Windows 7 - Help with HP and Windows 7 install

I have a friend who wants to replace the old 5400 RPM Seagate hard drive in his netbook. He got an SSD and asked how to install Windows 7 because he has no DVD rom.

I have done the copying of files and formatting a USB, but that's on a single license disc that I have.

He has the HP mini and the restore discs. What files do we need to copy from the HP restore disc to the formatted USB stick so we can use the USB stick to reinstall on to the new SSD?

Are they different files than from a retail license disc? A little guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I am not sure if this matters but I did help a friend with his Dell. Bought a new hard drive, installed it and then stuck the restore disc and Window XP was installed just fine. But I am not sure about HP and if it works like that too. Again, thanks

You can extract the ISO from your own installation DVD using ImgBurn, run the eicfg removal tool to unlock all versions, then write to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Windows 7 in dropdown menu.

Then boot the installer, select the licensed version on COA sticker, follow these steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of the HP: Reinstalling Windows 7

This will be a much superior clean reinstall without the factory bloatware and useless factory utilities which have much better versions built into Windows 7. You can extract any needed apps from Recov Disks using this method: Extract HP 3rd Party Software from RecovCD

You can also write the HP Recovery to flash stick: Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk - HP technical support (Finland - English)

So for my friend, he has all his data on another computer. So this should work like this?

Create the Windows 7 by using the HP Customer Care.
Get it on the USB stick
Shutdown
Remove the Hard Drive
Install the New SSD
Boot up to BIOS
Set boot to USB
Install Windows 7 and use the HP code and all is basically done

This is in broad strokes though, I know there are more details. But in a nutshell, is that it? Or at the first step I have to do what you listed?

I am going to need to read up on all the links you gave. Thanks for the information, will probably be back here again to talk more. Thanks G

What is the meaning of this:
Are you wanting to clean reinstall with a Windows 7 installer, or use the Factory Recovery stick with the preinstalled bloatware? I explained the difference above.

It isn't necessary to activate if you use Factory Recovery written to stick. Using the Windows 7 installer to clean reinstall requires using the Product Key on the COA sticker - make sure it is still readable.

I need to ditch the original mechanical hard drive and install a new SSD.

Your part "use Factory Recovery written to stick" is what I need to do. I'll follow the steps.

Thanks

Let us know how writing HP Recovery to stick works. I've not heard much feedback on it yet.

If there is any problem we can help you find a Windows 7 installer to write to stick for cleaner Reinstalling Windows 7