M.2 with windows

[PizzaWeeb]

Hi, i downloaded windows on my M.2 ssd. I need to change out my motherboard to upgrade my cpu, and i wonder... do i have to download windows again or is it still fine with the same m.2 ssd?

[Mira Yurizaki]

If you used an OEM license, per EULA it's tied to the motherboard you activated Windows on. Supposedly it doesn't matter if you tie the key to your Microsoft account. You will also have to update the motherboard drivers, but Windows is normally fine and at worst, you won't be able to use some peripherals.

 

Of course, people might recommend you just reinstall, but that's only viable if you have another storage drive to dump your data to.

[PizzaWeeb]

1 minute ago, M.Yurizaki said:

If you used an OEM license, per EULA it's tied to the motherboard you activated Windows on. Supposedly it doesn't matter if you tie the key to your Microsoft account. You will also have to update the motherboard drivers, but Windows is normally fine and at worst, you won't be able to use some peripherals.

 

Of course, people might recommend you just reinstall, but that's only viable if you have another storage drive to dump your data to.

Okay thanks

[Kalm_Traveler]

2 hours ago, M.Yurizaki said:

If you used an OEM license, per EULA it's tied to the motherboard you activated Windows on. Supposedly it doesn't matter if you tie the key to your Microsoft account. You will also have to update the motherboard drivers, but Windows is normally fine and at worst, you won't be able to use some peripherals.

 

Of course, people might recommend you just reinstall, but that's only viable if you have another storage drive to dump your data to.

I used an OEM key from one of those key resellers - swapped from a Z370 to Z390 board and 8086k to 9900k CPU. Windows barked about reactivating, but I just put the same key in and it activated again properly.