Does Replacing a Motherboard Necessitate Having to Reinstall Windows from Scratch?

The motherboards that you used as replacements, did they ever have activated copies of Windows on them previously? If not, I'm not sure why you would not have had to activate.

The original motherboard for computer #1 was still OK. I bought the replacement motherboard for better compatibility with its upgraded CPU and GPU. The original motherboard had Windows 11 Pro activated. I had no problem activating Windows 11 Pro on the new motherboard.

The original motherboard for computer #2 stopped working. I replaced it with the original motherboard from computer #1. The original motherboard had both Windows 10 Pro and Windows 7 Home activated. I had no problem activating both of these on the new motherboard.

As a side note the replacement motherboard for computer #2, the ASUS Prime X370-Pro, proved a challenge. This computer is a dual-boot of Windows 10 Pro and Windows 7 Home. All the existing USB ports are USB 3.0. That meant when I booted Windows 7 neither the keyboard or mouse worked. Fortunately, the motherboard has a PS/2 port for a keyboard. I had to navigate with a PS/2 keyboard only. I could not use a mouse. After I installed the USB 3.0 driver I could use a USB keyboard and mouse again.

Well just to round this off this thread, the motherboard got replaced and the tech that did that had to flash some data into the BIOS to make it so that Windows saw the motherboard as being the same board as that which it replaced. In short, I didn't have to reinstall Windows.

That said the tech messed up on entering the motherboard Product Number (MTM) and, cutting a long story short I ended up fixing that myself. Techs don't always get it right.

If anyone is interest on the mess the tech left that can be read here: PC Name Stuck at Invalid – How to Fix?

Me I'm just glad I didn't have to reinstall Windows and reconfigure everything from scratch.

I did it recently going from an X570 to X870E, it worked well.
I ran a Repair install/in-place upgrade after to create a new hardware profile then deleted any disconnected device showing in Device manager (show hidden devices)

Not had any problems
I think AMD to Intel or Intel to AMD might be more of an issue

BrianInEngland said:

Not had any problems
I think AMD to Intel or Intel to AMD might be more of an issue

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Excellent point!

I've done that in the past with earlier versions of Windows, I recall having to call Microsoft to get the license properly transferred with a Win 7 machine. On a Windows 10 machine, I just used Acronis Universal Restore and then tweaked device manager for missing hardware. You probably also have to load the chipset drivers for the new MB in most cases.