Upgrading GPU after Win 10

PNM_Jennings

So my understanding of the free upgrade to Win 10 is that it takes a look at your hardware, saves the configuration, then uses that to activate the OS. My question is though, if I upgrade my GPU *after* upgrading to Win 10, is it going to lock me out or some such nonsense? I have my product key, but I have no guarantee that it will work (because reasons). I'd like to get Win 10 set up, but If there's a chance it'll nope out on me if I change the hardware configuration, then I'm not sure I want to take the risk.

Cleffy

I don't imagine it will be a problem. I did just stick 2 more memory dims and an SSD into my system with no problem. If it does lock to hardware, it would be the mobo not the other components.

PNM_Jennings

Okay. Thanks. Related question: when you do a reset of Wind 10, during the reinstall, can you choose the os install location? i.e. If I had it installed on one drive (an HDD) could I choose to install it on different one (an SSD) during that process.

Cleffy

I haven't done a complete wipe of my Win10. I did the upgrade. So I am not too sure the answer. Typically when you install an OS you choose your partition. During the upgrade it just uses the same drive. So if you wanted it on a different drive, you would probably have to copy the image over before or after the upgrade.

Vrika

atticusbc said:

Okay. Thanks. Related question: when you do a reset of Wind 10, during the reinstall, can you choose the os install location? i.e. If I had it installed on one drive (an HDD) could I choose to install it on different one (an SSD) during that process.

Yes. If you wipe everything  you can choose the install location.

Quizzical

I read somewhere that a clean Windows 10 installation will now accept a valid Windows 7 or 8 key as a valid 10 key, too.  So Microsoft is explicitly allowing you to wipe your Windows 7 or 8 computer clean, do a clean install of 10 on the same computer, and reuse the old key.

As for changing hardware, making some limited changes without needing a new license has been allowed for a long time.  A new GPU, new RAM, and/or a new SSD would be fine.  It's if you want to replace the motherboard that things can get dicey, as Microsoft often views that as a new computer, not an upgrade of the old.

Quazal.A

Ive read in few places the key is your MOBO , and cPU, however, it also depends on your windows 7/8, if they are retail versions then it should be ok, normally you have to ring the M$ authentication line and then it will be fine, however, if its an OEM 7/8 then thats where it gets really sticky, i have heard various reports of success , some say after speaking to microsoft they have authenticated it again, others say they were outright refused.
But doing just your SSD/GPU/RAM wont have any real impact on the licence.