Windows 7: Have Product Key, missing OEM discs

I have a valid HP Paviliion desktop Windows 7 Pro activation key. However, the discs are long gone and I don't have the time nor the inclination to order more discs.



Can I use any version of Windows 7 Professional with this key, or only certain kinds of versions, or...? Anyone know what I can do besides pay for the HP discs and wait for them to arrive in the mail?

The HP recovery partition is also seemingly long gone.

As always, thanks for all the time and help here at seven forums.

Download the Pro version iso from here and burn it to a disk; install, and use your product key to activate:

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

It should work if the product key you have came from the sticker on the HP.

My hero! Thank you!

2nd that

Everything you need is here to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Be sure to delete all partitions using Drive Options at the drive selection screen, then either create new as you wish or just click Next to let installer do it for you.

Damn it's telling me the product key doesn't match the version. Sticker says "windows 7 pro"

Are you using the correct licensed version, in 64-bit unless you have less than 4gb RAM?

Are you following the steps in tutorial I linked to get a perfect reinstall, or do you care what kind of install you get - which makes all the difference in how it performs and how long it lasts if you'll use only the tools and methods given?

Hey I may not have followed instructions but I will this time. Thanks!

No prob I see you only had a minute after I posted the tutorial so take your time to study and ask back any questions.

We'll help you get it perfect so you can save an image of the finished setup and never have to reinstall 7 again.

Totally my fautl. i was in such a hurry I combined the "my digital life" posts with yours. FYI guys, those mydigitallife links are for "Professional N" which will not work with a Windows 7 Professional key.

Gregrocker I am bookmarking your outstanding guide. Do you by chance have it in handy document form? I'd like to have it in my dropbox and use it from now on as my standard guide!