Forum Discussion
Win 10 to Win 11 with cpu/mb replacement
My desktop PC is a home built machine, a beast in its day but now about 6 years old, which is currently running Windows 10. I get the normal nags from Microsoft inviting me to upgrade to Windows 11 but the current system fails the “can your machine run Windows 11” test. I’m about to rebuild the PC by replacing the CPU, which means replacing the motherboard, but I’m retaining pretty much everything else. (Plan is to upgrade the GPU when prices calm down a bit.)
I guess this is going to qualify as a brand new PC as far as Microsoft is concerned, but just before I go out and buy a new Win 11 license I thought I’d ask just in case I have overlooked something that will allow me to retain my existing license and save a little money on the upgrade.
1 Reply
✅ When you can reuse your existing license
You can activate Windows 11 on your rebuilt PC if:
License Type Transfer Allowed? Retail Windows 10 ✅ Yes, can move to new hardware Digital license linked to Microsoft account ✅ Yes, reactivate after hardware change Upgrade from retail Windows 7/8 → Windows 10 ✅ Yes OEM Windows 10 moved to same motherboard ❌ No (but you're changing motherboard) ❗ When you cannot reuse it
If your current Windows 10 license is:
- OEM / manufacturer-tied (came preinstalled from HP, Dell, etc.)
- Or Windows 10 OEM bought separately
Then it's legally tied to that motherboard and cannot be transferred.
Since you home-built your machine originally, you almost certainly installed a retail copy, so you're good.
✅ What to do (simple steps)
- Sign in to your current Windows 10 with a Microsoft account
- Settings → Accounts → Your info
- Ensure it says “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.”
- After rebuilding PC → install Windows 11
- When activation fails (it likely will), select:
Troubleshoot → I changed hardware on this device recently
- Pick your old PC from the list, confirm, and Windows 11 activates.
💡 Tip: If BIOS won’t pass Win11 requirements
Your new motherboard must support:
- TPM 2.0
- Secure Boot
- UEFI
Modern boards do — just enable them in BIOS.
📦 Summary
Situation Need new license? Retail Win10 / digital license ❌ No OEM Win10 tied to old board ✅ Yes Home-built PC originally installed manually ❌ Almost always no If you want, paste what Windows says under:
Settings → System → Activation
