Need to reinstall Windows 7 from free upgrade offered in 2009

[johnny71181]

Hi everyone,

When my laptop was purchased back in 2009, it was given a free upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 because 7 was just about to come out. Now, I have restored my laptop to factory settings, which returned it to Windows Vista. Is there a way I can access the free upgrade again?

Thanks in advance for any help.
John

 

[pparks1]

When I got my free upgrade, MS actually sent me a physical disk that I installed from. Do you not have a physical DVD somewhere?

 

[johnny71181]

When I got my free upgrade, MS actually sent me a physical disk that I installed from. Do you not have a physical DVD somewhere?

No, I think we got a code online somehow and downloaded it.

 

[pparks1]

If you still have the install code, I think you can download the ISO's from Digital River and install those. Just search here for Digital River and you should find the links.

 

[gregrocker]

The Win7 Upgrade kit included a clean copy Win7 DVD which can be clean reinstalled without first installing Vista. It is a standard Win7 installer for your version with an OEM Product Key which locks to the mobo once it is activated so it can't be moved elsewhere.

If you didn't save the installer you'll need to at least have the Product Key to reinstall it. Then you can find everything you need in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

 

[karlsnooks]

Johnny,
The easy way with the greatest flexibility:
buy an upgrade copy of win 7.
Use the tutorial in this forum to make a clean install of Win 7 using an Upgrade disc.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

True, this isn't the cheapest solution but presents you with greater flexibility.