F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Exchange the motherboard in your system.

Exchange the motherboard in your system.

Exchange the motherboard in your system.

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Ralkage
Junior Member
46
12-30-2021, 12:27 AM
#1
You're considering moving your system to a smaller form factor. A fresh Windows installation is usually recommended for such a swap, though some components can be swapped directly if they're compatible. Check compatibility with MSI or ASUS for the Z690 Mini ITX board.
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Ralkage
12-30-2021, 12:27 AM #1

You're considering moving your system to a smaller form factor. A fresh Windows installation is usually recommended for such a swap, though some components can be swapped directly if they're compatible. Check compatibility with MSI or ASUS for the Z690 Mini ITX board.

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pixcake
Member
99
12-30-2021, 01:31 AM
#2
It likely depends on your PC's licensing type. Are you using an OEM build or a fully purchased key? Do you have a home or Pro license? Is it version 10 or 11? Is it linked to your MS account? You should definitely get your product key if you want. However, the process might involve an automated phone transfer which can take about 15 minutes and may be a bit tedious, though manageable. From an admin CMDC perspective, the system will retrieve the original product key regardless. Overall, Microsoft is quite accommodating with OS licensing for personal use. Good luck!
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pixcake
12-30-2021, 01:31 AM #2

It likely depends on your PC's licensing type. Are you using an OEM build or a fully purchased key? Do you have a home or Pro license? Is it version 10 or 11? Is it linked to your MS account? You should definitely get your product key if you want. However, the process might involve an automated phone transfer which can take about 15 minutes and may be a bit tedious, though manageable. From an admin CMDC perspective, the system will retrieve the original product key regardless. Overall, Microsoft is quite accommodating with OS licensing for personal use. Good luck!

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Jyok
Member
144
01-04-2022, 10:15 AM
#3
You can simply replace the board. But first, remove all the motherboard drivers (such as audio, Ethernet/WiFi, chipset, SATA, etc.), swap it out, and install the ones that match the new board. You might need to adjust the Windows license key, as @OddOod suggested. Unless you want to reinstall Windows, this is mostly enough. You don’t have to reinstall Windows, but you could use it to clean up unnecessary files, registry entries, and leftover patches.
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Jyok
01-04-2022, 10:15 AM #3

You can simply replace the board. But first, remove all the motherboard drivers (such as audio, Ethernet/WiFi, chipset, SATA, etc.), swap it out, and install the ones that match the new board. You might need to adjust the Windows license key, as @OddOod suggested. Unless you want to reinstall Windows, this is mostly enough. You don’t have to reinstall Windows, but you could use it to clean up unnecessary files, registry entries, and leftover patches.

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brobear7
Posting Freak
892
01-09-2022, 12:24 AM
#4
I've handled this before. I often need to act quickly and don't use markdown. I should finish this in about six months. I have a Microsoft account key, plus Windows 7 OEM keys scattered around. Even after installing Windows 10 or 11, the Windows 7 keys still work.
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brobear7
01-09-2022, 12:24 AM #4

I've handled this before. I often need to act quickly and don't use markdown. I should finish this in about six months. I have a Microsoft account key, plus Windows 7 OEM keys scattered around. Even after installing Windows 10 or 11, the Windows 7 keys still work.

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Tico_32
Senior Member
680
01-10-2022, 11:00 AM
#5
This path is always something I enjoy. I follow a rule to refresh it every two years. I try to update it more often, about every four weeks, since I prefer instructions over actions. I’ve improved my setup process from three weeks to just three days.
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Tico_32
01-10-2022, 11:00 AM #5

This path is always something I enjoy. I follow a rule to refresh it every two years. I try to update it more often, about every four weeks, since I prefer instructions over actions. I’ve improved my setup process from three weeks to just three days.