Do you wish to opt for the upgradation of the motherboard and your CPU, which you can do without having to opt for the reinstallation of Windows 10? Well, if yes, in this article, we have given a complete process that contains information on how to set the system up for the changes in its hardware changes. It involves backing up the data that is important.
It further involves the uninstallation of the present-day CPU drivers and motherboard, and the replacement of the motherboard and CPU physically. Now, once you have your new components installed, you are able to run driver updates. You are also able to reactivate Windows 10 so that your system functions smoothly.
Also Check: Remove Activate Windows Watermark
How to Upgrade Motherboard and CPU Without Reinstalling Windows 10?
You can opt for the upgradation of the CPU and motherboard without having to reinstall Windows 10 by first ensuring that your important files are backed up. Before you install the new ones, you must also ensure that the new CPU and motherboard show compatibility with Windows 10 and the system.
Also, ensure to install them using a driver CD or with the help of the manufacturer’s website. Other steps involve uninstalling the old CPU drivers and motherboards, reactivating Windows, system boot-up, and more.
Methods to Upgrade Motherboard and CPU Without Reinstalling Windows 10
Method 1: Modify Registry (Before changing/upgrading your Motherboard)
This method is further divided into 2 types which you can opt for i.e. modifying the registry offline and modifying the registry online. Here’s given a complete process for both of them:
Modify Registry Online
It requires following the enlisted steps while running your current Windows before you replace your CPU and/or motherboard:
- Opt for tapping Win + R so you can initiate the Run dialog
- Now, in the textbox, opt to input regedit and then opt for clicking OK. This will help you in launching “Registry Editor.“
- Here, in the given window, opt for navigating to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci
- Now, at this point, opt for double-clicking “Start” DWORD
- Here, you will be able to modify the value data (i.e. to 0).
- Now, opt for clicking OK.
- At this point, opt for modifying the DWORD value data of this given key to 0: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\pciide
- Once done with the modification as per the above steps, opt for shutting your PC down once. Now is the time for the replacement or/and upgradation of the Motherboard/CPU.
Modify Registry Offline
- First, opt for tapping on the F2 key. This step will help initiate BIOS settings.
- Now, at this point, opt for setting your disc. It should be set as the very first boot device
- Now, opt for saving those BIOS settings
- It’s now time to opt for restarting the system
- Here, at this point, opt for the option, “Repair your computer”.
- Opt for Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt
- Now, opt for typing regedit to get to Registry Editor
- Here, opt for highlighting the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Opt for choosing the option, “File”. Now, opt for Load Hive
- Opt for “System Drive”
- Now, from the given options, locate C:\Windows\system32\config\system
- Opt for the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Offline\ControlSet001\services\msahci key and opt for the modification of the value to 0
- Opt for the modification of the value of this given entry to 0 –HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Offline\ControlSet001\services\pciide
- Now, it’s time you opt for restarting your PC
- At this point, you will not find any hassles to start Windows 10.
Method2: Perform Universal Restore
1. AOMEI Backupper
Opting for the replacement of the motherboard that too without having to reinstall Windows could look like it is hard but it’s not the case. Enlisted are the steps which will help with the use of AOMEI Backupper:
System Backup
- First, opt for downloading AOMEI Backupper. Once downloaded, run it. You may opt for a free trial (i.e. Win 10/8.1/8/7/XP Secure Download)
- Now, opt for clicking on the System Backup option that is right under the backup tab. It automatically selects every item that is required for backing up. Now, for the backup, opt for the selection of the destination path and then all you have to do is click the “Start Backup” option. You can opt for your external and/or original hard drive. You may also opt for a network pa
Originate Bootable Media
- Once you are done with the replacement of the motherboard and/or CPU, there might be the case that the Windows on your PC failed to boot. This is where you will be originating the bootable media beforehand.
- To do the above, opt for Tools > Create Bootable Media.
Get Started With The Universal Restore
- Opt for tapping “DEL or F2” on repeat mode so you are able to modify the boot order
- Once done, opt for setting the bootable disk, which you have originated as the first option to boot.
- You will notice, here, that the AOMEI Backupper’s interface is showing up. Now, opt for clicking on “Restore and Select Task’ or/and “Select Image File”. It’s required so you can opt for the selection of the backup that was created beforehand.
- At this point, you would require reaching a decision on how you can opt for restoring the backup image. The best ways for the same involve, Restoring this system backup and Restoring a partition in this system backup. You can choose one according to your needs.
- Now, before you start the process to restore, check the Universal Restore option.
2. Using EaseUS Todo Backup
To opt for upgrading the motherboard and/or CPU, enlisted steps can be followed using EaseUS Todo Backup:
- Generate the Backup: Before opting for upgrading, a full system backup has to be generated using “EaseUS Todo Backup”.
- Installation of the Newest Hardware: Once a complete backup is generated, opt for the installation of the newest motherboard and/or CPU.
- Opt for Backup Restoration: Once the newest hardware gets installed, opt to boot the system.
- Activation of the Windows: Once you have restored the backup, activation of the Windows would be required. You may require using a product key (for the retail version). For the OEM Windows version, you will have to get in touch with the Microsoft team so you can opt to activate it.
- Installation of the Newest Drivers: At this point, you will have to opt for the installation of the newest drivers for the newest hardware. You may opt for downloading the same using a manufacturer’s website.
3. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office
To opt for upgrading the motherboard and/or CPU, enlisted steps can be followed using a reliable tool i.e. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office:
- Generate the Backup: To avoid any errors during the upgrade, before opting for the process of upgrading, a full system backup has to be generated using “Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office”.
- Installation of the Newest Hardware: Once a complete backup is generated, opt for the installation of the newest motherboard and/or CPU.
- Boot the System: Once the newest hardware gets installed, opt to boot the system (i.e. from bootable media of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office).
- Restoration of the Backup: Once you are done with the above steps, opt for the selection of the “backup restore” option to the newest hardware.
- Installation of the Newest Drivers: At this point, you will have to opt to install the newest drivers for the newest hardware. You may opt for downloading the same using a manufacturer’s website.
4. Use MiniTool ShadowMaker
Although to upgrade a motherboard and/or CPU needs to be installed anew. But with the use of a tool like MiniTool ShadowMaker, which is one of the best backup tools, you won’t have to opt for the reinstallation of Windows 10. You won’t require migrating your data too. These 9 steps will help you through:
- Before beginning with the process of hardware upgrade. You will be required to generate a system backup, which further will ensure safety during the entire process of the upgrade. You may opt for connecting a hard drive externally.
- Opt for the launch of the MiniTool ShadowMaker.
- Now, opt for choosing, “Backup” and then opt for the selection of “System Backup”. This will help generate a backup of the whole system drive.
- At this point, opt for shutting your PC down and replacing the previous motherboard and/or CPU with the latest ones. However, the hardware that you are going to put in has to show compatibility with all the parts that are existing like storage drives, RAM, etc.
- Now, opt to boot your PC, and then, for configuring the latest hardware, opt for entering the BIOS.
- Once done with the above settings, opt to boot into Windows 10.
- Now, opt for downloading and installing the MiniTool ShadowMaker.
- Opt for launching the MiniTool ShadowMaker and then opt for the selection of “Restore”. This time, you are asked to choose the backup, which you basically originated previously, and then opt for clicking “Next.”
- Opt for the selection of the system backup, which you have been looking forward to restoring, and then tap the option, “Next.”
- Here, what MiniTool ShadowMaker does is it will provide you with a list that contains all the available backups. Then all you gotta do is opt for the only backup you had originated previously before the process even began.
- Now, you will need a location (like a PC’s system drive) for backup restoration. After that, opt for clicking “Next” and then opt for the option, “Finish”. This will help you get started with the process of backup restoration.
- At this point, the MiniTool ShadowMaker has restored all of your data to the newest hardware. It further involves programs, settings, and more.
- Once you are done with the above process, it’s time to get the PC restarted.
Upgrade Motherboard and CPU Without Reinstalling Windows 10 FAQs –
Ans: No, in most scenarios, you won’t require purchasing a new Windows 10 in the case if you are replacing the motherboard or thinking of doing the same.
However, you must be having a retail version of Windows 10 installed on your PC. It’s because they can be easily transferred to the newest motherboard with a license installed only on one PC at once.
Ans: Yes, on your PC, if you opt for the hardware upgrade, you will require reactivating Windows 10. However, this thing completely depends on how many hardware changes are done.
This is because the activation of the digital license depends on the hardware configuration of the computer. You can put an activation troubleshooter to use that is using the Settings application so you can opt for reactivating Windows 10.
Ans: No, in all cases, you won’t require reinstalling Windows 10 once you have upgraded your motherboard and the CPU. However, you would require installing Windows 10 anew in the case any kind of errors are noticed.
If you don’t opt for the same, you will require to uninstall those drivers that are old so you can opt for the installation of new ones.
Ans: If you opt for changing the motherboard without opting for the reinstallation of Windows, the operating system does not work efficiently. This may happen because of concerns about compatibility between old drivers, the newest hardware, configuration settings, etc.
Also, it may happen that Windows 10 won’t recognize the new hardware. Hence, it won’t be able to install the drivers automatically that are required, and so on.
Conclusion –
After reading the above you must be understood the fact that there are numerous ways to opt for the upgradation of the motherboard and your CPU. Also, as suggested, you can do this without having to opt for the reinstallation of Windows 10. Apart from that, these methods like modifying the registry, performing universal restore (with tools like AOMEI Backupper, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, MiniTool ShadowMaker, etc.) and more are completely secure to be used anytime.
