Migrate to a different motherboard without an OS re-install?

[Agrippa]

I'm not entirely happy with my current motherboard and since I'm running a SB-E based system I guess I have to get a new one fairly soon, before they disappear entirely. Back in the day an OS migration to a new motherboard was a totally lost cause, doomed to wreak havoc and provoke BSOD galore, but I wonder if it might be worth a try these days, given that Windows has become both stable and smart.

Anyone tried such a thing recently?

The motherboards in question are a Gigabyte X79S-UP5-WiFi, which I will most likely swap out in favour of an MSI Big Bang X-Power II. The Intel chipset drivers are obviously identical and I'm thinking that if I de-install all the auxiliary drivers which won't match the new board (sound, USB3, extra SATA and whatnot) before that swap it just might work out OK....maybe.

Whaddaya reckon?

[shaithis]

I've done a few mobo swaps with Windows 8/8.1 and all so far have gone smoothly.
Didn't bother doing any prep work unless the windows install was on a raid volume.

[Agrippa]

That's very, very good to hear! Every time I tried it in the past (all under XP or before) it ended in disaster, so I was loath to attempt it again, but now I feel better about giving it another go.

Thanks a lot for chiming in!

[Bagnaj97]

Recent Windows versions are much happier with mobo swaps, the only thing you may run into is having to re-activate Windows. I had to use phone activation as it told me my key was already in use, no big deal.

[directhex]

OEM windows is not licensed for this - if you have retail Windows it's fine, OEM is tied to your original motherboard.

And yes, you can probably get away with it. Doesn't mean it's permitted, though.

[MrNeil]

never had a problem re-using my OEMs

[Biscuit]

Its fine as long as your motherboard is 'broken'.

[scaryjim]

Its fine as long as your motherboard is 'broken'.

I'm not convinced that:

I'm not entirely happy with my current motherboard

counts as broken, and therefore the OP needs to check which version of Windows they have, as they would be breaking their EULA if they have OEM Windows and transfer it to a different computer. Putting the word broken in inverted commas doesn't suddenly make breaking your EULA legal....

[Butcher]

I swapped motherboard, cpu and ram out without reinstalling windows (or even uninstalling drivers) and windows 7 is working just fine. Had to install a bunch of new drivers and reinstall my gfx card driver but after that it just worked. Windows wanted to reactivate too.

[Agrippa]

Windows is indeed retail, so I ought to be fine. The EULA I'm really not concerned about; I paid for it, so I'll use it how and where I want to use it.

Anyway, good to hear that many of you have swapped hardware without any trouble ensuing and thanks for letting me know!

[ApophisXP]

Did this twice in the past week. Windows 8/10 was happy with it. A system with vista died on me lol

[Agrippa]

I forgot all about this thread. Swapping motherboards with Windows 8.1 in place did indeed work without the slightest hitch. Easy peasy.