Activating windows after major hardware change

[Iron couch]

So im planning to almost completely overhaul my PC by getting a new processor, mobo, DDR4 RAM, and a new case. Im just wondering if I can somehow legally get Win 10 to the new PC without paying over 100€ for a new license? Ive heard you can reactivate windows after a major upgrade but i dont know if this can be done with the free upgrade license i have. 

[Geoffrey]

Just move the hard drive over?

[Iron couch]

Just now, Geoffrey said:

Just move the hard drive over?

And everything will work as usual? Correct me if im wrong but i thought changing the motherboard will make the current windows license invalid?

[Respawnuo]

I think Microsoft said if you swap the CPU your Windows deactivates. Kinguin offers some cheap ($20 USD) Windows Keys

[Geoffrey]

Just now, Iron couch said:

And everything will work as usual? Correct me if im wrong but i thought changing the motherboard will make the current windows license invalid?

Nope, last month i changed from:

3570k to 6600k

DDR3 to DDR4

P77 series to z170

and I just stuck my ssd in there works just fine

[Omon_Ra]

3 minutes ago, Iron couch said:

And everything will work as usual? Correct me if im wrong but i thought changing the motherboard will make the current windows license invalid?

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. It's kinda weird. I had to RMA my mobo and when I got the new one Windows gave me a new hardware 'warning' thing. I don't remember exactly what I did, but it wasn't hard to get it to re-register itself as valid. I know you used to have to call a number sometimes, and if it doesn't work out so easily for you that may be the best way to go.

[Iron couch]

3 minutes ago, Respawnuo said:

I think Microsoft said if you swap the CPU your Windows deactivates. Kinguin offers some cheap ($20 USD) Windows Keys

 

2 minutes ago, Geoffrey said:

Nope, last month i changed from:

3570k to 6600k

DDR3 to DDR4

P77 series to z170

and I just stuck my ssd in there works just fine

 

1 minute ago, Omon_Ra said:

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. It's kinda weird. I had to RMA my mobo and when I got the new one Windows gave me a new hardware 'warning' thing. I don't remember exactly what I did, but it wasn't hard to get it to re-register itself as valid. I know you used to have to call a number sometimes, and if it doesn't work out so easily for you that may be the best way to go.

Interesting...well i guess i could try my luck and if things go wrong ill just buy a really cheap key and go with it

[Techicolors]

i used this when i had issues moving from amd to intel

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/106642-how-to-keep-your-current-windows-install-with-a-new-motherboard/

 

not sure if it's updated to work for W10 though 

[Zyndo]

29 minutes ago, Iron couch said:

So im planning to almost completely overhaul my PC by getting a new processor, mobo, DDR4 RAM, and a new case. Im just wondering if I can somehow legally get Win 10 to the new PC without paying over 100€ for a new license? Ive heard you can reactivate windows after a major upgrade but i dont know if this can be done with the free upgrade license i have. 

in a recent Windows 10 update, you're now allowed to link your windows key to your microsoft account. you should be able to validate your own windows key simply by logging into the computer with your microsoft account.

[DrM]

22 minutes ago, Iron couch said:

 

 

Interesting...well i guess i could try my luck and if things go wrong ill just buy a really cheap key and go with it

you can tie your key to a microsoft account, even if its oem

[DXMember]

Is your license OEM or Retail?

 

You can manually force windows re-activation with these simple steps:

1) Win+R

2) slui 4

3) Follow onscreen instrucions

[JakeNTech]

OK. When I changed my CPU i had no issues with activation. When I took my ssd to another PC, to try and fix the other PC, I got a message saying windows activation failed, when I put it back activation was happy. long story short you will need to purchase a new key. If you look on eBay you can get a key and installer for about £17.