platform switch impacts operating system

[BottomLack]

Quick question: Does a switch from AM3+ to AM4 without exchanging my storage force me to reinstall windows? I remember that one LTT video about them pirating windows because they'd have to buy a new product key every time they make a fundamental change to their setup (e.g. exchanging the MoBo) for benchmarking purposes.

[5x5]

A reinstall from such an old system is basically mandatory if you want to avoid issues.

[Allshevski]

They don't pirate, they just don't bother to go through the deactivation and reactivation process every single time they change a motherboard. This is only related to the licensing process. What I guess you are asking though is if it's fine to just change the motherboard and leave the system as it was. Yes, it is absolutely fine, your windows install may become deactivated after motherboard change, but it will reactivate itself soon, as the install is tied to your Microsoft Account, or you might have to just retype the key. As to performance and drivers, this is a non-issue, the OS will handle the drivers by itself in almost all cases. If it doesn't boot though, then you might be forced to reinstall, or at least remove the old drivers manually.