New build, Windows required?

[Relentless81]

Hi,

I'm pricing up as much as I can for a Ryzen build and need to know if I'll need to buy another copy of Windows.

I currently use W10 which was obtained from the free upgrade of W8.1 last year.

Can I install W10 from USB on a new build and use the same license key or do I need to install W8.1 and upgrade or do I need to buy a whole new W10 license?

Thanks

 

[ED209]

It depends on what version of windows 8.1 you had, if its OEM you cannot move it to a new system if its retail you can remove it from the old PC and install it on the new one.

OEM is tied t the mobo its first installed on

 

[Relentless81]

Thanks, thats what I thought but I thought they might have changed it and so did a bit of googling and found this -

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

I think since the anniversary update it doesnt matter what version you had as long as you link it to your MS account you can reactivate it afterwards, I think