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Solved Replace PC motherboard / CPU but use old Windows license?

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B

berntd

PCHF Member
May 7, 2022
12
1
Sydney
#1
Hello
I have a PC with blown Asus Z97 ATX motherboard. Smoke came out - dead. Rest of PC is usable

I would like to purchase a used motherboard for this but re-use the original Windows license from my damaged PC.

If install the "new" motherboard and boot form a windows recovery memory stick, will I be able to get my original license working?
Or should I try boot from the old harddrive directly?

I obtained this computer used some years ago and have no original media or hologram windows sticker.
I extracted the original license key of the old hard drive and now wonder if I can transfer it to a new motherboard/CPU system?

The original license details extracted look like this: ( blanked out the real keys with 'x')

Windows 10 Pro
Product Part No.: [TH]X19-9
Installed from 'Full Packaged Product' media.
Product ID: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx match to CD Key data
CD Key: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
Computer Name: XXXX
Registered Owner: Admin
Registered Organization


Best regards
And thank you for any info and help
B
 
#2
If the board is dead then it's worth trying anyway isn't it?


I've had luck sometimes and no luck others, Microsoft has 2 big licenses available to consumers - OEM, and Retail.

OEM are single use and should 'theoretically' deactivate with something like the motherboard changing (every hardware in a PC has an ID that is reported back to the board/Windows, large changes can flag misuse of a key). However, sometimes being linked to a Microsoft account will reuse the key- I wouldn't count on it but it does happen.

Retail are reusable and will transfer from PC to PC with no issues, they are more expensive and meant to be reinstalled to new computers as necessary by the end user.


If you have some specialty enterprise key or a bulk license I would put it in the same category as OEM, I wouldn't hold your breath but it's not impossible.



There's only one way to know for sure, good luck! :)
 
#3
You should be fine, but there is only one real way to find out.
Replace what is needed, re-use what you can.
Based on what hardware is replaced, Windows will determine if re-activation is required.
If it is, it'll do that automatically as soon as it detects the internet.
It that process fails, you can always ring the automated support line and a robot will guide you through the re-activation process - done that more times them I care to count!

To find the phone number for your country, right click Start, then Run and type in slui 4 and hit Enter.
Pick your country and you'll see the ID to type in on the phone, and it'll give back the unlock code for you to enter to activate Windows.
If that process fails, it'll prompt you to press 1 or something to talk to a human. You then tell the guy in Bangladesh the reason for activation and they'll guide you further.
All rather painless, but long winded!
 
#5
I extracted the original license key of the old hard drive and now wonder if I can transfer it to a new motherboard/CPU system?
Click to expand...

The Windows product key for the failed MB is stored on the Microsoft servers and as soon as it is detected that any replacement MB details and the present Windows product key do not belong together you will get an on screen warning that you are using an unlicensed OS and get locked out of Windows updates.

My canned explanation;

Just a cautionary note, unless your present product key is the full retail version you cannot use it with a new MB as an OEM product key is tied to the original MB it was paired with, to use an OEM key with a new MB is detected by the Microsoft servers as software piracy and therefore you get on screen warnings etc..

Exceptions to the above are 1: If your MB is replaced under warranty and 2: If your MB is replaced out of warranty with an alternative type but same brand due to the original model no longer being available, an upgraded MB however will require the purchase of a new OS licence.

If you have a full retail disk and a product key that is not in use on another computer the OEM restriction/s is/are not the same.
Click to expand...

Done this numerous times in the past and Microsoft have always been fine when notified first, I have never done the reverse and installed first and contacted Microsoft second.

Or should I try boot from the old harddrive directly?
Click to expand...

The only way that this would work is if the replacement MB was 100% identical to the failed board, if for example you fitted a Gigabyte MB on boot Windows would try and load the drivers for the failed ASUS board and the system would blue or black screen on you.
 
#8
Ok, thank you admin.

(@admin: This forum does not send me notifications about replies on anything, despite all notifications being enabled in my profile settings.

I have attached a screenshot for you.


@all helpers:
That is good news that I can re-use the Windows license. I will try this. Thank you all for the help.

I now have the dilemma of replacing the motherboard but I will start a new thread for this.

This thread thread can now be concluded as resolved.


Best regards
Bernt
PC rep[air settings screenshot.jpg
 
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