New motherboard, same OS drive

[Thunder 57]

So it seems it's been a long time since I have upgraded my motherboard and wanted to keep the same OS install on it. So long, that I am curious as to how well it works these days. I know it used to be a big no-no because of chipset drivers and whatnot, but apparently now it is feasible. I am not opposed to doing a fresh install, but if I could not have to do that with minimal downsides I would be interested.

It doesn't help that I would be going from Intel to AMD. Does one simply remove drivers? Use sysprep? I have searched online but all of the info I found was at least 1-2 years old. FWIW, I am running Windows 10. Ordinarily I wouldn't care since I usually would have an old ass installation. This one, however, is fresh; only about a year old. If it matters, my plan is to move to Zen+ from this Ivy Bridge/Z75 platform.

I welcome any advice or opinions.

 

[UsandThem]

You can just swap out the components, and Windows 10 will likely figure everything out, and install the new needed drivers and whatnot. Windows 10 is pretty impressive in that regard.

But since you are going from an Intel system to an AMD one, if I were facing that choice, I would do a clean install (or at least a reset within Windows 10).

You can always just let Windows 10 do its thing, and then use if for a few weeks to see if you experience any odd behavior or crashes. If things aren't working well, you could always go the clean install route at that point. Just make sure to make a Windows boot USB (you can do this at Microsoft's site) if you have any boot issues after doing the switch

 

[RLGL]

Best practice is a fresh install, backup everything prior to starting.

 

[Thunder 57]

You can just swap out the components, and Windows 10 will likely figure everything out, and install the new needed drivers and whatnot. Windows 10 is pretty impressive in that regard.

But since you are going from an Intel system to an AMD one, if I were facing that choice, I would do a clean install (or at least a reset within Windows 10).

You can always just let Windows 10 do its thing, and then use if for a few weeks to see if you experience any odd behavior or crashes. If things aren't working well, you could always go the clean install route at that point. Just make sure to make a Windows boot USB (you can do this at Microsoft's site) if you have any boot issues after doing the switch

That's good to know, and I may try that just as a learning experience. I'm starting to think I'll just make a VM out of this install and start fresh. That's what I did a year ago using Macrium / Hyper-V. If you think there is a better solution out there please let me know.

Best practice is a fresh install, backup everything prior to starting.

I know, I know, and I probably will go that route. I was just trying to avoid having to do it

 

[Drassx]

In my experience in most cases you just put in the new hardware and it will work but I have ran into systems with windows 10 for whatever reason the install doesn't want to boot off the other platform/new hardware. Sadly most of the time of kinda one of those things you have to try but there's a decent chance it'll work. Maybe someone with more knowledge about changing platforms/the inner workings of if windows can give some more input on things you could do that may help.

 

[Oyeve]

I've done 3 motherboard replacements with the same windows 10 install and all has worked fine. Last one was about a month ago and all I had to do was reactivate windows 10.

 

[Tech Guru]

It is advised to take a backup and then format the OS. why to take risk for a few hours job. You don't want to experience lags and abrupt break while working do you?

It would not harm you to take a backup and then reinstall the OS after you replace the motherboard. Windows 10 will automatically take the required drivers. So no need to worry there.

 

[kjboughton]

Replace MB. Boot. windows will re-configure dynamically. Don’t format. That’s just dumb.

 

[SkyDiver]

My son is replacing an old Intel rig with an AMD Ryzen on Win7. Trying to do it while keeping his Win7 installed. It mostly worked except for a few drivers. Anyone have advice on those? I haven't built a new system in 3 or 4 years.
Another issue is that he has to use a PS2 port for the keyboard or mouse (only 1 PS2 port) until he gets the USB drivers updated.

 

[RLGL]

See post #8, I do not know AMD products. It is possible the new system MAY NOT support Win 7

 

[Thunder 57]

In case anyone was wondering, I figured I'd try to do this without a reinstall. I wanted to see for myself what would happen and how difficult it may have been. I uninstalled any Intel drivers, replaced the hardware, and booted it up. Other than it forcing me to enter the BIOS because of the new CPU, and realizing I failed to connect my keyboard (oops), I let it boot.

It basically spent a couple minutes saying something like setting up devices and boom, right in it went. All I had to do was reconnect my wifi. MS also forced me to reenter a password to an outlook.com email I forgot I even had. That was about it. Entirely too easy.

Obviously I still needed to install the new drivers, but that's much easier than redoing a whole OS. Must say I'm enjoying the 2600X so far. Thanks guys!

 

[Sgt. York]

Windows 10 is awesome! Congratulations!

 

[bbhaag]

In case anyone was wondering, I figured I'd try to do this without a reinstall. I wanted to see for myself what would happen and how difficult it may have been. I uninstalled any Intel drivers, replaced the hardware, and booted it up. Other than it forcing me to enter the BIOS because of the new CPU, and realizing I failed to connect my keyboard (oops), I let it boot.

It basically spent a couple minutes saying something like setting up devices and boom, right in it went. All I had to do was reconnect my wifi. MS also forced me to reenter a password to an outlook.com email I forgot I even had. That was about it. Entirely too easy.

Obviously I still needed to install the new drivers, but that's much easier than redoing a whole OS. Must say I'm enjoying the 2600X so far. Thanks guys!

Glad to hear it worked out for you. I did something very similar with Windows 8.1. I had an HDD in my AMD system that I decided to swap into my sons Intel system that we had just built. I had the same experience as you. Win8.1 picked up on the hardware changes and installed the appropriate drivers for the Intel system without issue.

BTW this is not a Windows 10 thing. It all started with Windows 8/8.1. Windows 8 laid the foundation but because of all the negative press it received Microsoft decided to switch up the UI and call it Windows 10. Underneath it all though is Windows 8.

 

[ElFenix]

i've been doing this

Glad to hear it worked out for you. I did something very similar with Windows 8.1. I had an HDD in my AMD system that I decided to swap into my sons Intel system that we had just built. I had the same experience as you. Win8.1 picked up on the hardware changes and installed the appropriate drivers for the Intel system without issue.

BTW this is not a Windows 10 thing. It all started with Windows 8/8.1. Windows 8 laid the foundation but because of all the negative press it received Microsoft decided to switch up the UI and call it Windows 10. Underneath it all though is Windows 8.

i've been doing motherboard swaps since win2k, and did multiple AMD -> Intel/Intel -> AMD swaps with XP. reinstalling windows is some sort of nerd self-flagellation and has been for the better part of 2 decades.

glad OP is helping debunk this largely unnecessary ordeal.

 

[DONINAUSTIN]

I have replaced hard drives CPUs, Mbs and never had to reinstall Windows because of having done so. Too many times to count. Sometimes I have had to go online and buy a discounted $12 Win 10 key to re-activate.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I have replaced hard drives CPUs, Mbs and never had to reinstall Windows because of having done so. Too many times to count. Sometimes I have had to go online and buy a discounted $12 Win 10 key to re-activate.

If it is one of my own, I log in with my MS account beforehand. I have had the same copy of 10 on at least 3 different systems now, no issues. Troubleshooter- I recently changed hardware, all good. I cannot remember what the limit is for doing this, but I'll burn that bridge when I get to it. Probably convert another 7 pro to 10 soon in anticipation.

And I have changed between Intel, Nvidia, and AMD combos on the same install. Again, have yet to have an issue. I do nuke the GPU drivers before shutting down for the hardware swap. Have a system on over a year up time I did that with.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Somone please explain how this works.

I will be building a new system soon and retiring the old system. Can I just add the old systems hard drive to the new system and everything will update appropriately (god willing) and Microsoft won’t give me crap about every part being new except the hard drive?
Sounds too good to be true.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Somone please explain how this works.

I will be building a new system soon and retiring the old system. Can I just add the old systems hard drive to the new system and everything will update appropriately (god willing) and Microsoft won’t give me crap about every part being new except the hard drive?
Sounds too good to be true.

I have done it multiple times. That said, you need to log in with a Microsoft account before the swap, then use the activation troubleshooter afterward, and choose I recently changed hardware. Also as stated, I nuke the GPU drivers before the swap, when not using the same card again.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I have done it multiple times. That said, you need to log in with a Microsoft account before the swap, then use the activation troubleshooter afterward, and choose I recently changed hardware. Also as stated, I nuke the GPU drivers before the swap, when not using the same card again.

90% likely I’ll be using he sam card
What do I do when I log into the Microsoft account before the swap?

Thanks for the assistance

 

[DAPUNISHER]

90% likely I’ll be using he sam card
What do I do when I log into the Microsoft account before the swap?

Thanks for the assistance

Nothing really, it is simply a matter of tying that copy of win 10 to your MS account. Then you log in after the hardware swap and use the activation troubleshooter.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Nothing really, it is simply a matter of tying that copy of win 10 to your MS account. Then you log in after the hardware swap and use the activation troubleshooter.

Excellent, thank you.

Even though it’s allowed I feel even more entitled because my original build used a window Vista retail full license copy that I bought from Compusa’s final day before closing forever. Original OS was not OEM and allowed it to be transferred.
I totally get I signed a new agreement with my $20 windows 8 upgrade and yet another agreement with my free windows 10 upgrade.

 

[DONINAUSTIN]

If something goes wrong with activation, you can buy an OEM system builder key for less than $20. Never had a problem.

 

[mv2devnull]

Nothing really, it is simply a matter of tying that copy of win 10 to your MS account.

What if one would not have such account?

 

[Fanatical Meat]

What if one would not have such account?

Create one

 

[isekii]

Does it matter how it's installed ?
UEFI vs Legacy ?