I'm replacing my current PC and need to keep using it normally until the final shutdown. The SSD contains my existing Windows installation, so I can't wipe or format it ahead of time. Once the old system is powered off, I want to move the SSD to the new motherboard and perform a clean Windows installation.
Is there anything I should do before shutting down the old PC, especially since I'm moving from Intel to AMD, or can I simply boot from a Windows installation USB and delete the old partitions during setup? I also have a retail Windows license linked to my Microsoft account and the product key available for reactivation on the new hardware.
The system also has two HDDs configured in RAID. Should I disconnect them during the Windows installation to avoid accidentally selecting or formatting the wrong drive? Are there any additional precautions I should take to preserve the RAID array and its data?
4 Answers
After installing Windows, sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the retail license and use the activation troubleshooter if necessary. A major hardware change can require reactivation, but a retail license is generally transferable as long as it isn’t still being used on another PC. Install the new motherboard’s chipset, network, storage, and other device drivers afterward.
Treat the RAID array as the biggest risk. RAID is not a substitute for a backup, and whether it transfers cleanly depends on whether it uses motherboard RAID, Windows Storage Spaces, or a dedicated controller. Back up all irreplaceable data to separate storage before changing the motherboard, and document the current RAID configuration. Be especially careful with RAID 0, since one failure can destroy the entire array.
Since you’re planning a clean installation, you can use the SSD in the old PC right up until shutdown. Back up anything important from it first, then move it to the new system, boot from the Windows USB installer, choose a custom installation, delete the old SSD partitions, and install Windows to the resulting unallocated space. Windows will recreate the partitions it needs. You don’t need to remove Intel drivers manually if you’re wiping the installation.
Disconnect both HDDs before starting Windows Setup. Leaving only the target SSD connected makes it much harder to accidentally delete or place boot files on the wrong drive. Reconnect the HDDs after Windows, motherboard drivers, chipset drivers, and updates are installed.
The exact RAID type and controller matter a lot. Don’t initialize or format the HDDs on the new system unless you’re certain the array has been detected correctly and your data is backed up.