Motherboard upgrade and Windows install

yannis76

yannis76

yannis76

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16 Aug 2004
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804
Hi,

I am running Windows 10 since the last 4-5 years and I am thinking of upgrading my PC from Intel to AMD Ryzen. However, I am really bored to proceed with a Windows clean install and all the software afterwards. Is there any way I could safely "migrate" my current Windows install to the new PC?

Thx
 
If you took advantage of the free windows 10 upgrade offer, then Microsoft will see the motherboard change as a new PC and so make the windows 10 licence invalid. You may be able to get it to activate, but something to bear in mind.
 
I used the free upgrade and later upgraded mobo, CPU, RAM. Windows activated online no problem. Have been doing this on the same Windows install since Windows Vista and never had an issue.

You should be just fine really.
 
nutcase said:
If you took advantage of the free windows 10 upgrade offer, then Microsoft will see the motherboard change as a new PC and so make the windows 10 licence invalid. You may be able to get it to activate, but something to bear in mind.
Click to expand...
He will be able to get it to activate, he just has to tie a Microsoft account to his Windows 10 license, then run activation troubleshooter once the hardware has been switched.
 
Although it should be fine, I'd proceed with caution. Prepare your files for a full reinstall.

I'm sure you already have a full system backup anyway, making my point moot..

Personally, I like having a nice new fresh install with new hardware, but I barely install much these days..

7zip is quick to install, paint.net too..
Steam is portable
winamp takes seconds
notepad2-mod takes seconds
chrome downloads my profile
 
bledd said:
Although it should be fine, I'd proceed with caution. Prepare your files for a full reinstall.

I'm sure you already have a full system backup anyway, making my point moot..

Personally, I like having a nice new fresh install with new hardware, but I barely install much these days..

7zip is quick to install, paint.net too..
Steam is portable
winamp takes seconds
notepad2-mod takes seconds
chrome downloads my profile
Click to expand...

Yes, but what about office, photoshop, lightroom and some non Steam games?
 
Since we seem to have solved the Windows install issue, here are three upgrade options where I would need your opinion:
1) Sell my m/b+3570K for around 200€ and get a used m/b+4930K for around 300€... Cost: 100€
2) Sell my m/b+3570K+16GB DDR3 for around 300€ and get a used m/b+5820K+16GB DDR4 for around 500€... Cost: 200€
3) Sell my m/b+3570K+16GB DDR3 for around 300€ and get a new m/b+Ryzen+16GB DDR4 for around 560€... Cost: 260€

From a value for money perspective which option would you pick? Main use is Lightroom, Photoshop, Web browsing and some games (Elite and Total War). I am also considering updating my graphics card instead paying about 200€ difference.

Thx
 
yannis76 said:
Hi,

I am running Windows 10 since the last 4-5 years and I am thinking of upgrading my PC from Intel to AMD Ryzen. However, I am really bored to proceed with a Windows clean install and all the software afterwards. Is there any way I could safely "migrate" my current Windows install to the new PC?

Thx
Click to expand...

I made this exact move not a month ago. Ensure you're using an "online" account. Make sure to de-activate your current install (it's a 1 liner in CMD prompt if memory serves correct). Re-install and then activate with your aforementioned online account. Worked flawlessly for me.

***This was on a retail Windows 8 copy that I upgraded to 10. 10 also activated off the 8 key.
 
Windows 10 is much more tolerant to major hardware changes than any previous version.
 
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