4 ms·
My Lenovo came with a recovery partition from which I could reinstall Windows. However, I suppose it would also automatically reinstall crapware, which is besid
by aylons 11y ago
My Lenovo came with a recovery partition from which I could reinstall Windows. However, I suppose it would also automatically reinstall crapware, which is beside the point.
The solution was to download an official Windows 8 copy from Microsoft's website - the Windows installer will get the license key from the EFI.
Not as good as a recovery disk, as you will need to download and install manually all drivers, but vetting everything is part of the point.
EDIT: for those looking, this is the link from where I downloaded the Windows 8 binary from Microsoft website: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-re...
- kbenson 11y agoI wasn't aware you could get vanilla windows install media for OEM license keys. Does this work with older windows versions as well? I have a Windows 7 Laptop that I would love to do this with,
- smwht 11y agoIt's a new feature with windows 8[1]. Unofficially you can install windows 7 using the OEM key (note this is not the key printed on the sticker on your laptop) and then activate it. [1] http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/save-yourself-from-your-oems-bad-decisions-with-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-1/ http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/02/save-yourself-from-yo...
- ams6110 11y agoHm, I thought the OEM license keys were not usable to install a retail version of Windows. Has it changed, or have I been wrong all along?
- smwht 11y agoWindows 8+ feature, see reply to kbenson above.