New motherboard, new Microsoft Windows license?

Microsoft recently made a change to the licence agreement saying that a new motherboard is equal to a new computer, hence you need to purchase a new Windows licence.

Here is what Microsoft has to say:

?An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a ?new personal computer? to which Microsoft? OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.?



The reason Microsoft gave for this term is that ?Microsoft needed to have one base component ?left standing? that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the ?heart and soul? of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.?

Microsoft sent a memo to its OEM partners asking them to enforce this new policy, every time they upgrade a computer for a client.

From the Microsoft License FAQ, question 11:

Rather than purchase completely new PCs, my organization performs in-place upgrades to the hardware on many of our computers. We often times only replace the motherboard, processor, and memory. Since the COA is still on the case and the OS is still installed on the hard drive, this computer is still licensed, right?

Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs.


Microsoft License FAQ (Word .doc format)


From:
http://bink.nu/Article6247.bink

Hmm, i just changed a motherboard, hope i don't need to get a license, cos i am lazy :cheesy:

Do you have an OEM , or an retail disc/licence?

Yes. But the laptop is covered with a 3 year warranty, which have not expire, but i already changed 3 hard disk, and one motherboard. So hmm..

Its still new , so they probebly dont have any real way of checking it yet , but they will make sure all OEM installs in the future will be matched with the original motherboard. Right now the new activation only kicks in when you changed hardware severall times.

But companys with hundereds of OEM licences are gona have big problems in the future i think..