Windows 7 Replacement CD

[dfs4]

I have misplaced my windows 7 home premium cd. I called microoft for a replacement cd and they are closed until monday. Is there anything I can do in the meantime until monday to install windows 7 32-bit? I have the product key.

 

[marsmimar]

You could search online for Windows 7 ISO direct download links (forum rules prohibit linking to the various sites), download the ISO to your desktop, and burn it to a DVD.

 

[theog]

Your spec's say Dell, Microsoft will not replace Dell disks.

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?


How to use Dell Recovery Partition,make Recovery Disks & how to order Recovery Disks.
Dell - Support

 

[Tarka Dal]

Is there something wrong with the present OS on your computer?
To do a complete re-install you WILL need the original disc from Dell.
You can phone Dell for a new disc.
Or if you prefer we can fix your OS that you have on the computer.

 

[dfs4]

new windows installation

I just installed windows 7 home premium 32-bit on my laptop. Since I lost my windows 7 cd. The installation file was from digital rivers.

I installed it and even though I have a product key, I didn't enter it. Now windows is working fine. I plan to enter the key sometime in the future. My question is if I don't enter the key and don't activate windows, what will happen? There is a 30 activation notice on system profile however.

 

[EvilOzzmess]

For future reference: Dell Factory Image Restore. There's no need with OEM systems to hunt down ISO files, replacement disks, or otherwise when the SHTF anymore. 99% of OEM system distributors put a hidden recovery partition onto the main system drive that contains an exact image of the system from the 'factory' (it will go back to exactly how it was when you first powered on if you restore the system with it). In fact, because of this, most of them don't even supply the OS, drivers and etc. on physical disks anymore.

Anyway, all you have to do to use that recovery option is to restart the system and access the Advanced Boot Options Menu (typically F8 - sometimes F12) and navigate your way into the "Repair your computer" option and then tell it to perform the Factory Image Restore from there (if it's not there, explore the options until you find anything with "Restore" in it). This in fact is my chosen method of restoring or else just plain resetting a system after a while because it essentially does the same thing as a "Clean Install" on custom-built systems, except it reinstalls all of the drivers and everything else for you so you don't have to deal with hunting them down either.

And this process works for virtually all OEM systems made within the last several years... Acer, Dell, HP etc.


But to answer your last question, yes... you do in fact need to validate your Windows 7 again by putting in the key (Start > right click on Computer > scroll down > Windows Activation > give it the key). Otherwise it will stop working until you do after those 30 days. Best to just get it over with.

 

[gregrocker]

Insert the key at Control Panel>System. As long as you installed your licensed version, it should activate.

The Dell Recovery partition may not run now that you clean reinstalled. You can test it to see if it will cue up, and if not recover the HD space when needed: Dell Restoring Your Computer´s Software to the Factory Settings

If you really want to preserve the Recov partition for use in the future, you can try restoring it's F8 hotlink which is normally overwritten by clean reinstall: Dell Recovery Partition - restoring F8 link

But something tells me you are like many tech enthusiasts who want the cleanest possible install. Tips for getting a perfect reinstall of factory OEM: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[Tarka Dal]

It's unlikely the key will work due to software licence constraints.

 

[gregrocker]

Please explain why the key won't work if/when a COA sticker exists with Win7 Product Key?

We are the leading site online for assisting to clean reinstall factory OEM via this method, helping thousands of users without failure.

If you have questions please ask them but don't provide misinformation.

 

[Tarka Dal]

When using a licence from a company like Dell, HP, Samsung etc. The key will not work with just any copy of windows 7 as we have found. OEM keys are specific to a company and their software does not work just anywhere.


Misinformation...Really.

 

[dfs4]

The product key did work since I had bought a windows 7 cd from microsoft and did a clean install with it. My laptop initially came with vista installed on it.

 

[theog]

Please explain why the key won't work if/when a COA sticker exists with Win7 Product Key?

We are the leading site online for assisting to clean reinstall factory OEM via this method, helping thousands of users without failure.

If you have questions please ask them but don't provide misinformation.

When using a licence from a company like Dell, HP, Samsung etc. The key will not work with just any copy of windows 7 as we have found. OEM keys are specific to a company and their software does not work just anywhere.


Misinformation...Really.

YES, Really.
As we are talking Dell in this thread.
The COA sticker key will work on a Dell only, the factory OEM-SLP activation method Product Key will only work with a Dell Recovery disk.
System Locked Preinstallation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[gregrocker]

These are two different methods of activating factory-preinstalled Windows: OEM-SLP is a file added to Recovery Disks which interacts with the BIOS to auto-activate upon reinstall. This is also known as Offline activation.

But if you use the Product Key on COA sticker, it changes to OEM-COA method of activation which is managed by MS Activation Servers, will normally activate online or manually, seldom requiring phone activation option.

You may use a retail Win7 installer for your version to reinstall and it will activate with the Product Key as OEM-COA above. This has been the case since Vista. When you own pre-installed Win7 you still own the OS for the life of the machine even if the manufacturer goes out of business.

The product key did work since I had bought a windows 7 cd from microsoft and did a clean install with it. My laptop initially came with vista installed on it.

Well, yes....if you use a Vista key on Win7 it will not work.