Is there any way to not have to reinstall windows on a compllete system upgrade?

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
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Ok I am building a almost completely new system soon & I don't want to have to reinstall windows. Can I go to safe mode & delete all the hardware before I put the HDD in the new system? I love how Mac OS you can just reinstall the system part of the OS & it leaves the data/apps. alone.
 
As long as you change the driver for the hard disc controller back to the default Microsoft driver then 99% of the time you can completely change hardware and Windows will boot up fine, you'll just have to activate again.
 
It's mixed results with XP, but Vista and Windows 7 are a lot better at accepting drastic hardware changes. As said if it boots you're laughing and you just need to activate again. If you have an OEM copy you'll need a new Windows license if you're upgrading the motherboard. If it blue screens at the Windows loading splash screen check the IDE/AHCI setting on your motherboard is correct.

Not sure what you mean about OSX and just reinstalling the system part, as you aren't going to be upgrading a Mac motherboard and just reinstalling the system files is called a repair install on Windows boxes.
 
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