I will be installing a new motherboard. Is it as simple as just rebooting Windows7? Or are there some settings/files that require preservation?

It depends. If your new motherboard uses the same chipset, the same audiochip, the same whatever, you can basically try to just switch them. Everything checking the MAC address will give you troubles nevertheless. If your new mainboard uses a new chipset, you will have troubles anyway. So, I clearly recommend that you perform a brand new installation of your OS after the change of the mainboard, it is the safest way.

To expound on what AnkH said, any software that performs a hardware ID check such as Windows, Office, some addon aircraft, will fail the next time you try to use it.

 

Windows will not fail to load, but your activation will likely be erased and you will be notified.

 

In addition to losing any activations or registrations, your software may not perform correctly (especially Windows!).

 

The SAFEST thing to do is a complete reinstall.

Thanks - feared that but better than spending hours to get out of trouble.

 

Question - The USER and PROGRAM DATA folders have a lot of "stuff" in them. Does a clean install wipe them out? I suspect it does. The other point is programs and other files, are they also wiped out? The warnings from Windows on the install process are ominous!

To do it properly, I would format the C:\ drive completely and perform a "brand new" installation. This means of course, that you need to save your files beforehand somewhere else. This basically answers your question, yes, a clean install wipes everything out.