Can you replace a motherboard without reinstalling windows

Generally, a Retail or Volume license will get automatically activated when connecting to the Internet. But an OEM key is locked to the original hardware, and cannot be transferred to new motherboard. In this case, you may need to purchase a new key.

Otherwise, it is retail or volume. If you bought your license from Microsoft, it is a retail key. Volume keys are purchased by large companies or organizations. One way is to perform a universal restore while the latter two ways are related to Registry Editor.

Among theses ways, the first one is the easiest way. Universal Restore is a feature of backup software AOMEI Backupper that allows you to restore Windows system to another computer with dissimilar hardware. It guaratees that your computer can successfully boot without changing any settings. You just need to create a backup of the original system and restore it after replacing CUP and motherboard.

It works like Windows bare metal recovery. Click System Backup under Backup tab. It will automatically select needed items as the backup source. Select the destination path for your backup and click Start Backup. The process of activating Windows will basically be the same as if you have a retail license, which, in this case, you now own one.

If you have a product key instead of a digital license, you can use that to activate Windows even if you upgrade hardware. The short answer is, it depends on whether or not the new CPU is compatible with your old motherboard. But there is one caveat: not every processor from the same manufacturer will have the same sockets. So you definitely need to pay attention to that while you are searching for a new CPU for your old motherboard.

Once you have it, you can look it up online to see what kind of sockets you have and everything else. If all else fails, though, you can always take it to your local computer repair store, where someone with professional knowledge will help you out.

They will also be able to help you narrow down the kind of CPU that may be compatible with your old motherboard. That is by covering your bases first and having your own Windows 10 license, especially if the old motherboard is an OEM version. The same can be said if you plan on replacing the motherboard on a computer you may have bought from the store. You can also purchase licenses as a physical card where you can punch in the product key or digital code at retail electronic stores where Windows products are sold.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Spread the love. However, when the time comes for you to upgrade those computer parts, some concerns might arise.

Let's talk about CPU and motherboard upgrading and answer the main question above. Then, restore that certain data once you changed the motherboard. While clarifying the reason by experts, the msahci key will be changing after replacement by the StorAHCI in those Window systems.

Prepare yourself first hand by making an entire system image backup already. So, that registry modification will not take a sinister turn expected due to improper commands. Hence, you will be able to reactivate Windows even after the replacement. Below are the steps by following which you can build this link quickly. Exactly on the right panel, double click on the start and edit the given value into 0. The Key is given below.

However, Windows 7 might be activated itself without causing any tantrums. Anyone who wants to move the hard drive to a new PC without the Windows reinstalling process can perform with this method. Best Motherboards for Ryzen 5 X. No problem if you forget to edit the registry before replacing the motherboard and now facing failure to boot. Here, the method which we are going to discuss will help you to overcome this issue. In this way, get ready disc installation to start your PC with the help of it.

After this, you can edit the registry offline. Keep your eyes on the following guide:. If any user still cannot boot Windows 10, then the possible problem is choosing the wrong boot mode.

This license has already been integrated into the hardware you buy to link with the motherboard. Volume license comes in a significant volume means in bulk which is usually purchased by large organizations.

Organizations such as universities, businesses, or governments take this license to activate various installations with only a single key. In contrast, if the key is OEM, you have to start it by smartphone. Because this key is locked into the original hardware, it takes only a few minutes to proceed, so have a tea and relax. It figures out which license key has been integrated into your device, right-click on This PC or My Computer in Windows. You will see certain functions among them choose Properties.

How did you get win7 drivers for nvme and usb3 for the new mobo? Also disable the Secure Boot. Have you tried to boot in safe mode? Also have you tried to boot with the old graphic card, to remove its drivers and then to put the new card? Jul October 2, pm. And don't forget to call re-validate your Microsoft Windows licence. By internet. If it does not work, call them and explain the hardware changed. Your instructions saved our computer after a mobo change.

Dennis in Michigan. Jul October 1, pm. Brilliant tutorial. Works like a charm. Reehal Singh September 12, pm. You just saved me hours of reinstallation, thankyou so much. I used scenario 2 and it worked perfectly. Wouter Gous June 29, pm. This method does not work for Win 10 as those two options mxahci and priide does not exist in the registry.

Any further advice? Tangelo February 8, am. TGabor June 7, pm. Thank you the tip! Me and my daughter used different PC-s. I use a Dell Optiplex , my daughter Lenovo 57e. We use Windows 7 Prof. After saving and deleting from the HDD-s I changed the two disks after making your tips the registry changes. I have to install everything on the Lenovo?

Excuse for the poor English. Tiziano June 5, pm. I am not sure if it is active yet but It would be life saver if you help with my scenario. My Dell laptop's motherboard got fried just after 1 year and 2 days after warranty expiry so I had to buy a new motherboard which I luckily found in New condition. Your response will be really appreciated. Leonardo April 24, pm. Bob March 15, pm.

I did all that is stated above, but when i start my pc from cold start says no hard drive is present or in the bios. Then the next morning same issue. Any idea, Thanks. I checked the cable itself looks fine, checked setting in bios they are set to IDE. Since i am using the older ide cable to connect it to the board. Was wondering if it could be registry key i changed to 0 should i set them back to 1 now since the windows has installed the motherboard drivers.

Also as i stated when i start it from being shut off , bios doesnt see the hard drive on the first boot , but when i hit ctrl alt delete to restart , loads fine. Or can it be a faulty ide cable. It is definitely a cable or a hard disk problem. Jay February 22, am. Juppie February 7, pm. I have a single HDD with 2 partitions OS and storage and was in an infinite bootloop after the upgrade. Why is this not in top results in google?! Sheldon December 20, am. Please help me if watch a you tube video changed start up to 0 and something els that was on 3 to 0 now my harddrive is not showing on new pc or old motherboard its just gone but can hear it runing.

Then boot from a Windows installation media and follow the instructions in this article to modify the registry as mentioned.