Will Switching CPU cause Windows licencing errors?

[Damian.Byrne]

Hey guys, just wondering. I've just bought a new CPU for my buddy (upgrading from Core i5 650 to Core i7 870). Will Windows freak out when I swap them? Will it demand re-registering or something like that? I'll be swapping RAM too.

[Naeaes]

It might need a reactivation. It depends on the type of lisence and stuff. If everything else fails, activation by phone will work. If it connects to a human, just say it's an upgrade. There's no way to tell beforehand.

 

It's the CPU that does it. I can't remember a single instance of problems with RAM upgrade. CPU + motherboard would almost definitely need reactivation on an OEM license at least.

[alexhelvetica]

Windows 10 apparently will kill it self,

but I believe it is probably a Myth.

[ZetZet]

no, cpu doesn't matter to 8.1 atleast. idk about 7 or 10.

[burnttoastnice]

no, cpu doesn't matter to 8.1 atleast. idk about 7 or 10.

 

Windows 7 doesn't care about anything, I moved one laptop hard drive into another and it still said genuine despite almost every single spec being different

[techguru]

cpu changing is fine I believe

[Damian.Byrne]

Okay thanks guys. I forgot to mention, my buddy is running Win 7, will NOT be moving to 10. It's a machine that was bought in store a few years ago, so OEM licence I think is what he has?

[Valkyrie Lenneth]

cpu changing is all fine aslong u dont have a oem(oem could require reactivation) and change from intel to amd or vice versa

[soup]

 If it connects to a human, just say it's an upgrade.

 

 

I wouldn't, tell them the old one broke and you are replacing .  The chances of getting a real live human are vanishingly small though.  You'll be fine.

 

AIUI the license is actually attached to the MoBo, changing that is what usually triggers a re-activation (or rather it is tied to the controller on the MoBo hence lots of people getting away with swapping boards and not having to reactivate as multiple boards use the same controller)