By Ed Bott | January 5, 2012, 3:48pm PST
Did your most recent Windows PC come with reinstallation media? Many do, some don’t. But contrary to what you might have read, creating replacement Windows discs is easy, and every major PC maker will supply backup discs, sometimes for free. I have details.
Read more at:
Lost your Windows discs? How to get replacement media, legally | ZDNet
Some time ago, I needed to remove all the useless, space-wasting factory crud from my HP lappy and make a fresh install of Win7/64. On the UK "Micromart" magazine forum, I received good advice from a techie working in a large international PC outlet. I used his advice and I pass it on here:
Backup all the stuff you intend to keep.
Your original Win7 Product Key is needed. On lappies, it is on the base. For a PC 'Big Box', it should have been a sticker in your original Windows disc case. If not, it may be stuck to the inside of the PC case.Write it down.
Borrow a genuine Win7 disc, OEM or Full. (Luckily, I had a full copy from my PC.) The disc MUST be same O/S as original: Win7/64, 32, Home Premium/Utimate/Professional/whatever.
Install the disc and follow the instructions for a complete new Installation. This will remove everything and prepare it for the new installation.
At activation, when asked for the Product Key, type in the one you wrote down, from your original O/S.
Follow the instructions on screen, for a shiny, spanking new installation.
Reinstall your backup stuff.