Can I update motherboard & CPU and not get hassled by Microsoft

Birk · May 11, 2022

Mu current version of Windows is Windows 11/64 Ver. 21H2 Build 22000.65. I'd like to update my CPU and motherboard to new ones, but keep everything else the same.

If I do this will Microsoft hassle me about activation because my hardware profile (whatever that is) has changed? And if so, what do I do about that?

DigitalGoat · May 11, 2022

The answer depends on the information you haven't given us, such as where did you get your copy of Windows, which type of licence does it convey, whether or not you will be using an MS account, is your current system (and OS) listed in your devices etc.
Assuming a retail version of Windows, you can unlink it from your old PC (motherboard, CPU) before installing and activating on new hardware, there is also an option under activation for 'hardware changed' although the change can cause issues in some cases.
In most other cases a quick phone call to MS can often result in re activation, although depending on your copy of Windows and licence type you may have to purchase a new licence.
So the answer may not be as simple as you may assume.

Birk · May 11, 2022

My version of Windows is home 64 and has been updated from Windows 8 to Windows 10 and now Windows 11. It is fully activated. I have a valid Microsoft account but only use it when I am accessing One drive.

RFS · May 11, 2022

From a command line enter the following command -

slmgr /dli

Does the answer show RETAIL or OEM? If it's retail you can transfer the licence, but if OEM you will need a new licence as OEM licences are tied to their current motherboard.

Birk · May 11, 2022

That's a new one on me - thanks for the tip. It opened a little window that says

Windows(R) Operating system, RETAIL channel

So I guess I'm OK. It's been such a long time I really don't even remember how I got the original version of Windows. It might have been as long ago as Windows 7. Surprisingly Windows is still running OK, but I know one of these days I'm going to have to do a clean install. I'm not looking forward to that.

NavyLCDR · May 11, 2022

RFS said:
From a command line enter the following command -

slmgr /dli

Does the answer show RETAIL or OEM? If it's retail you can transfer the licence, but if OEM you will need a new licence as OEM licences are tied to their current motherboard.

or if it says OEM, just change the product key to the generic for that edition of Windows 10/11 and it will change to retail.

maarkr · Oct 15, 2022

not meaning to hijack, but I have the same upgrade idea this fall, so did you upgrade the mobo and need to change any UEFI settings? When I upgraded to Win 11 over a year ago, I had to mess with the TPM and Secure Boot settings, so I was curious if I'll have to go thru the multi-boots to get that set up again for Win 11 to run? or do the newer mobos (planning to get like an i9 and 570 mobo) have those features already set as default? and running the command shows mine as retail... I upgraded it starting from Win 7 (actually 3.1 but MS prob didn't track it back then)

johnlgalt · Oct 15, 2022

Newer processors and boards (even going back as far as 8th gen) should, at the very least, have Intel's PTT - see https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...tform-module.html#articleparagraph_1794275960

As for installing Windows 11, typically you would enable it before you start installing. This is the recommended procedure with a new system - verify all your settings in UEFI firmware are correct before installing a new OS.

Porthos · Oct 15, 2022

RFS said:
Does the answer show RETAIL or OEM? If it's retail you can transfer the licence, but if OEM you will need a new licence as OEM licences are tied to their current motherboard.

I know for a fact mine is OEM installed by Lenovo and I see the following. It does this on every system I have ever checked.
So it can not be taken for gospel.

bobkn · Oct 15, 2022

maarkr said:
not meaning to hijack, but I have the same upgrade idea this fall, so did you upgrade the mobo and need to change any UEFI settings? When I upgraded to Win 11 over a year ago, I had to mess with the TPM and Secure Boot settings, so I was curious if I'll have to go thru the multi-boots to get that set up again for Win 11 to run? or do the newer mobos (planning to get like an i9 and 570 mobo) have those features already set as default?

I'd expect a Windows 11 ready motherboard to have the necessary stuff (secure boot, firmware TPM) enabled in the BIOS right out of the box.

If you are using a Microsft account with a digital license, online activation will probably be automatic. If not, the Activation Troubleshooter ought to do it. Having to call Microsoft activation support is unlikely.

What's a "570" MB? They appear to exist (H570, Q570), as part of the LGA1200 series. (12th and 13th gen Intel CPUs require LGA1700 boards, 600 and 700 series motherboards). 570X is AMD AM4.

NavyLCDR · Oct 15, 2022

Porthos said:
I know for a fact mine is OEM installed by Lenovo and I see the following. It does this on every system I have ever checked.
So it can not be taken for gospel.

OEM v. Retail no longer matters to Microsoft. Change the product key to the matching Generic Product key for retail and your OEM license gets converted to a retail license. You can even change a retail license to an OEM license by changing the product key.

maarkr · Oct 15, 2022

sorry, dementia moment, Z590/Z690 LGA 1200 and up (500-600 series), but I may get a more powerful proc, so I guess I would need to upgrade to a higher series board

bobkn · Oct 15, 2022

maarkr said:
sorry, dementia moment, Z590/Z690 LGA 1200 and up (500-600 series), but I may get a more powerful proc, so I guess I would need to upgrade to a higher series board

The 500 series Intel boards are LGA1200. Through Gen 11.

The 600 and 700 series, LGA1700. Gens 12 and 13. (The 600 series boards need a BIOS update to support Gen 13. That could be an issue if you buy a 600 series MB, if the BIOS is old.)

glasskuter · Oct 16, 2022

Birk said:
but keep everything else the same

While preparing to change cpu and mobo, keep in mind there is a high probability you will also have to change ram and quite possibly your cooler.

Berton · Oct 16, 2022

glasskuter said:
While preparing to change cpu and mobo, keep in mind there is a high probability you will also have to change ram and quite possibly your cooler.

Good point about the RAM, starting to see on Crucial and others that DDR2 is pretty much gone and DDR3 may be spotty in finding. DDR4 is still available and DDR5 coming if not already in the supply channels.

maarkr · Oct 16, 2022

i noticed the lga 1200 and 1700 mobos, most use DDR4 which is nice so I can use my current 32Gb of RAM. Some 1700 boards can use both DDR4 or 5 and some only DDR5. Next issue to resolve is the proc... i9 series 12k uses performance and efficiency cores, but some have had issues with wIN 11? I will need a new CPU fan anyway. I want to futureproof the CPU/Mobo for 4 yrs, but I don't need overkill. My current i7 8700 runs my audio production and video apps well but they are 4 yrs old. No gaming.

SIW2 · Oct 16, 2022

Is there something wrong with your current system so that you need to change it?

maarkr · Oct 16, 2022

nope, just the fact that it's 4 years old which is ancient in computer terms, lol. I've kept up with my own builds every 3-4 years since the 80's, and the small amount of upgrade money is no issue. Maybe I should sit on my current system for a couple more years?

glasskuter · Oct 16, 2022

If your system is running well and is Windows 11 compliant (and it is) as well as fits your needs, then I can't understand why you would want to build a new one...unless your only reason is you just want to.

Scott · Oct 16, 2022

I'm doing the same thing, although I don't really need to. Got a good deal on a Asus Z590 and a Intel 10th gen during the recent Amazon early Prime days, or whatever they were calling it. The Z590 is up-gradable to 11th gen, will do that when prices come down. Just doing my part to stimulate the economy

Pretty sure I'm good-to-go for the upgrade.

Can I update motherboard & CPU and not get hassled by Microsoft

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Antidisestablishmentarianist

My Computers

Well-known member

Attachments

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

aka Mama Glass

My Computers

Ret. ATC

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

aka Mama Glass

My Computers

Well-known member

Attachments

My Computers

Similar threads