pre installed software...

How do i get pre-installed software back on my system? I had Vista that came with my Vaio and it came bundled with Adobe Premier and Elements, and i want these programs back. I did a back up of my hard drive while on vista, then installed Windows 7 64bit, but cant seem to find the installation file for these programs, what would the installation file look like? Alternatively, can i download from adobe and then apply the "licence" file? Thanks in advance people.

Look in disk management for the presence of a recovery partition.

Software should be on there. Not sure how to go about doing something with it because I never had or used one before. It may only be an image or something. Or perhaps, it may have .exe you can install from.

I wonder if MS is putting some welcome pressure on manufacturers to not enforce their bloatware so much with 7.

Acer Upgrade Kit includes a clean copy of Win7 and an apps/drivers menu CD. Just pick and choose what you want to install! Dell apparently does this too.

With Vista, manufacturers enforced bloatware so ridiculously many would not support clean reinstalls or give access to needed apps without it. They make their profit margin in some cases from the sponsored bloat.

Since the missing programs were bundled with your computer, the best approach is to call your manufacturer and ask how you can obtain those specific programs, and you might get lucky. Sometimes I call back several times when told something "can't be done" until I get someone who knows or tells how. And always check their Downloads page for your model.

This is one reason why I always Save all installers including copies of disk .iso's in my Downloads folder and back them up.

Thank you for all your responses so quickly. I am pretty sure there is a partition saved for the reinstallation. This wont be wiped with a clean install would it? I have emailed Sony and they have told me they cannot give me the programs, as its been mentioned before, this was part of the Vista Licence on the original install. Its ok, i can look for open source software if i cant get anywhere with this.

How to restore a Windows 7-based computer to a previous Windows installation by using the Windows.old folder


Recov partitions are unfortunately normally disabled by the new OS installation. See if you can access it by tapping the F-key given on the first BIOS screen, then try F8 to see if there is access to recovery.

Acer will send recov disks for free within first 90 days of purchase; others charge shipping.

If you really need that program, then my suggestion would be to recover your Vista installation, then boot from the Windows 7 installer and create a second partition to install Windows 7 which will give you a boot menu to choose at startup (which you can set timer on or even hide) for when you need to go into Vista.

You have access to one partition from the other, as well.

Thanks Barman. I always learn from you. I mentioned the Dell possibility on the strength of your comment and another poster here who always jumps in to correct bloatware assumptions re: Dell.

I am fascinated by the recov partition being able to boot just like the disk. Would this work with WIn7 backup image (which I keep in primary partition) or does it need to be .iso?