How To Change Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows 10

Nobody wants to get the computer settings changed, especially when it comes to adding another component to it.  Besides, installing all those essential software, driver’s apps, tools and whatnot isn’t an easy task. However, it happens. And if you know how to tackle that you can readily save your time and effort for sure.

Keeping your Windows as active with the new installment of motherboard as it was before is totally a blessing. Today’s topic of discussion is how to change the motherboard without reinstalling Windows 10 at all. If you are up to replacing or upgrading the older mobo but reinstalling Windows isn’t your cup of tea for whatever reading, keep reading this guide.

Also Read : Signs of a Failing Motherboard

Check Out the Windows 10 License

The basic thing you need to consider before upgrading to the new motherboard to the computer is to check the Microsoft license policy. If you know how it works and what its approach is you will be able to understand a lot more regarding the window installing. Windows 10 has been developed under three major license types namely OEM, Retail and Volume.

1. OEM License

Original Equipment Manufacturer license is preinstalled on the hardware when you buy it and the motherboard is already linked with it in the device.

2. Retail License

Retail Microsoft is the license type that the users purchase online. It can be sent to multiple PCs. This license is what you will get when you purchase a window from the store, or retailer (probably that’s where the name came from). However, you can also get it online from Microsoft online store etc. it will transfer the product key to the new computer, but for that do make sure to deactivate the previous device, for obvious reasons.

3. Volume License

As the name says this Volume license by Microsoft features a larger-scale approach for professionals. Hence business, organization, working alliance, got sector and more uses this.it has single license key for diverse installation.

Inspecting the Windows License Type

It is very important to know what license you have in order to replace the motherboard without reinstalling the Window. For checking the windows 10 license follow these steps:

• Go to the start menu and type in the command prompt. A black box should pop open.
• After the command prompt has opened input the command “slmgr –dli”.
• After that a window will appear by the name ‘Windows Script Host’. There you can see the windows 10 license type followed by the comprehensive description and you can know what type of license your windows features.

How To Replace a Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows 10

For retail license you have the privilege to channel the current window 10 to the motherboard you want to upgrade with. It’s easy!

Before replacing the motherboard, keep the hard drive or solid-state drive with you to revert windows 10 without reinstalling. And when you are done with the motherboard replacement, you reconnect with the windows 10. The window will auto configure the mobo and using the computer without getting the new windows becomes possible.

However, coming across an issue and facing a problem is not something that is guaranteed. And if you want to make certain of the fact that you don’t need to reinstall the Windows 10 you should link or pair the Windows license with the motherboard account prior to actually replacing it.

1. Linking windows 10 with Motherboard With Account

For making the account, press the Windows key + I and go to the Updates & Security and then Activation settings. There you will see the ‘’Add a Microsoft account’’ option, select add an account. There, you need to sign up into the Microsoft account. After that when you will complete the sign-in procedure, the window will link your windows 10 license with Microsoft account.

This is a pretty much simple, quick and wise way to install a motherboard without reinstalling Windows 10.

When you link your Microsoft account you can also sign back in windows 10 when you have upgraded with the new motherboard on the PC. This is the best way to keep windows 10 active, however, it’s only for a Retail license, and you cannot transfer the windows otherwise.

2. MiniTool ShadowMaker for Universal Restore

This is the best available tool that backs up windows 10, 7 and 8 and OS. It makes sure to back up files and data without loss.  You can also restore the windows without much effort.

3. AOMEI Backupper

Another worthy approach to taking help in motherboard replacement and keeping windows activated is the AOMEI Backupper. This is reliable software that is free for Windows 10. The best part of this software is that it shows compatibility with almost all the Windows including OS, Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, windows 10 with both 32 bit and 64 bit version. Isn’t that helpful!

AOMEI Backupper readily lets its user count on its performance by offering the universal restore option. You get the windows restored to another computer no matter what the hardware is. Its boot up approach makes sure you have successful motherboard replacement without setting changes.

Upgrading mobo Without Windows Installation Failures

Installing and dealing with hardware portability can also affect the smooth software working in computers, at times. This is not always the case, but sometimes when you have a working malfunction, defective CPU or motherboard the problem arises and that result is completely opposite.

Better to be prepared for both ways, and have backups. This issue can be for Windows 10, 8, 7 or OS equally. Certainly, if your hardware is not working properly, making an account, linking Microsoft etc. would not be as worthy as you have thought it to be.

Taking help from Troubleshooter

Nothing goes perfect and it is quite possible to take help when you are changing the motherboard with the new one, without planning to reinstall Windows 10. That’s where the trouble shooting comes to rescue.

Thankfully, Windows 10 features the license troubleshooter that is supposed to detect the recently attached or installed hardware.

• So if you have done replacing your previous other board with the new one and have successfully turned on the PC, head towards pressing Windows key + I and go to Updates & Security > Activation. Here you may find the option says ‘Windows is not activated’ message. If you are getting this message go to the footer of the page and select Troubleshoot!
• After you have clicked on the troubleshoot option, select the option that says ‘’I changed hardware on this device recently’’.
• After performing this step, sign into your Microsoft account that you have created before motherboard replacement. (At the start of this article) This will help identify your device (motherboard) that you are using now.
• This process will hardly take a few minutes, and after that you will get your windows 10 activated without the reinstallation process.

Error that is Unknown

Running everything smooth on PC is the best way to keep hardware lifespan efficient. However, there would be hardly any users who haven’t received the errors and trouble from windows especially when dealing with the hardware components. You feel lucky when there isn’t any error after you have finished with the installation of the motherboard or any other major change in the PC.

Besides, if you do receive the error troubleshooting is the first way many users get help. But if you get any other error, such as trouble running of window 10 after motherboard replacement, and you know the cause is not about license activation, the problem  may lie in the setting up process that is causing a driver dispute. Although that is a minimal chance with Windows 10, yet the possibility is still there. If that happens what you need to do is to take help from

• Booting by recovery drive
• Taking tools help for diagnostics and troubleshooting
• Advance option for installation media with automatic repair
• Boot to safe mode is another option and disable drivers

Is changing the motherboard without reinstalling Windows 10 risk-free?

Although there isn’t any major risk or threat that you should be thoughtful of, if you want to keep things under control the process should be foolproof. Usually, if you have performed the steps correctly, have the best hardware that isn’t any defective and have the PC in working order there should not be any error.

But that is only an apparent thing. If you take advice from experts, they would always suggest you keep a plane that prevents mishaps. Therefore, if you have installed the clean copy of windows on your PC it would save you a great deal. Changing the motherboard isn’t always an easy breezy task therefore having the best strategy always proves to be  a lot helpful.

However, if you have done everything alright, still being prepared for the installation of window again is something that you should be prepared