win 7 clean install on new laptops?? can be done?

[msongs]

Hi,

new to the laptop scene and thinking bout getting one. All I hear is "no windows disc" and no "restore disc". You cannot reformat, you are stuck with what the manufacturer gives you. So the question is if I get a licensed win 7 disc can I do a reformat of the laptop and have on it only what I want? Eliminate all the OEM bloat and control. Seems like a laptop may not be worth the bother if I cannot reformat it when it needs it. Suggestions? Thanks!

Msongs

PS - thinking bout a laptop cuz I may be moving and the tower will be on a ship for a month lol

 

[richc46]

Yes you can and many do that.
It will be the cost of the new DVD and key.
You can do a clean install, format and you will not have any of that bloat.

 

[msongs]

and that won't affect functionality of the laptop?

like HP will explode if I do that lol

 

[DocBrown]

Does the laptop your looking at come with a DVD drive ?

 

[richc46]

As I said many at the forum have done it already and HP is still listed on the NY Stock Exchange.
There is dispute about this point, but some have said that if you borrow a DVD, same edition that you have,; using the key that is on the computer 25 digits, you can reinstall.
Again, I have never tried it.

 

[richc46]

Read this thread from Mcgyver on.
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/171362-window-genuine-question.html

 

[msongs]

ok cool I see windows 7 full version is now almost $200 dollars. when I first got a full version when it first came out seems like it was way less. And they wonder why it is pirated so much lol. well that's how it goes when you are the industry leader no need to offer better prices. thanks tho good to know I can get a laptop under control Maybe will have to go for a cheaper one to balance out the clean install tho. hmm decisions decisions.

 

[nitroman84]

As I said many at the forum have done it already and HP is still listed on the NY Stock Exchange.
There is dispute about this point, but some have said that if you borrow a DVD, same edition that you have,; using the key that is on the computer 25 digits, you can reinstall.
Again, I have never tried it.

I've done the same on my last two laptops. I bought the download version the day it was released for an old computer and continue to use it with the new license keys for a clean install. But with the thinkpad I use now I'm actually happy with the pre installed software. Some useful stuff if you can believe it.

 

[msongs]

would be nice to use my current full version on the laptop too

suppose that is possible?

 

[Kipper]

Might be a good idea to go to the site for the laptop and download all the current drivers for Win7 which ever version you are going to use on it.

I needed to do that for the webcam drivers, touchpad, and a couple of other hardwares in the dam thing. But in the end I was totally happy to go from vista 32 to Win7 pro 64 and put it on a new SSD.

 

[gregrocker]

It is an absolute waste to reinstall OEM WIn7 with a new Product Key when the laptop you purchase comes with a Win7 license worth at least $100 that you can reinstall for the life of the laptop using the Product Key on the COA sticker!

OEM's no longer issue the Install DVD so that they can enforce the factory-preinstalled bloatware which makes a fortune for their sponsors and makes up most of their profit margin. But when you use the Product Key on the COA sticker activation is easily done online directly with MS Activation servers so the OEM is cut out. And if you decide to go back to the Recovery Disks or partition, it will self-activate per usual as OEM-SLP.

You only need to find a clean copy retail Installation DVD for your version, or any other version which can be unlocked to burn an All-versions DVD or write a flash stick installer.

It is all explained in detail here: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[msongs]

sounds like this will work....

I have a full retail version win 7. So I just stick that in the dvd drive and run it, then enter the product key that comes with the laptop, and it will install and all will be well except for downloading windows updates and looking for drivers or any security softwares. Can it really be that simple? I know how to reformat my current win 7 PC.

 

[gregrocker]

If it is the same version Win7 - Basic, Home Premium, Pro, Ultimate. Otherwise unlock all versions following the step given in these tips to get a perfect OEM reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

The installers are all the same with some versions hidden. Only the key determines what can be activated.

 

[alphanumeric]

You should be able to re-install/clean install and use the product code on the sticker. Why pay twice for the OS unless you have to. I do all my installs from USB flash drives now. Its fast and simple, once the bootable drive is created.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

 

[theog]

You would need to install drivers & security software.

 

[nitroman84]

It is an absolute waste to reinstall OEM WIn7 with a new Product Key when the laptop you purchase comes with a Win7 license worth at least $100 that you can reinstall for the life of the laptop using the Product Key on the COA sticker!

OEM's no longer issue the Install DVD so that they can enforce the factory-preinstalled bloatware which makes a fortune for their sponsors and makes up most of their profit margin. But when you use the Product Key on the COA sticker activation is easily done online directly with MS Activation servers so the OEM is cut out. And if you decide to go back to the Recovery Disks or partition, it will self-activate per usual as OEM-SLP.

You only need to find a clean copy retail Installation DVD for your version, or any other version which can be unlocked to burn an All-versions DVD or write a flash stick installer.

It is all explained in detail here: Reinstalling Windows 7

Correct, after all you paid for the OS when purchasing the computer. On a side note, my current laptop was the same as any other I have ever purchased. I didn't even boot the original drive I just popped it out and threw in my trusty old SSD and performed a clean install straight away. About a month went by before my configuration addiction got the best of me and I broke something (or learned something) however you want to look at it. So as an experiment I just cloned the factory drive to my SSD and gave it a whirl. Come to find out all the bloat junk was not already installed I just deleted the installers for MS Office Starter and the like and already had the drivers & useful stuff there. This is the first business oriented computer I ever purchased so that may be the difference, I don't know. But any other has historically been loaded to the gills with useless garbage.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, Business computers are not preloaded with sponsors' bloatware because they charge more for them.

But most still have the useless factory utilities which have much better versions built into Win7.