Windows 10: I will be upgrading my computer for Christmas replacing the CPU, Motherboard, and RAM....

For Christmas I will be upgrading the Motherboard, CPU, and RAM. Will I need to purchase another license for Windows 11 after the upgrade because the system will be with new parts.

:)

 

Replacing Motherboard/CPU/RAM with OEM Windows

Hi, I am helping a friend with a Dell Optiplex computer which has Windows 8.1 OEM installed. It has been struck by lightning and I need to replace at least the motherboard.

Looking through forum threads here, it looks like if I replace the motherboard with one of the same model, the activation of Windows should be ok. What if I change to a different (compatible) CPU at the same time, would that still be ok? Does the RAM also need
to be of the same size? The hard drive and other devices would be the same.

 

replacing motherboard and cpu

If you really want to minimize the chance of not booting on the new hardware, go into device manager and uninstall the IDE/AHCI disk controller drivers (SATA), and the NVME drivers. If you have any Intel Rapid Storage Technology Drivers listed, uninstall those too. Do NOT restart the computer! Then set Windows to boot into Safe mode the next time, again do NOT restart the computer. Do a completely shutdown by holding down shift key while clicking on shutdown from the power button menu. Then move your SSD/HDD to the new computer and it should boot into safe mode. Now clear the check box for booting into safe mode and restart the computer and it should boot up and install the proper drive controller drivers - unless you need Intel Rapid Storage Technology Drivers and you would need to install those while booted into Safe mode.

 

a cpu and motherboard upgrade..

You say "just" but that really is a major upgrade. For licensing purposes, a new motherboard is considered a new computer. Do be careful, however, as a new motherboard often also requires new RAM. Check the motherboard's QVL (qualified vendors list) for compatible RAM on the board's website. There are too many for them to test them all so you don't have to buy listed RAM, but you should buy RAM with the same specs as listed RAM to ensure compatibility.

OEM licenses are not "legally" transferable to a new motherboard under any circumstances - with one exception. That is if the new board is a replacement during a repair process for a board that has failed. And then it MUST be an exact replacement, or the recommended replacement by the same manufacturer if the original board is no longer in production or available.

Technically, you often can get away with it. But that does not make it legal. And since these conditions are set in the EULA we agree to abide by when we decide to keep using the license on the original computer, that makes the terms legally binding - whether Microsoft decides to pursue it in court, or not.