4 ms·

I've reinstalled Windows on Dell computers for friends that didn't have the discs. I just called Dell, and they mailed me a plain Windows install disc for free.

I've reinstalled Windows on Dell computers for friends that didn't have the discs. I just called Dell, and they mailed me a plain Windows install disc for free. Awesome! I'm not sure if they still do that. With HP, I wasn't even able to pay for an install disc of any sort, and since the recovery portion of the HD was gone I had to buy a copy of Windows. I'll never buy an HP computer for this reason.

pasbesoin 16y ago
I'll add that that disk was actually stolen in a burglary. When I subsequently needed to reinstall, a friend burned a copy of his XP Pro disk and mailed it. In combination with the code on the license sticker on the machine, this worked fine. (I'm hesitant to download an image from an unknown source.) I don't know about Windows 7 -- I seem to recall reading that installation disks for it work somewhat differently, but I don't recall the details.
- wewyor 16y ago
  If you look you can get the windows 7 isos from microsofts' servers (or in this case their distribution network through digital river). These have worked for my OEM licenses, XP though I remember you needed to use the disk with the correct service pack to install with your software key. (A sp1 key wouldn't work with a sp2 disk and vica versa.)
  - calloc 16y ago
    Links? I'd definitely be interested in this seeing as how I just bought a Lenovo and want to wipe it.
    - wewyor 16y ago
      google: windows 7 iso (first result) (mydigitallife) The links that say msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent are the same as when you buy online (at least when I bought my win 7 professional license for my desktop the iso linked is the same as the one I downloaded). Those are probably the only ones I would trust, make sure you are indeed going to digitalrivercontent website, download appropriate language and version/arch (prof, home prem 64 or 32)
      - pasbesoin 16y ago
        Does this still apply? http://www.windowsvalley.com/unlock-all-editions-from-windows-7-iso-image-x86-and-x64/ http://www.windowsvalley.com/unlock-all-editions-from-window... To get all editions- 4. Just delete the file and finally create the bootable ISO and burn your unlocked disc.
        sid0 16y ago
        Yes, that should work.
      - pasbesoin 16y ago
        I believe the links on that page (also cited by a few other pages I encountered) are pre-SP1. Does anyone know of comparable links for ISO's that have SP1 incorporated (which is what I assume is now shipping with new PC's). In my case, I'm in the position of occasionally needing to support others who have e.g. Win 7 (most recently, actually, someone with Vista). Sometimes, it's simplest to simply back up their data and re-install. But I may need to supply an installation disk; even if they have one, part of the solution may be installing from a disk minus all the crapware. I don't do this work regularly, so I'm not part of a community that's constantly, physically swapping disks and utilities and whatnot.
    - aquinn 16y ago
      Just installed Windows 7 on my desktop using the key from my laptop I wasn't using and this ISO. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/have-windows-7-upgrade-key-but-no-disc-or/fd811149-7664-446d-8209-a8115a1a4ca1 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-w...

pasbesoin 16y ago

I'll add that that disk was actually stolen in a burglary. When I subsequently needed to reinstall, a friend burned a copy of his XP Pro disk and mailed it. In combination with the code on the license sticker on the machine, this worked fine. (I'm hesitant to download an image from an unknown source.) I don't know about Windows 7 -- I seem to recall reading that installation disks for it work somewhat differently, but I don't recall the details.

wewyor 16y ago
If you look you can get the windows 7 isos from microsofts' servers (or in this case their distribution network through digital river). These have worked for my OEM licenses, XP though I remember you needed to use the disk with the correct service pack to install with your software key. (A sp1 key wouldn't work with a sp2 disk and vica versa.)
- calloc 16y ago
  Links? I'd definitely be interested in this seeing as how I just bought a Lenovo and want to wipe it.
  - wewyor 16y ago
    google: windows 7 iso (first result) (mydigitallife) The links that say msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent are the same as when you buy online (at least when I bought my win 7 professional license for my desktop the iso linked is the same as the one I downloaded). Those are probably the only ones I would trust, make sure you are indeed going to digitalrivercontent website, download appropriate language and version/arch (prof, home prem 64 or 32)
    - pasbesoin 16y ago
      Does this still apply? http://www.windowsvalley.com/unlock-all-editions-from-windows-7-iso-image-x86-and-x64/ http://www.windowsvalley.com/unlock-all-editions-from-window... To get all editions- 4. Just delete the file and finally create the bootable ISO and burn your unlocked disc.
      - sid0 16y ago
        Yes, that should work.
    - pasbesoin 16y ago
      I believe the links on that page (also cited by a few other pages I encountered) are pre-SP1. Does anyone know of comparable links for ISO's that have SP1 incorporated (which is what I assume is now shipping with new PC's). In my case, I'm in the position of occasionally needing to support others who have e.g. Win 7 (most recently, actually, someone with Vista). Sometimes, it's simplest to simply back up their data and re-install. But I may need to supply an installation disk; even if they have one, part of the solution may be installing from a disk minus all the crapware. I don't do this work regularly, so I'm not part of a community that's constantly, physically swapping disks and utilities and whatnot.
  - aquinn 16y ago
    Just installed Windows 7 on my desktop using the key from my laptop I wasn't using and this ISO. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/have-windows-7-upgrade-key-but-no-disc-or/fd811149-7664-446d-8209-a8115a1a4ca1 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-w...