Windows for test bench

[ShadowCaptain]

Ok so I was thinking of setting up a test bench or test PC so I can review hardware like CPUs, GPUs, and Motherboards

 

 

However I was wondering what i do regarding Windows - obviously if I am exchanging hardware all the time then I will lose the windows registration

Any ideas?

[Bit8xPr0]

Well I mean you could suck it up and pay like $30 for a key or whatever from re sellers online or you know you can do obvious things that I'm not going to say. Though I'm sure someone else will provide a better answer for you, I mean you'd be out like $60 for the newest of each, AMD, Intel or whatever.

[Bazilias]

Ok so I was thinking of setting up a test bench or test PC so I can review hardware like CPUs, GPUs, and Motherboards

 

 

However I was wondering what i do regarding Windows - obviously if I am exchanging hardware all the time then I will lose the windows registration

Any ideas?

Most of the people I know use Windows 8.1 I myself also use Windows 8.1 for test benches.

[ShadowCaptain]

Well I mean you could suck it up and pay like $30 for a key or whatever from re sellers online or you know you can do obvious things that I'm not going to say. Though I'm sure someone else will provide a better answer for you, I mean you'd be out like $60 for the newest of each, AMD, Intel or whatever.

 

So you are saying every time I get new hardware (or at least a new board etc) I need to buy a new OS?

 

I 100% refuse to pirate anything, as this is for legitimate reviews for companies etc

 

Most of the people I know use Windows 8.1 I myself also use Windows 8.1 for test benches.

 

It doesnt really matter what I use, would prefer to show performance on the latest OS though if possible

 

It was more the issue, of the key expiring when I install new hardware etc

[Bit8xPr0]

~snip~

Well as far as Windows licensing or whatever goes, a new board counts as a new computer, however there are some tutorials or whatever that may work, they basically like strip the Windows of all the drivers or whatever the license is attached to, I'll see if I can find it.

Here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/200827/how_to_upgrade_your_motherboard_the_easy_way.html

 

Edit: this is from the forums http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/106642-how-to-keep-your-current-windows-install-with-a-new-motherboard/

[Speedbird]

Ok so I was thinking of setting up a test bench or test PC so I can review hardware like CPUs, GPUs, and Motherboards

 

 

However I was wondering what i do regarding Windows - obviously if I am exchanging hardware all the time then I will lose the windows registration

Any ideas?

If the motherboard remains the same, you'll be fine.

[ShadowCaptain]

If the motherboard remains the same, you'll be fine.

 

It won't, as I may get different boards to review

[VAkena]

Ok so I was thinking of setting up a test bench or test PC so I can review hardware like CPUs, GPUs, and Motherboards

 

Do you have a YouTube channel or any other means of showing your reviews? I'd personally be interested in having a look.

[ShadowCaptain]

Do you have a YouTube channel or any other means of showing your reviews? I'd personally be interested in having a look.

 

Yeah link on my profile so I don't break CoC

[Grrizz]

If you buy a retail version you can change hardware you just have to reactivate it each time you change the mobo (as easy as calling MS), OEM is tied to one piece of hardware only.

[Dredgy]

Activate once. When you change your motherboard ring up microsoft and reactivate.

 

Or just don't bother activating at all. If I recall correctly Linus always used to have a "this copy of windows is not genuine" on his testbenches since the mobo was always being switched.

[Speedbird]

It won't, as I may get different boards to review

Buy a retail key and run slmgr /upk before changing motherboards. Then reinstall the OS and reactivate.

[ShadowCaptain]

If you buy a retail version you can change hardware you just have to reactivate it each time you change the mobo (as easy as calling MS), OEM is tied to one piece of hardware only.

 

Is there a limit to the number of times? they might not let me do that constantly

 

Buy a retail key and run slmgr /upk before changing motherboards. Then reinstall the OS and reactivate.

 

What does that do? remove activation?

[Speedbird]

Activate once. When you change your motherboard ring up microsoft and reactivate.

 

Or just don't bother activating at all. If I recall correctly Linus always used to have a "this copy of windows is not genuine" on his testbenches since the mobo was always being switched.

Not activating is an option as well, since Windows 10 doesn't really enforce it.

[PlamenDrop]

If you buy a retail version you can change hardware you just have to reactivate it each time you change the mobo (as easy as calling MS), OEM is tied to one piece of hardware only.

 

I also believe that this is the case. Buy retail and you should be able to use that Windows key to activate the OS each time.

[Speedbird]

Is there a limit to the number of times? they might not let me do that constantly

 

 

What does that do? remove activation?

No limit, and yes.

[EthanTheFrogMan]

So you are saying every time I get new hardware (or at least a new board etc) I need to buy a new OS?

 

I 100% refuse to pirate anything, as this is for legitimate reviews for companies etc

 

 

It doesnt really matter what I use, would prefer to show performance on the latest OS though if possible

 

It was more the issue, of the key expiring when I install new hardware etc

as long as the OS you got is not an OEM key, which is tied to the parts, you should not need to get a new os, what does linus do after all?

[kameshss]

You can always uninstall the key when changing motherboard and use that key for any other systems.

 

There is no limit.

 

And it's legal way too!

[ShadowCaptain]

No limit, and yes.

 

Ah I see, so basically I install and activate as normal, run the deactivation, then I just reinstall as normal every time?

 

 

Or I can try install and just not activate

[kameshss]

Ah I see, so basically I install and activate as normal, run the deactivation, then I just reinstall as normal every time?

 

 

Or I can try install and just not activate

The first one.

[ShadowCaptain]

The first one.

 

yeah thats what I thought, but if people are saying W10 doenst really check, or maybe I can just use the 30 day grace period, then that could be an option too

 

 

If I was making money off YouTube id happily just buy whatever I needed, but I already need to buy a  test bench / PC case, PSU etc, and maybe other bits an bobs, so trying to look after my expenditure

 

I think having a nice test bench will really benefit me

[kameshss]

Also I've used an OEM key to activate on another computer just by uninstalling the product key from that laptop.

 

It worked fine.

[kameshss]

yeah thats what I thought, but if people are saying W10 doenst really check, or maybe I can just use the 30 day grace period, then that could be an option too

 

 

If I was making money off YouTube id happily just buy whatever I needed, but I already need to buy a  test bench / PC case, PSU etc, and maybe other bits an bobs, so trying to look after my expenditure

 

I think having a nice test bench will really benefit me

There is no grace period on Windows 10. You can use it indefinitely. It's legal too. It will be considered as pirated if you use any activator.

 

You can't just use some personalization.

[ShadowCaptain]

There is no grace period on Windows 10. You can use it indefinitely. It's legal too. It will be considered as pirated if you use any activator.

 

You can't just use some personalization.

 

http://www.windowscentral.com/you-do-not-need-activate-windows-10

 

Oh shit you are right! this makes a massive difference

[kameshss]

http://www.windowscentral.com/you-do-not-need-activate-windows-10

 

Oh shit you are right! this makes a massive difference

Yep!