Retail disc into OEM disc

My laptop came with windows 7 pre installed. And no windows disc in the pack..

I managed to get hold of a complete retail version of windows 7 x64 that doesn't have a License Key with it.. I chose one without a license key because i dont want to run a illegal cloned computer.

I read somewhere on the internet, that you can change the retail version installation disc into a OEM disc but i cant remember how exactly. I have a .iso of windows 7 and i am able to access the internal files of the .iso I know i had to create a oem folder and insert a certificate from my laptop "OEM.xrm-ms" but im uncertain of the other steps. I know i could have just made a backup, but there's something about wanting a windows 7 oem disc for my laptop, so i can install fresh. And in case the recovery partition goes wrong. I asked dell for one the said no.

can anyone point me in the right direction or explain the step to do this?

You can use a retail installer to clean reinstall Factory OEM since XP. You want to use the Product Key on COA sticker to change the activation to MS servers and protection.

Follow these steps to get it perfect: Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums

If i use a retail installer to do a clean install, it would basicly be like the disc i currently have just abit more updated.. However i did find eventually what i was looking for. It was to create a directory ($oem$\$$\system32\oem\ then certificates go here) I could do this to the updated retail installer image too.

But the next step im looking for is activation. Because my laptop came pre-activated. if i input my oem license key offline will i still have to connect to the internet to activate my version of windows? Im looking to make a pre activated disc, If i were to make a answer file to input the key automatically would i still need to activate my version of windows? Is there a way i can make the disc pre-activated?

The Recovery Disks will auto-activate with Factory SLP offline activation. The method to back up OEM-SLP factory activation is not preferred by the Forum's Administrator.

Why would you not want to activate with Product Key on COA sticker? It protects you in MS Servers permanantly while removing you from the OEM's possibly careless Support which can often violate the Win7 EULA in various ways, like refusing to support 32-bit or clean reinstall.

You can use a Windows 7 retail disc along with a genuine Windows 7 OEM product key to perform a clean install.

The two versions of Windows must be the same e.g. Home Premium, and when it comes to activating the installation you will need to use the robocall activate by telephone method.

UltraSoul said:

My laptop came with windows 7 pre installed. And no windows disc in the pack..

I managed to get hold of a complete retail version of windows 7 x64 that doesn't have a License Key with it.. I chose one without a license key because i dont want to run a illegal cloned computer.

I read somewhere on the internet, that you can change the retail version installation disc into a OEM disc but i cant remember how exactly. I have a .iso of windows 7 and i am able to access the internal files of the .iso I know i had to create a oem folder and insert a certificate from my laptop "OEM.xrm-ms" but im uncertain of the other steps. I know i could have just made a backup, but there's something about wanting a windows 7 oem disc for my laptop, so i can install fresh. And in case the recovery partition goes wrong. I asked dell for one the said no.

can anyone point me in the right direction or explain the step to do this?

I am surprised to know that Dell refused to send you an OEM Reinstall Disk.

If you are living in USA and if your Dell Laptop is within warranty, you are entitled to get the Recovery Media and Dell will usually send you the OEM Reinstall Disk free. Just fill in the Media Request Form here Dell - Support and submit online and wait to see what happens.( Not a long wait. Within days you will know.) (Dell India sent me the OEM Reinstall Disk even though I specifically asked for the Recovery Disk:))

Have a look at these links, which should help.

Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

How to Choose Desired Windows 7 Edition / Version During Setup? - Tweaking with Vishal

I agree with jumanji in that I'm surprised Dell refused your request - unless of course they knew you were going to or had used a retail version of Windows. Doing that invalidates their warranty conditions, but obviously they wouldn't know unless they had been told.

I asked dell for recovery media but they told me i have a recovery partition and i can make my own recovery media from dell software, or use windows backup and restore. So they wouldn't send me a oem disc for a fresh install. And im in UK not USA or india

I used Macrium Reflect to make a image of all my partitions including the recovery partition so i can easily repair my computer. But if the image on one of the disc become corrupted or scratched i wanted a win7 oem disc specifically for my laptop which i could just insert and run unattended to re install my laptop fresh.

I have no intention of trying to install another version of windows, im happy with home premium so im not looking to unlock a disc to give me other version. As for the license key, when i use a program to find the key it shows that i have 2 keys for windows 7. Windows Product Key & Windows Default Product Key there both different so im not sure what one to use. Only one of the keys are the same as the sticker, and if i use that one and i re install, there's a chance il lose the other one, thats why im looking to make a pre activated oem disc rather then install a retail version.

I must confess that I am surprised at Dell.

I'd be inclined to contact them again and tell them that you tried to create your recovery media, but that it wouldn't complete and they might relent and ship you a recovery disc.

In terms of the product keys, the one you need to use is the one on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker. The other product key is locked into the system and is the OEM key used by system builders to pre-activate Windows before the computer is sent to the buyer and is not one you should concern yourself with or worry about losing.

Have a look at this excellent tutorial by Gregrocker.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I found this article that partly explains what im trying to archive.

How to Backup and Restore Windows 7 OEM Activation License(Activate Offline On Reinstall)

To activate my laptop offline with the OEM license.

With a windows 7 .iso i have, i made the $oem$ folder and have added my laptops certificates, I now want to make it pre activated offline and automated.
If i follow the instructions set out in the article but so the files move to the directory during installation would this then make my disc pre activated during the first use so i would not have to move the files manually? Or activate online or by phone.

Since dell wouldn't send me out a oem disc for my laptop im trying to make a pre-activated oem disc of my own for my laptop, that is automated, just insert and go.