Now that I've upgraded Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, what happens if my motherboard fails? Can I use my Windows 8.1 Pro media to install 8.1 to a new PC and go through the Windows 10 upgrade activation again (on a new system)?
From my understanding, Windows 10 is now tied to my hardware (motherboard). I did not originally purchase an OEM product. I originally purchased a retail copy of Windows 7 Home. When Microsoft offered the cheap upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $25, I purchased this.
Answer
The Windows 10 Hardware ID is not tied specifically to the motherboard, but to the entire device. Microsoft understands that failures on hardware can happen from time to time. So long as the upgrade was performed properly on the original hardware, there is a percentage of hardware that can be replaced without effecting the Windows 10 activation. Hardware ID specification can be found here: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff552325(v=vs.85).aspx
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