Hey,

Next week I'm about to replace my CPU, GPU and Motherboard.

I'm moving from AMD to Intel Core i7, so the motherboard is completely different.

Is it possible to replace those parts without re-installing windows 8.1?

If I will have to re-install, how do I keep my license of Windows 8.1? (I bought an upgrade-from-windows-7 version)

You should find that the system will boot with the new motherboard, install some drivers then boot successfully. You will then need to install the Intel chipset and RST drivers from https://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx  - search for the RST drivers, they will not be offered automatically - and may need to install or update drivers for your new graphics card.

You will need to use telephone activation for the updated system, but should not need to re-install. When warned that you need to activate, select the "Contact Microsoft Customer Support" option and follow the instructions. With a tone dial phone you can do this without speaking to anyone. See http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

• Marked as answer by Or Yarimi Sunday, October 20, 2013 4:53 PM

Is it for sure that Windows 8.1 will "survive" this hardware changed?

Should I delete old drivers (instead of graphics drivers) before the swap?

Unless the new chipset is so new that Windows 8/8.1 cannot handle it, the system will boot. I have changed from AMD to Intel and back again successfully, just needing to reactivate.

It will leave your system less cluttered if you remove the AMD chipset and current graphics drivers before fitting the new board and graphics card.

• Marked as answer by Niki HanMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Wednesday, October 30, 2013 9:27 AM

Create a system image to external storage (usb hard drive)and create a system restore usb\flash drive utility. Then, boot to the utility and point it to the system image, and perform to the restore. This is a bare metal restore.

Test the boot utility and determine if it will "see" the image on an external drive before making the hardware change. If yes, it would be prudent before performing the actual restore to delete the current Win 8.1 partition.

You could also test it on a spare hard drive if you have one. Disconnect the current drive, connect the "new" drive and test and familiarize yourself with the process, before making the actual change.

That should make the hardware change go smoothly. Windows Updates should take care any driver updates later if they are necessary.

Perform a search for "windows 7 file recovery" in settings to access the "create a system image"utility. The create restore utility is in the side menu in the Backup area in Win 8.1.

Plugging the old drive to the new motherboard most likely won't work.

• Proposed as answer by aiyaiya Tuesday, October 22, 2013 2:14 AM

I did not have to do a clean install after transferring motherboards with Windows 8.1, I was very surprised and happy about this, hats off to MS for this nice design change.