时不时地，您会想要升级您的系统硬件。最常见的升级部分是将硬盘驱动器升级为固态驱动器，或全新的图形处理单元 ( GPU )。但是，有时您可能需要更换主板——帮助所有其他部件进行通信的计算机部件。
升级主板并不难。但激活Windows 10并让它与您的新主板完美配合是另一回事。这是在不重新安装Windows 10的情况下更换主板的方法。
您可以在 Windows 10 上更换主板吗？(Can You Replace a Motherboard On Windows 10?)
使用Windows 10(Windows 10)时更换主板的问题源于微软的许可。或者更确切地说，当您想要进行重大升级时，误解了Windows 10许可证的工作原理。(Windows 10)
有三种主要的Windows 10许可证类型：
- OEM：原始设备制造商(Equipment Manufacturer)许可证预装在您购买的硬件上，并链接到设备中的主板
- 零售：(Retail: )您在线购买零售许可证，并且可以在不同计算机之间转移许可证
- 批量：(Volume: )Microsoft向大型组织（如企业、大学或政府）批量发放批量许可证，并允许单个许可证密钥激活多个安装
每个Windows许可证都链接到它首先安装的硬件，特别是主板。只有零售许可证可以在主板之间转让。如果您尝试使用OEM或批量许可证更换(OEM)Windows 10机器上的主板，则新安装很可能不会激活Windows 10。
但是，有几个示例是在新硬件（包括主板）上激活Windows 10 OEM和批量许可证。(OEM)有关详细信息，请查看如何将 Windows 10 许可证转移到新计算机( transfer a Windows 10 license to a new computer)。
如何检查您的 Windows 10 许可证类型(How to Check Your Windows 10 License Type)
在尝试更换主板之前，请检查系统上安装的Windows 10许可证的类型。
在开始菜单(Start Menu)搜索栏中键入命令提示符(command prompt)(command prompt)，然后打开Best Match。现在，输入以下命令：
slmgr -dli
稍等片刻，Windows Script Host窗口就会出现。您将在Description旁边看到Windows 10许可证类型。它将清楚地说明您拥有的许可证类型，是零售、OEM或批量。
如果您拥有零售许可证，则可以轻松地将您的Windows 10安装转移到新主板上。
如何在不重新安装 Windows 10 的情况下更换主板(How To Replace a Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows 10)
当您更换主板时，您可以保留硬盘驱动器或固态驱动器与您的Windows 10安装。更换主板后，重新连接Windows 10驱动器。一切顺利，Windows 10将自行重新配置，您可以继续使用该操作系统。
正如您所料，事情并不总是这样！在大多数情况下，您会遇到与Windows 10许可证激活相关的问题。确保您的新主板不需要全新安装的最佳方法是在进行更改之前链接您的Windows许可证和您的Microsoft帐户。(Microsoft)
按Windows Key + I，然后前往Updates & Security > Activation。在添加 Microsoft 帐户(Add a Microsoft account)下，选择添加帐户(Add an account)。在此之后，您需要登录您的Microsoft帐户。完成登录过程后，Microsoft 将链接您的 Windows 10 许可证( Microsoft will link your Windows 10 license)和您的 Microsoft 帐户。
链接您的帐户可让您在安装新主板后重新登录Windows 10，而不会弄乱产品代码或其他方式。但是，您应该注意，只有零售许可证才能以这种方式转移。也就是说，还有许多OEM或批量许可证也被激活的例子，所以值得一试。
Windows 10 许可证疑难解答(Windows 10 License Troubleshooter)
Windows 10 包含一个许可证疑难解答程序，您可以使用它来尝试修复任何主板后问题。疑难解答程序应检测到您最近安装了新硬件。
安装新主板后，按Windows Key + I，然后前往Updates & Security > Activation，您可能会发现Windows 未激活(Windows is not activated )消息。如果确实看到该消息，请转到页面底部，然后选择疑难解答(Troubleshoot)。
现在，选择我最近更改了此设备上的硬件(I changed hardware on this device recently)。然后，登录您的Microsoft帐户并识别您正在使用的设备。Microsoft激活过程将启动，一两分钟后，它应该会使用您的新主板激活Windows 10 。
使用 Windows 7 或 Windows 8.1 产品密钥激活(Activate With Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Product Key)
当Windows 10发布时，微软(Microsoft)确认现有的Windows 7和Windows 8/8.1许可证持有者将免费升级到Windows 10。升级过程将旧Windows版本的许可证转换为新操作系统的数字许可证。
许可证和产品密钥的数字化使许多Windows用户没有新操作系统的特定产品密钥——只有设置(Settings)面板中的信息表明您拥有数字许可证。
如果安装新主板后Windows 10无法激活，并且您通过Windows 7或 8/8.1 升级到(Windows 7)Windows 10，您可以尝试使用旧产品密钥在新硬件组合上激活Windows 10 。
按Windows Key + I，然后前往Updates & Security > Activation. 在更新产品密钥(Update product key)下，选择更改产品密钥(Change product key)。输入与您的 Windows 7 或 Windows 8/8.1 许可证关联的产品密钥，然后选择Next。现在应该激活 Windows 10。
努力寻找旧的产品密钥？这里有几个地方你可以检查找到它( a few places you can check to find it)！
You Don’t Have to Reinstall Windows 10!
如果您在进行切换之前采取了几个步骤，则无需在升级主板后重新安装Windows 10 。困难在于在完成升级后让Windows 10和新主板正常运行。(Windows 10)
Windows 10 零售版许可证持有者应该完全没有问题。零售许可证是专为多次安装而设计的产品，没有问题。
Windows 10 OEM和批量许可证持有者可以尝试在不重新安装Windows的情况下升级其主板。它在某些时候确实有效——但并非所有时候都(not all of the time)有效。尝试并记住回到Windows 10启动。您是否(Did)从Windows 7或 Windows 8/8.1 升级到Windows 10？如果是这样，您需要尝试使用旧操作系统中的产品密钥。
如果您选择干净的Windows 10安装，请务必查看如何创建 Windows 10 安装 U 盘(how to create a Windows 10 installation USB stick)。
How To Replace a Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows 10
Eνery now and then, you’ll want to make upgrades to your system hardware. The most common part to upgrade is a hard drive to a solid-state drive, оr a ѕhiny new graphicѕ processing unit (GPU). At times, however, yоu might want to replace your motherboard—the bit of the computer that helps аll the other parts communicate.
Upgrading a motherboard isn’t too difficult. But activating Windows 10 and having it play nicely with your new motherboard is a different story. Here’s how you replace a motherboard without reinstalling Windows 10.
Can You Replace a Motherboard On Windows 10?
The problem with replacing a motherboard while using Windows 10 stems from Microsoft’s licensing. Or rather, misunderstanding how Windows 10 licenses work when you want to make a major upgrade.
There are three main Windows 10 license types:
- OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer licenses come preinstalled on the hardware you purchase and are linked to the motherboard in the device
- Retail: You purchase a retail license online and can transfer the license between different computers
- Volume: Microsoft issues volume licenses in bulk to large organizations, such as businesses, universities, or governments, and allows a single license key to activate numerous installations
Each Windows license links to the hardware it’s first installed on, specifically, the motherboard. Only the retail license is transferable between motherboards. If you attempt to swap out the motherboard on a Windows 10 machine using an OEM or Volume license, there is a strong chance the new installation will not activate Windows 10.
There are several examples, however, of Windows 10 OEM and Volume licenses activating on new hardware, including a motherboard. For more information, check out how to transfer a Windows 10 license to a new computer.
How to Check Your Windows 10 License Type
Before attempting to replace your motherboard, check the type of Windows 10 license installed on your system.
Type command prompt in your Start Menu search bar, and open the Best Match. Now, input the following command:
slmgr -dli
Wait a brief moment for the Windows Script Host window to appear. You’ll see the Windows 10 license type alongside the Description. It will clearly state which license type you have, be that retail, OEM, or volume.
If you have a retail license, you can transfer your Windows 10 installation to a new motherboard easily.
How To Replace a Motherboard Without Reinstalling Windows 10
When you switch out your motherboard, you can keep the hard drive or solid-state drive with your Windows 10 installation. After replacing the motherboard, you reconnect the Windows 10 drive. All being well, Windows 10 will reconfigure itself, and you can continue using the operating system.
As you might expect, it doesn’t always work out like that! For the most part, you’ll encounter issues relating to Windows 10 license activation. The best way to make sure your new motherboard doesn’t require a fresh installation is to link your Windows license and your Microsoft account before making the change.
Press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation. Under Add a Microsoft account, select Add an account. After this, you’ll need to sign into your Microsoft account. Once you complete the sign-in process, Microsoft will link your Windows 10 license and your Microsoft account.
Linking your account allows you to sign back into Windows 10 after installing your new motherboard, without messing around with product codes or otherwise. However, you should note that only Retail licenses transfer in this manner. That said, there are numerous examples of OEM or Volume licenses also activating, so it’s worth a try.
Windows 10 License Troubleshooter
Windows 10 includes a license troubleshooter you can use to attempt to fix any post-motherboard issues. The troubleshooter should detect that you recently installed new hardware.
After installing your new motherboard, press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation, where you may find the Windows is not activated message. If you do see the message, head to the bottom of the page, and select Troubleshoot.
Now, select I changed hardware on this device recently. Then, sign into your Microsoft account and identify the device you are using. The Microsoft activation process will whirr into life, and after a moment or two, it should activate Windows 10 with your new motherboard.
Activate With Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Product Key
When Windows 10 was announced, Microsoft confirmed that existing Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 license holders would receive a free upgrade to Windows 10. The upgrade process converted licenses for the older Windows versions into digital licenses for the new operating system.
That digitization of licenses and product keys left many Windows users without a specific product key for their new operating system—only the information in the Settings panel that you have a digital license.
If Windows 10 will not activate after installing a new motherboard and you upgraded to Windows 10 via Windows 7 or 8/8.1, you can attempt to activate Windows 10 on the new hardware combination using your old product key.
Press Windows Key + I, then head to Updates & Security > Activation. Under Update product key, select Change product key. Input the product key associated with your Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license and select Next. Windows 10 should now activate.
Struggling to find your old product key? Here are a few places you can check to find it!
You Don’t Have to Reinstall Windows 10!
You don’t have to reinstall Windows 10 after upgrading your motherboard if you take a few steps before making the switch. The difficulty is getting Windows 10 and your new motherboard to play nicely after you complete the upgrade.
Windows 10 Retail license holders should have no trouble at all. The Retail license is a product designed for multiple installations, without issue.
Windows 10 OEM and Volume license holders can attempt to upgrade their motherboard without reinstalling Windows. It definitely works on occasion—but not all of the time. Try and remember back to the Windows 10 launch. Did you upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to Windows 10? If so, you need to try using your product key from the old operating system.
If you opt for a clean Windows 10 installation, make sure to check out how to create a Windows 10 installation USB stick.
