Yes, you can apply the same Windows install on a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM.
Yes, you can apply the same Windows install on a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM.
Hello everyone, I’m moving from Z390 to a Z790 motherboard and updating my CPU and RAM. My SSD already has Windows 11 installed. Should I reinstall Windows completely or can I just choose the current SSD through the boot manager? Any advice or suggestions would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!
Relies on the licensing agreement. Typical Windows activation codes usually require one code per motherboard. You might need a replacement key. Regarding the system itself, you should be okay—boot should work, though unexpected issues can occur. I recently upgraded my PC from a B450/R5 2600 to an X570/R7 5700 and encountered problems reading the boot drive, requiring a reinstall.
It's usually best to start fresh when moving to a new socket. While my systems have worked smoothly across various architectures—from Haswell to Ryzen and Skylake to Raptor Lake—I recommend a clean install if you encounter any problems. This way, you avoid complicated troubleshooting and ensure stability.
Thanks for the feedback. I attempted the same setup but faced instability with fans fluctuating rapidly. After reinstalling Windows, everything functioned smoothly without any problems. It seems changes can either resolve issues or cause them, depending on the situation.