New Motherboard/CPU what to do with Windows?

lloydcars18 · 7 Oct 2020 at 15:44

Hey Folks so Basically looking into getting a new Ryzen 7 5000 chip when they release as well as an Aorus B550 Elite and i have bought another 960 EVO 500gb to go into the second m.2 slot.

So how do i go about using windows 10 that i have on my current main drive or should i make a fresh install of windows on my other drive?

Slinky69 · 7 Oct 2020 at 16:28

What I was told is that Windows 10 is a lot better than older versions at coping with the underlying hardware changing - Should pick it up and install new Chipset drivers, and be good to go.

However, it may be worth trying it, but be prepared to do a fresh install if it all goes wrong?

lloydcars18 · 7 Oct 2020 at 16:36

@Slinky69 yea that's what im worried about it all going wrong was thinking a fresh install with all new drivers etc on my empty drive then delete windows off my current drive then transfer over my Programs etc?

Slinky69 · 7 Oct 2020 at 16:44

Most programs can't be transferred as such, they would mostly need re-installing if you re-install Windows I suspect. Some exceptions like Steam games, but even they then need a process to get the new install to recognise the files.

So if you can get it to work, option A is easier. Option B might be "cleaner" though, possibly.

lloydcars18 · 7 Oct 2020 at 17:27

That would be a pain in the arse if you cant transfer such programs

what about my games would they need to be reinstalled as well?

Justintime · 10 Oct 2020 at 13:50

Just use the same drive with the current installation. You may have to reactivate windows etc..

~cw · 13 Oct 2020 at 23:51

When I did a board & CPU swap, it tripped the Win10 reactivation routine for significant hardware change. Online reactivation was simple enough, took a couple of minutes and there's always the phone option if you want to note down and type in a million character activation key

Various drivers for the board, chipset, controllers etc installed pretty much on their own, didn't clear up the old ones though so I took it upon myself to do some housekeeping. No harm though, machine is running with zero problems months down the line and a problem-free Win10 2004 update.

merlin6r · 15 Oct 2020 at 13:36

As long as you are logging into Windows 10 with your Microsoft account (Hotmail or Live mail) then the activation should be stored on your account.

Do a fresh install on the new machine and when you sign in it should activate Windows.

Games;
Copy the entire Steam folder to the new machine, for example D:\games\steam
Download the steam installer and install it to where the folder already is - D:\games\steam
Within minutes it will be installed and all your steam games will be ready to play.

Similar can be done with Origin, Uplay and Blizzard.

snips86x · 15 Oct 2020 at 13:57

I went from a 4790k setup to 3600. Same ssd and didn't reinstall windows. Just logged back into my account and activated without issue.

chaparral · 15 Oct 2020 at 18:06

merlin6r said:
Games;
Copy the entire Steam folder to the new machine, for example D:\games\steam
Download the steam installer and install it to where the folder already is - D:\games\steam
Within minutes it will be installed and all your steam games will be ready to play.

Think my steam takes an hour or more to do this if i remember right
This is with about 3TB worth of games