubt about the ambiguous nature of OEM/licenced software... Plus, my success rate is very high - even on past window versions that weren't eligible for being moved onto other systems. But it can be luck of the draw as to who you get to speak to/wear down

Plec · 3 Apr 2017 at 21:09

Additional: I suspect mentioning (white lie) that you unintentionally upgraded to Windows 10 from your retail version of windows 7 (which you could have swapped to any machine) - as you were pestered daily to upgrade via their notices - may go a long way to persuading them to exchange it to another machine.

Usually, I'm not fan of twisting the truth with software - but MS were so aggressive with their push of Windows 10 that they probably expect themselves to have to swap licences to other machines this next year. They've done it so far with my machines and I expect it with my next upgrade - hopefully.

Broken Hope · 4 Apr 2017 at 13:39

BeadyRoller said:
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/amp.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

Does this work? Seems a lot simpler than having to ring them?

Worked fine for me last week when I switched to a completely different system.

Plec · 4 Apr 2017 at 13:48

Broken Hope said:
Worked fine for me last week when I switched to a completely different system.

Did you upgrade from a retail version of Windows 7/8 to Windows 10? (Before you migrated 10 to another machine)

If so I'll be trying this method from now on - but stick to phones for OEM persuasion...

Broken Hope · 4 Apr 2017 at 15:27

Plec said:
Did you upgrade from a retail version of Windows 7/8 to Windows 10? (Before you migrated 10 to another machine)

If so I'll be trying this method from now on - but stick to phones for OEM persuasion...

If your licence is linked to your Microsoft account it should work regardless of the licence.

Plec · 4 Apr 2017 at 16:37

Broken Hope said:
If your licence is linked to your Microsoft account it should work regardless of the licence.

Thinking about it all my moves have been OEM licences or builders licences, for windows 10, for friends and family.

I'll certainly give it a whirl as it will save me a lot of time (not that I've done it that often). It will certainly make my future build less of hassle as that's definitely tied to my MS account as was retail Windows 7 - my first bought and paid for Windows in over 20 odd years of building my own machines - until family and friends cottoned on :/ (those were the days when schools/companies you worked for had mass licences and palmed out their surplus. At least I still get Office 365 for free...)