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What to do after I install my new motherboard?

Anonymous
2023-09-28T09:46:04+00:00

Hi. I just purchased a new motherboard, RAM, and CPU for my PC. I'm assuming after I install these, Windows 10 will cease to boot. My Windows 10 came with the PC and is OEM.

That being said, I would like to upgrade to Windows 11 instead due to the newer model motherboard and CPU.

I'm pretty new to this do some instruction and guidance would be pretty heavily appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. DaveM121 869.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-09-28T10:24:27+00:00

    Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

    1

    If your PC came with a pre-installed OEM licence, that is locked to the original motherboard and cannot be transferred to the new motherboard, you would need to purchase a new Windows licence.

    2

    Before you upgrade your hardware, create a bootable Windows 11 USB which you will need to use to clean install Windows 11 after the new hardware is installed.

    Click this link:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

    to download the Media Creation Tool to create the bootable Windows 11 USB on an empty 8B SB flash drive.

    Then, Boot your PC from the Installation Media you just created (change Boot Order in your BIOS) to begin installing Windows 11

    During the installation process skip the steps which ask for a product key and select the option 'I am Reinstalling Windows 11 on this PC'.

    You will then most likely need to purchase a new Windows licence to activate Windows.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-09-28T12:14:32+00:00

    Okay, cool. I appreciate it. That being said when you say that, do you mean I am able to delete these partitions from this installation menu or will I have to do this beforehand?

    Sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question but again this is my first time

    Thanks for all your help,

    Joseph

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  2. DaveM121 869.7K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-09-28T12:00:47+00:00

    Yes, you will be given the option where to install Windows, you will need to delete the C drive partition, the EFI (boot) partiton and the Recovery partiton, they will merge into one 'Unallocated Space', select that and click 'Next' to begin the installation.

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  3. Neil D 32,830 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-09-28T11:56:17+00:00

    This may help explain Windows 11 Clean Installation (microsoft.com) you need to be sure you backup all your personal files from the existing hard drive.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-09-28T11:49:12+00:00

    Thanks. My parts will have all arrived by Tuesday so I'll go ahead and pick up a flash drive on the way home from work today and download the Install Media.

    Follow-up questions, though:

    When I choose the option to install windows 11 after booting from the flash drive, does it give me the choice to install to my primary hard drive?

    If it does, does it automatically overwrite and delete the old windows 10 files or will I have to manually delete those?

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