Replacing the Motherboard

[tillerkiller]

So i just bought a new Motherboard from Asus ( Z170-A) and now im not certain if my Windows and my data will be still up and saved after i replaced the Motherboard.

I think there are two different ways of doing this. I think you can either uninstall all drivers or you can fresh intsall your windows. 

 

I would love to know which option is the best and how it will be done. The last question is : i bought an Windows 10 license and i dont want to rebuy windows 10 after the upgrade.

 

Hopefully someone can help here  Thanks 

 

(dont mind my english im from germany)

 

 

[Skiiwee29]

Honestly, the best way is to install fresh to avoid the chance of any issues. You should be able to re-use the windows 10 key if it was a windows 10 key initially. You may have to go through the automated phone system to get a key to enter in. 

[tillerkiller]

Is there an extra option in the BIOS for the fresh install ?

 

[dantayy]

Backup your data on your drive and do a fresh install, and reuse your windows 10 key.

 

Or, use the old drive, go into settings and select reset this pc, it will remove all drivers while leaving your personal files

[tillerkiller]

Thanks you. So if i first reset the PC i dont have to make backups and dont have to fresh install my windows ? Will my data get always lost while doing an fresh install ?

[Sir Asvald]

8 minutes ago, tillerkiller said:

Is there an extra option in the BIOS for the fresh install ?

 

You don't need the bios. Just use the CD/USB to install windows again.

[tillerkiller]

I bought Windows 10 online so i dont have a disk.

[tillerkiller]

I first installed Windows with a boot stick. I had the free Windows version on it. Then i bought Windows 10 online with the key.

[Sintezza]

It highly depends on what kind of windows key you boaght.

If you boagt an OEM key, then you technically cannot re-use your key after the motherboard swap.

And your windows activation will be de-activated.

This is because Windows activation system is tide to the system id, aka motherboard id no.

Sometimes you could get your oem key re-activated using the phone method, and tell the employee that your motherboard died.

However they basicly dont have to help you re-activating it.

Because its simply one of the limmitation of a OEM license.

 

If you boaght a retail license key, then there is no problem atall.

Retail keys are transferable to new computers, but only work on one system at a time.

So if you upgrade your motherboard, a retail key can be re-activated without any problem.

Thats why retail keys are more expensive then oem.

 

As far as re-installation of the system goes.

This basicly highly depends on what you upgrde from.

If you just upgrade the motherboard on the same platform and / or same manufacturer.

Then re-installing is most of the time not needed.

But if you upgrade from a diffrent platform eg AM3+ to Skylake, then re-install is highly recommended.

[tillerkiller]

First of all thank you for that complex anwser. I bought Windows 10 from the official microsoft webside. It bought it for around 90 Euro. it came with an license key which i still have. Is there a way to find out if i have an retail or OEM version ?

 

Im only replacing the Motherboard. Both of the Motherboards have the same sockel.

(So.1151)

So when i go to settings and just reset the PC to uninstall all drivers,  i dont have to worry about my Data and i dont have to make an fresh install right ?

[Sintezza]

14 minutes ago, tillerkiller said:

First of all thank you for that complex anwser. I bought Windows 10 from the official microsoft webside. It bought it for around 90 Euro. it came with an license key which i still have. Is there a way to find out if i have an retail or OEM version ?

 

Im only replacing the Motherboard. Both of the Motherboards have the same sockel.

(So.1151)

So when i go to settings and just reset the PC to uninstall all drivers,  i dont have to worry about my Data and i dont have to make an fresh install right ?

Well if you upgrade on the same platform, (socket), then uninstalling the drivers and software that are according to your current motherboard, and you should be good to go.

Atleast if your current board is from a diffrent fendor.

If your previous board is Asus aswell, then most of times you dont even have to re-install the drivers.

 

As far as license checking.

Wenn you go to system info you should be able to see your activation status, and if its oem or retail.