Windows 7 - Fresh Install of Windows w/o disk

More lately, you'll see that vendors dont include the windows installation disk anymore. They used to have more of a 'restore disk' but lately I haven't been seeing that anymore. What are users left to do when you need to do a fresh install of Windows? If its for someone else, could I use my windows install disc and use their product key (sticker on bottom)? I've heard that it doesn't always work that way?

Does Microsoft have any official documentation about this and if possible, could you share your experiences?

Hello bjp106.



Have a look at this tutorial at the link below to see a way to create an 'all versions' installer that can be used to install Windows, then you would use the product key on the COA sticker attached to the PC though you may have to make a robo-call to MS to sort the activation batch key.


Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

I'm assuming if they had "Home Premium" installed before, then I'd need to match putting that on correct? Im guess since the product key is tied to that version.

What would you do for Windows XP?

You should have a recovery partition (usually D) from which you can burn your own installation DVDs (you can do that only once). And if you keep the recovery partition around, you can install directly from there - which is the most convenient way.

Thanks.

-What would, in fact, be legal in this similar situation while doing consulting?
-What have others done in consulting situations for both XP and Windows 7?
-What do small businesses do for people coming in that need fresh installs?

These "consulting situations" could be anything that would need a fresh install of the Windows OS. For ex - like, boot errors, corrupt system files, viruses/malware. Basically anything that would be better off with a fresh install.

I can't speak for legality but I can say what I have done before. I have made a Windows 7 Universal install disc for working on Windows 7 PCs, but I haven't used it on any computer besides my own yet. For XP I have a XP SP2 install disc that I use and the key on the side/back/bottom of the computer I was working on have always worked.

From a legal standpoint calling MS with COD in hand to beg from activate code is probably the official MS approved method. Unofficial method on a working system would be to extract the key code, certificate if a OEM computer and re-import.
Small businesses usually use Volume licensing.

I'd suggest you visit some local shops, or better yet contact MS directly if you are entering into a business doing such.

.