Re-install 8.1 on new hardware and upgrade to 10?

[Borealis]

Hi all.

Apologies if this has been asked a billion times before!

I have an OEM DVD copy of 8.1, just like I have an OEM DVD version of 7.

I've just bought an X99 board/CPU/RAM combo and will be replacing my Z97 system. If I upgrade the system to 10 first, will I then be able to change the hardware or is 10 going to get locked to my motherboard?

Alternatively I can re-install 8.1 on the new hardware and then upgrade. I take it that 8.1 will behave like 7 and just let me re-install?

This isn't my primary system, so if it's down while I have to faff around, I don't mind!

 

[IT Troll]

OEM always locks to the hardware. So you need a fresh key for your new hardware. So if you have an unused key wait and use it with the new kit.

 

[Borealis]

Thought that would be the case. I don't have an unused key unfortunately...

Is this something that only applies to Win 8.1 and 10?

With Win 7 I've definitely re-used an OEM key before without issues, even when changing motherboard.

Edit: Just to clarify, it's not a pre-built 8.1 OEM key. I think it's a system builder DVD. If I end up paying for another licence, so be it.

 

[El_Watcher]

With Win 7 I've definitely re-used an OEM key before without issues, even when changing motherboard.

You may have reused it and it may have successfully activated, but it was not adhering to the terms of the licence and was not officially valid.

You will need a new licence.