Motherboard upgrade windows problems

[Guest Zakb2809]

 I currently own a Prebuilt Lenovo pc and I am looking to upgrade the motherboard (to allow for further upgrades in future). I know that if I do this i will have to get a new copy of windows and make a usb boot drive. I am also looking to  re-use my current hard drive which has the OEM copy of windows installed on it. When I need to install the new copy of windows after I have changed the motherboard how to I go about doing this. Is it as simple as plugging in the USB drive with Windows on or not?

 

Any answers and feedback are appreciated.

[Verrierr]

You don't need to do a fresh install. Simply type in the windows key when it asks you to.

[Guest Zakb2809]

Just now, Verrierr said:

You don't need to do a fresh install. Simply type in the windows key when it asks you to.

Would I run into issues with drivers though?

[Verrierr]

That's unlikely, but possible I guess. Still fixing drivers seems like less of a headache than installing new system from scratch. Unless you have other reasons to want a fresh installation.

[paddy-stone]

If it works as above has said, then what you could do after entering your product key is do a refresh of windows, which will remove everything including drivers... then just install stuff as usual including drivers as you would've from a re-install.

[Guest Zakb2809]

Just now, Verrierr said:

That's unlikely, but possible I guess. Still fixing drivers seems like less of a headache than installing new system from scratch. Unless you have other reasons to want a fresh installation.

So I should start the system up as usual with the new Motherboard installed then Windows should prompt me for a license key.

[Verrierr]

Just now, Zakb2809 said:

So I should start the system up as usual with the new Motherboard installed then Windows should prompt me for a license key.

Yup, that's right.

[Guest Zakb2809]

1 minute ago, paddy-stone said:

If it works as above has said, then what you could do after entering your product key is do a refresh of windows, which will remove everything including drivers... then just install stuff as usual including drivers as you would've from a re-install.

Would it still be technically a Lenovo PC though? ( When I enter the about section in settings the manufacturer is listed as Lenovo)

[Verrierr]

1 minute ago, Zakb2809 said:

Would it still be technically a Lenovo PC though? ( When I enter the about section in settings the manufacturer is listed as Lenovo)

And why do you care about that? No it won't.

[paddy-stone]

1 minute ago, Zakb2809 said:

Would it still be technically a Lenovo PC though? ( When I enter the about section in settings the manufacturer is listed as Lenovo)

No, it wouldn't... I seriously doubt the validity of that working at all to be honest. I was just saying how to go about reinstall if the guy's method worked. I truly think that your best bet would eb to download windows 10 ISO from MS and see if your code works... then if it doesn't buy a key will be cheapest option and you will already have the ISO to make the USB drive to install from. Just make sure to have the windows ISO downloaded and make a bootable USB before doing anything like changing the mobo just in case. Unless you have a friend that could download the ISO and make the USb for you if you run into problems.