Windows Reinstall

[RhoXS]

Every year or so I do a clean install and every two or three years I do a major hardware upgrade. Between these events I do not much more than maintaining good computer hygene so I forget what I did a year or more ago. I am at the point of a hardware upgrade and since that will include a new mobo (ASUS TUF Z390M Pro) and new CPU (Intel I9-9900K) I will obviously also do a clean install. I forget what I did last year to assure no Windows reactivation problems. I think I just re-entered the product key and somehow MS knew to just reactivate Windows without any farther needs. I just want to know for sure what I need to do before I tear apart a machine I use every day to minimize the time to get it up and running again.

 

[JEDIYoda]

If you had stuck with windows 95 you would not be having these issues!!

 

[deustroop]

Changing the board on Windows 10 will necessitate reactivation. The windows 10 product key should work if its retail. Once you have installed the OS, go online and then look to see whether the system is activated. Here's a primer

https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change

Some advise to create a MS account and associate the system with it prior to installing .

Either way, be prepared to call support to ask for assistance.

And use the latest install files which are available here

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

Another thing is to have all the install files , programmes, ad ons , bookmarks, mail, etc. on hand prior to the install. Way quicker than searching for them after the install of the new OS.

And disconnect all drives during the install except for the target drive.

Anything else ?

 

[RhoXS]

deustroop, thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for.

 

[deustroop]

np