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Topic subjectRebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Topic URLhttp://www.pcqanda.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=2&topic_id=564450
564450, Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Posted by Sid, Fri Aug-11-17 11:53 PM
My wife's eight-year-old HP desktop has seen its share of piecemeal upgrades, but, I have now embarked on a major remake which includes:

New Mobo
New CPU
New Boot Drive (SSD)
New Power Supply

I've purchased an OEM version of Windows 10 Home, but, would like to simply clone the old system onto the new drive. My obvious question is, can I get the old copy activated? Another caveat is that the existing copy of Win10 was a free download from "back when".

Much obliged for any guidance you wish to share.

564451, RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Posted by Ttech, Sat Aug-12-17 01:31 PM
Will it activate? You won't know until you try. Since you got the free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8, you might need the product key from the previous version. If this was a factory built computer you won't have a license key sticker for Windows 8.

Here's some info from Microsoft:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/windows-10-activation

Quote:
Activating Windows 10 after a hardware configuration change

If you made a significant hardware change to your device (such as replacing the motherboard), Windows 10 might no longer be activated and you might see the activation error codes 0x803f7001 or 0xC004C008. If you're running Windows 10, version 1607 or later, and added your Microsoft account and linked it to the digital license on your device, you can use the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter.


From this it looks like you need to make sure that you have added your Microsoft account to the old installation before you try to make the swap.

If it doesn't activate, it sounds like you already purchased another Windows 10 license that should work if you can't reactivate the old one.
564452, RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Posted by Sid, Sat Aug-12-17 03:19 PM
We can always rely on you, Martin (Ttech), for fast and full reporting! Thanks, I'll check out all those tips and apply as needed. I'll report the results either way (go/no-go) so others can benefit from your wisdom. You rule!
564453, RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Posted by jbmcmillan, Sat Aug-12-17 08:00 PM
It'll definitely trigger activation it took me an hour on the phone to get mine reactivated with me trying to convince them it was only on 1 computer lol.All I did was change a motherboard everything else was the same. It might be easier now my change was pretty new in the process.
564454, RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Posted by Sid, Sat Aug-12-17 11:32 PM
Thanx for the heads-up, John.
564456, RE: Rebuild of Existing Box---What Are the Chances That I Can Use Existing Copy of Win10?
Posted by Sid, Thu Aug-17-17 12:23 AM
Well, guys, I didn't immediately have luck with activation so I bit the bullet and installed the new OEM version I mentioned earlier. All's well and the computer is purring along.

Something unexpected did happen during installation. I'll tell you all about it in a new thread.

Appreciate the input on this.

Cheers!