Will windows 7 work after hardware change?

[Kristijonas]

I had i3 2120, MSI H61 motherboard. Now I will have a8-3870k and gigabyte A75m motherboard. I bought the whole PC new, I've only left the hard drive. Will windows 7 64bit (with service pack and updates) work after this switch?

 

[Steltek]

The only way you'll know is to try. Win7 is much more tolerant of major hardware changes than prior versions of Windows were, though going from Intel to AMD is definitely YMMV. Possible outcomes are that it works with no problem (beyond maybe requiring a reactivation of Windows) to requiring a repair install to totally crashing and refusing to run or be repaired. The more special hardware you have which requires 3rd party drivers, the more likely it is to fail.

Before you try it, make sure to do a full backup first. That way, even if it totally flakes out on you and damages your Windows installation beyond repair, you can at least restore your prior system to working order if needed.

I always prefer to do a clean install, myself.

 

[SimMike2]

There is a little program you can run that is part of Windows 7 that resets all the hardware so it is all re-detected on the next boot. Can't remember what it is though. My experience is Windows 7 is the best Windows version in years when it comes to dealing with big hardware changes.

 

[Envian]

Safer bet would be to install new Windows. A clean Win install works faster-better anyway, than an old one.