Installing Windows 7 OEM DVD using HP OEM Key

Hi, I'm looking for help with Microsoft's verification rules. Here's the situation:

I've just recently purchased an HP HPE-170f desktop computer, which came with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed (no DVD provided). I have the Windows 7 key for this pre-installed version of Wndows 7 (it is written on the side of my computer).

Of course, this computer comes loaded with bloatware, and I want to do a clean install of windows (I've tried deleting everything through the control panel, but there are still many remanants, and the computer is slow to start).

A family member has also recently purchased a PC - his is custom made with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. He has the the Windows 7 OEM DVD. I do not have his key. I'm wondering whether I can use his Windows 7 OEM DVD with my HP Windows 7 key to clean install Windows 7 from his DVD (both versions are 64-bit).

If I do this, will I be able to verify my Windows 7 software?

If this won't work, what other ways can I do a clean install?

Thanks for answering my question.

No, he had his computer made by a small custom computer manufacturer, so it's just regular Windows 7 64-bit OEM DVD.

Hello Sprucemoose,

If the family member's custom dvd is a "regular" win7 dvd, you can can clean install win7 on your computer subject to the following:

1) Make sure it is indeed a "regular" dvd and not an "OEM" dvd. OEM dvds are customized in special ways and will not work on your computer. They can be made to work by some editing (which i will not go into here) but best not to use those. If you are unsure, you can easily download a generic, regular dvd off the web and use that to clean install.

2) You will need to use the COA key to activate. Thats the key on the rainbow sticker at the back of your computer. Install the same edition of win7 that came preloaded on your machine. Since your hardware has not changed, the key should activate, otherwise you may need to make a 5 minute call to MS.

there is a utility that hp puts on thier computers that allow the user to make the OS dvd.

if the media matches what is on the rig and tied to the key, that media will work.

if the media is 64bit win7 professional and the key on the rig is for 64bit win7 home premoum, that key will not work with the media.

barryware said:

there is a utility that hp puts on thier computers that allow the user to make the OS dvd.

if the media matches what is on the rig and tied to the key, that media will work.

if the media is 64bit win7 professional and the key on the rig is for 64bit win7 home premoum, that key will not work with the media.

You're talking about the HP Recovery Manager which lets you create recovery dvds. Reinstalling from recovery dvds will activate windows offline (the OEM way) but will install all the HP bloatware that the OP wants to avoid.

Bill2 said:

barryware said:

there is a utility that hp puts on thier computers that allow the user to make the OS dvd.

if the media matches what is on the rig and tied to the key, that media will work.

if the media is 64bit win7 professional and the key on the rig is for 64bit win7 home premoum, that key will not work with the media.

You're talking about the HP Recovery Manager which lets you create recovery dvds. Reinstalling from recovery dvds will activate windows offline (the OEM way) but will install all the HP bloatware that the OP wants to avoid.

When I used mine (only once), at asked.. OS & drivers only, or a complete recovery, bloatware & all. I am paraphrasing..

You're lucky. What OEM brand do you have? HP is one of the worst IMO when it comes to bloatware.

I'm pretty sure Bill is right - if I make the recovery disks and attempt a reinstall, it's going to put all the bloatware back on my machine. I've read somewhere that you can actually modify the recovery image to remove all the bloatware programs, but I'm not sure if I'm that tech savvy.

I also know that companies like HP use a "factory image activation key"... which is different than the key printed on the side of the computer. I have been able to find out what this key is by using an utliity.

To answer Bill's previous question: I'm sure it's a generic OEM DVD (i.e., it's not one customized for Dell or Acer...etc., and it's also not a RETAIL Windows 7 DVD). It's the generic OEM DVD that small manufacturers can buy to use to preload Windows 7 on their custom computers.

It's an HP.. I created the restore disks.. It took 2 dvd's. It only allows the creation of the disks once. You can however use the recovery manager that uses the recovery partition on the hd instead of the disks.

When launching the recovery manager, a menu appears with several options.. repair, restore with & without affecting docuemnts, pics, etc.

If you select the install option that reformats your hd, you can select to install only the os and drivers. or.. you can do a complete restore that also included the pre-installed apps.. most of which are just trials limited by a number of days.