reinstall free upgraded window 10 to new cpu and motherboard

[ysthian]

I heard window 10 is tied to pc hardware..is there gonna be any problems with the activation?

[Delicieuxz]

When you replace the Mobo, the system is recognized as a different one in Microsoft's database, so online activation won't work if doing a clean install of Windows 10, and your Windows 10 OS won't be recognized as "genuine" by Microsoft if just plugging in your old HDD / SSD. You'll have to first install Windows 7 or 8.1, then do the free upgrade to Windows 10, which is no problem. Then if you want to do a clean installation of Windows 10, after your "new system" is activated as having received the free Windows 10 upgrade with Microsoft's servers, you can format and install Windows 10 straight from an ISO.

 

Alternatively, you can do what is listed here:

 

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/64770-How-to-upgrade-from-W7-8-1-without-to-go-through-the-upgrade-process-itself-with-ease

[awesomes8wc3]

^ but if you call up MS and say you swapped boards they might be able to activate it again for you.