Moving OS drive to new system

[NoxiousOdor]

Hello, I am planning to change motherboards and before I do I want to double check to see if there is anything I should do to windows before moving it over. I don't mind doing a fresh install if I need to though it would be nice not to have to. I want to be sure that everything is ready to go because this is the only computer I have and once I start rebuilding it I won't be able to get help as easily. I will probably install the new mobo tomorrow

[Kyle_N]

As long as you have Windows 8, 8.1 or 10, you're good. Starting with Win8, MS designed it to easily swap between multiple hardware configurations, with all essential drivers included and the ability to detect and fix any issues during boot.

Win7 doesn't handle hardware changes nearly as well, but it might work. 

 

if you're on Win10 (especially if you do NOT have a product key specific to Win10), you'll want to sign in with a MS Account BEFORE switching motherboard. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation, and make sure it says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account". 

This makes it easier for Windows to detect your new hardware and transfer your license. If you don't do it though, MS support will usually get you set up, but it might take a bit longer. In my case it took maybe 20min and they needed to see proof-of-purchase for my new motherboard. Keep any receipts, motherboard box and manual, just in case you need it. 

[NoxiousOdor]

2 minutes ago, DOGC_Kyle said:

As long as you have Windows 8, 8.1 or 10, you're good. Starting with Win8, MS designed it to easily swap between multiple hardware configurations, with all essential drivers included and the ability to detect and fix any issues during boot.

Win7 doesn't handle hardware changes nearly as well, but it might work. 

 

if you're on Win10 (especially if you do NOT have a product key specific to Win10), you'll want to sign in with a MS Account BEFORE switching motherboard. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation, and make sure it says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account". 

This makes it easier for Windows to detect your new hardware and transfer your license. If you don't do it though, MS support will usually get you set up, but it might take a bit longer. In my case it took maybe 20min and they needed to see proof-of-purchase for my new motherboard. Keep any receipts, motherboard box and manual, just in case you need it. 

I have win 10 pro but I might look into deactivating my key then and then reactivating it. I have tried this mobo before but the system got stuck in the windows start screen. It froze and couldn't move forward. If the OS is trying to detect the hardware that might be why it is getting stuck. I am using a old very unusual motherboard.

[ProjectBox153]

It should work, but it’s always better to do a clean installation. 

[NoxiousOdor]

22 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

It should work, but it’s always better to do a clean installation. 

Do I have to deactivate my product key or do I not worry about it and just enter it when prompted and it will be fine?

[Kyle_N]

47 minutes ago, WhisperingKnickers said:

I have win 10 pro but I might look into deactivating my key then and then reactivating it

Windows 10 doesn't use keys, it uses digital licenses. When you activate Windows with a key, it actually sends it to the server, and exchanges it for a digital license. It then activates itself with that license, not the key (it will switch itself to a generic key at some point). 

 

Quote

I am using a old very unusual motherboard.

If you are moving to an older motherboard you will almost certainly need to reformat your drive. 

 

Windows 10 uses GPT by default, which is only supported on UEFI systems (most motherboards from 2012-present). Older hardware needs MBR (legacy, non-UEFI). 

If you upgraded to Win10 or were using an older board before though, probably still MBR so it should boot. 

[NoxiousOdor]

2 minutes ago, DOGC_Kyle said:

Windows 10 doesn't use keys, it uses digital licenses. When you activate Windows with a key, it actually sends it to the server, and exchanges it for a digital license. It then activates itself with that license, not the key (it will switch itself to a generic key at some point). 

 

If you are moving to an older motherboard you will almost certainly need to reformat your drive. 

 

Windows 10 uses GPT by default, which is only supported on UEFI systems (most motherboards from 2012-present). Older hardware needs MBR (legacy, non-UEFI). 

If you upgraded to Win10 or were using an older board before though, probably still MBR so it should boot. 

That is really interesting I didn't realize that with the uefi and mbr. I will look into that more thank you