Major Hardware upgrade without re-installing W10?

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

As per the title, is there any chance of me swapping out my current Haswell rig with a new Skylake-X one without having to re-install Windows 10?

Before you say it, yes I know a fresh install is preferable with most, but it takes me forever and a day to install and configure all my specialist Art software packages with all the various brushes etc that the thought of doing it again makes me want to throw up lol!

I would be more inclined to put my upgrade of till next year if I cant do this - so what are you thoughts?

 

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

Rr

Perhaps Macrium Reflect can help

http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/plugins/servlet/mobile#content/view/7734519

502 bad gateway.

Has anybody managed it though? I did a google on the topic and found quite a few people who claimed to have done it with minimal fuss.. One noted that it took around 15 minutes to boot the first time, whilst chipset drivers installed, and it's run perfect ever since as if nothing had changed.

 

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

Might be worth going into device manager and uninstalling all the chipset drivers etc for your current mobo and then do the swap, that would stop a bit of confusion in windows when you put the new mobo in, not tried it myself but just a thought.

Sounds like a good idea actually!

I also read somewhere that Windows 10 is generally more forgiving with major hardware swaps compared to the days of Windows 7 or even 8...

 

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

I can't see why it won't work but as I said before it's something I haven't tried myself.

Oh well, I'll let you know how it pans out if I bite the bullet in June

 

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

The only issue you'll have is if the license is from an upgrade or an OEM, you'll have to go through some hoops to get it reactivated if that is possible since moving upgrade/OEM activations is normally only for when major hardware components fail.

Now that is of concern, as I had a free upgrade - maybe if I contact MS and ask them about it ahead of my upgrade..

 

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

Was the original license an OEM or a retail key as it should take the status of the original key (unless microsoft are being a pain in the you know what and are considering upgrades locked to the hardware they were used on).

Regardless, you might be able to get it reactivated within windows 10 since it allows for that and I doubt that they'll ask about why the changes had to happen (which is why I said normally).

I honestly cant remember if it was OEM or retail...

I just found this, looks like they have a tool for this now!

http://www.windowscentral.com/how-re-activate-windows-10-after-hardware-change

 

[X-Mikuru_Beam-X]

your hardware change would be a new PC to Microsoft and as its never been activated the chances are slim it will activate permanently on an OEM license from teh old machine, worst case scenario is it works for a trial period and you have to buy another key, not so bad really

I'm not so sure, as long as my Microsoft account is linked to my windows 10 license which it is, the built-in reactivity on tool should work fine surley?

Does it really matter if it was originally a win 8 oem key or retail?

As long as you link your Microsoft account to your windows account, you should be able to re-activate it no issue.

Here hopeing!

I went from Sandybridge on an old P67 board to Haswell-E on X99 without a problem. Re-activated using the built in tool after upgrade.

Just turned off, swapped all the hardware and switched on. No messing around with drivers.

Good to hear! Was your original key oem or retail do you know?