Do I need to reinstall Windows when switching out Mobo and processor?

[Vampiroth]

Do I absolutely have to do a fresh install of windows or is there a way I can just wipe all my drivers and be okay?

[Cyrops]

Doubt you can, but you can just try it :P

[solvexx]

You can some times get away with it, but often you will need to do a fresh install.

[Kivana]

You MIGHT be able to, however some drivers have conflicts with others, best bet is a fresh install.

[Deleted]

Id say no. It will kinda work but theres loads of stuff configured during initial setup of windows that wont get done if just swapping parts.

Im sure .net and things too compile locally on your computer after install to your specific hardware and that wont happen again until reinstall either.

[Deleted]

You'll only cause yourself more problems in the future if you don't do a fresh install.

[Butler to Baby Sloths]

It can work without. Emphasis on "can". Especially if you're swapping motherboard chipsets or brands, just do the re-install and save yourself the headaches.

[moremana]

What version of Windows?

[Gravewyrm]

There's a 99.758% chance that once you boot up said machine with the new MoBo and CPU, that you will have to re-activate windows as well. Just do a fresh install. Make a bootable USB stick, and have the installation done that way. Much faster than the traditional DVD system.

[Masark]

Maybe. Sometimes it'll work, sometimes it won't. I've personally swapped a motherboard (a NVIDIA-based EVGA to an Intel-based Gigabyte) with no reinstall needed.