Reset Windows 10

[Dolby]

I simply moved my Bootable SSD drive into another computer and - although I expected it not to - it booted into Windows with no issues.

Now, however, I want to reset as it's a different PC hardware. If I select 'Reset' and from scratch, will it remove any old drivers and literally start from brand new?

 

[Grouter]

Yes. Is it activated though - that will be your biggest issue IMO.

 

[Dolby]

Yup. Was activated and said digital license linked to my Microsoft account.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[KleinBoontjie]

I have a feeling, when you reset, that Windows 10 will compare hardware ID with what's on Microsofts servers and might not activate. Please let me know if this worked.

 

[TedLasso]

I guess it will depend on what is changed. If you change motherboard or CPU it could definitely think it's a new PC and hence you may need another license.

 

[Dolby]

It worked ... didn't check anything

EDIT : It was whole new PC ... booted up without an issue. Only thing which was the same as mine, was the CPU (3570k). Once in and booted, I 'reset' and it activated again.

 

[HavocXphere]

Surprised by that. Historically you can only change a small number of components before windows freaks

 

[TedLasso]

It worked ... didn't check anything

EDIT : It was whole new PC ... booted up without an issue. Only thing which was the same as mine, was the CPU (3570k). Once in and booted, I 'reset' and it activated again.

View attachment 416137

To confirm, you transplanted the CPU from the old PC to the new one? If so, it means digital license could be tied to serial number of CPU and everything else hardware wise not considered important anymore.

Makes sense in a way, when people get new PCs they normally have faster newer ones ... so changing nearly everything except CPU doesn't start validation process which actually reduces calls to MS to 'reactivate licenses'

Now has someone figured out a way to overwrite CPU serial numbers.

 

[Dolby]

Sorry.

What I meant earlier by identical CPU is the same model ie we both had Intel 3570k. But they were two seperate PCs.

Literally pulled out the HDD from one, shoved it in the other ... And it worked 100℅.

I then reset totally, as I wanted a clean install with new drivers etc

 

[Soul Assassin]

To confirm, you transplanted the CPU from the old PC to the new one? If so, it means digital license could be tied to serial number of CPU and everything else hardware wise not considered important anymore.

Makes sense in a way, when people get new PCs they normally have faster newer ones ... so changing nearly everything except CPU doesn't start validation process which actually reduces calls to MS to 'reactivate licenses'

Now has someone figured out a way to overwrite CPU serial numbers.

That is not what he said at all, he took the SSD from his old PC, installed it into this new PC and activated.

 

[sajunky]

To confirm, you transplanted the CPU from the old PC to the new one? If so, it means digital license could be tied to serial number of CPU and everything else hardware wise not considered important anymore.

Makes sense in a way, when people get new PCs they normally have faster newer ones ... so changing nearly everything except CPU doesn't start validation process which actually reduces calls to MS to 'reactivate licenses'

Now has someone figured out a way to overwrite CPU serial numbers.

For number of years Intel CPU's do not have serial numbers, not anymore...

 

[kaufen]

This is to reset Windows 10.
Reinstalls Windows 10 and removes all your personal files.
Removes apps and drivers you installed.
Removes changes you made to settings.
Removes any apps your PC manufacturer installed. (If your PC came with Windows 10, apps from your PC manufacturer will be reinstalled.)
If you're planning to donate, recycle, or sell your PC, use this option and choose to fully clean the drive. This might take an hour or two, but it makes it harder for other people to recover files you've removed.

 

[sajunky]

This is to reset Windows 10.[...]

It didn't work in each case I tried. Last time it worked on XP (it required booting from the same installation CD it was installed from).