Swapping over motherboards Will my Windows 10 deactivate ?!?

justwondering · 22 Jul 2016 at 13:34

Help Please !! Okay , I have 2 pc's both have the free updates to windows 10.......but I need to swap over some hardware between the 2 , each version of windows will end up the others motherboard.

I know it sounds a bit odd , but one is my gaming system and one is my work PC , but need to swap some parts around for a better configuration for gaming etc.....both systems had the same manufactures motherboard in it but it was a different model with better components for overclocking etc.

SOOO my big question is will both my windows 10 updates become deactivated because of the change of both motherboards ? both systems are currently running fine , I have done a update on one of the windows 10 systems and It did not ask if I had changed hardware etc......OR will that come at a later date , Bit concerned as it is close to the 29th of July .

Both systems are dual booting 7 and 10 , would I be just as well to update the windows 7 to windows 10 again with the update disc , it is a bit of a pain , but I don't want to end up spending on a windows 10 licence for a simple change around of some hardware !!

linktoinsanity · 22 Jul 2016 at 14:07

Which version of Windows 7 was it? Retail or OEM?

Link.

justwondering · 22 Jul 2016 at 15:57

linktoinsanity said:
Which version of Windows 7 was it? Retail or OEM?

Retail upgrade windows 7 , but I had to go through the Microsoft automated call system a while back , as I had changed some hardware when running just windows 7 , that all passed , but I checked with a keyfinder and the key had been updated to a new one from Microsoft due to have to call the automated helpline......not sure if that makes any difference though

Link.

demonix · 22 Jul 2016 at 17:58

If the hard drives are moving with the motherboards then there might not be any issues since there wouldn't have been enough of a change to void the license, but if you aren't moving the hard drives then you'll have to find a way to create an image of each hard drive so you can transfer it to the other hard drive.

justwondering · 22 Jul 2016 at 18:30

demonix said:
If the hard drives are moving with the motherboards then there might not be any issues since there wouldn't have been enough of a change to void the license, but if you aren't moving the hard drives then you'll have to find a way to create an image of each hard drive so you can transfer it to the other hard drive.

Sadly the hard drives had to go the other way round , I read on another forum , that I posted this same help request to , that because both motherboards where both windows 10 upgrades , then it should not be a issue .

I have both systems up and running and I have also , checked and installed updates on windows 10 , the system still says activated ....

I also asked , how often does windows check the activation , they said it should check each time you boot up.......

So I have my fingers crossed , in real terms , I had two windows 10 licences , all I have done is swap over the motherboards , harddrives and cpus in each system , so that My main gaming PC has all the best parts for over clocking etc ......But I fully appreciate Microsoft have there own ideas !

Quddy · 25 Jul 2016 at 07:13

Microsoft seem quite flexible and lenient recently. You're not doing anything illegal so you should be fine. Worst case, you have to phone and get it activated.

There is some confusion regarding the W10 free upgrade though. Some articles say the free upgrade portion doesn't go from Retail->Retail but goes from Retail->OEM whilst your original W8/7 remains retail. Best to try get the upgrade done before 29th July!

I recently replaced my self-built desktop PC (dodgy W7 Retail license -> paid for W8 upgrade -> free W10 upgrade) with a Macbook. I used Boot Camp to fresh install W10 Pro and activated using my original W8 key from the desktop PC and it worked automatically, no phone call required!