Corrine Administrator, Microsoft MVP, Security Analyst Staff member Joined Feb 22, 2012 Posts 12,091 Location Upstate, NY Jan 23, 2015 #1 It used to be that when you purchased a new PC you received a copy of the software along with it. Then that stopped. Many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. started charging extra for the software. Some would allow customers to purchase the software for a while and then that was no longer possible. If you have a Windows 7 computer and no recovery software, you can now do one of the following: Create a Windows 7 DVD for installation on a new hard drive Create a backup Windows 7 DVD Create a bootable USB drive with a copy of Windows 7 Instructions are available here: Microsoft Software Recovery.
It used to be that when you purchased a new PC you received a copy of the software along with it. Then that stopped. Many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer) such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. started charging extra for the software. Some would allow customers to purchase the software for a while and then that was no longer possible. If you have a Windows 7 computer and no recovery software, you can now do one of the following: Create a Windows 7 DVD for installation on a new hard drive Create a backup Windows 7 DVD Create a bootable USB drive with a copy of Windows 7 Instructions are available here: Microsoft Software Recovery.
Corrine Administrator, Microsoft MVP, Security Analyst Staff member Joined Feb 22, 2012 Posts 12,091 Location Upstate, NY Jan 23, 2015 #2 This may not work with OEM computers as I thought. Reading the website link, it refers to "retail": This site enables you to recover and install Microsoft software purchased through a retailer. (bold added) Click to expand... If anyone with an OEM machine tries it, please let us know the results.
This may not work with OEM computers as I thought. Reading the website link, it refers to "retail": This site enables you to recover and install Microsoft software purchased through a retailer. (bold added) Click to expand... If anyone with an OEM machine tries it, please let us know the results.
Digerati ModeratorHardware ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.) Staff member Joined Aug 28, 2012 Posts 4,923 Location Nebraska, USA Jan 24, 2015 #3 That link does not work for me with IE or FF, but does with Chrome and PM. ??? Anyway, just another reason to build your own computers and buy the disks separately. But of course, not possible with notebooks. The OEM computer and Windows should still allow the user to create a recovery disk. I don't know why it says that. And note you can buy OEM software from a retailer (like Newegg) so I don't think it applies to the "retail" license only. If you buy a Dell that comes with OEM software, Dell is the retailer. And as the "System Builder", they are responsible for 1 year of free Windows tech support. But of course, that means you must be lucky enough to get someone on the phone who actually knows what they are doing. But frankly, as a hardware guy (NOT - by any means - a Windows expert) I think the recovery disk method is too much a PITA - and not very reliable as a means for complete recovery. Instead, I would recommend using a decent image backup program instead. And then use it frequently so you don't end up having to recover to an image that is years behind.
That link does not work for me with IE or FF, but does with Chrome and PM. ??? Anyway, just another reason to build your own computers and buy the disks separately. But of course, not possible with notebooks. The OEM computer and Windows should still allow the user to create a recovery disk. I don't know why it says that. And note you can buy OEM software from a retailer (like Newegg) so I don't think it applies to the "retail" license only. If you buy a Dell that comes with OEM software, Dell is the retailer. And as the "System Builder", they are responsible for 1 year of free Windows tech support. But of course, that means you must be lucky enough to get someone on the phone who actually knows what they are doing. But frankly, as a hardware guy (NOT - by any means - a Windows expert) I think the recovery disk method is too much a PITA - and not very reliable as a means for complete recovery. Instead, I would recommend using a decent image backup program instead. And then use it frequently so you don't end up having to recover to an image that is years behind.
UnionThug New member Joined Mar 14, 2015 Posts 1 Location NJ USA Mar 14, 2015 #4 Corrine said: This may not work with OEM computers as I thought. Reading the website link, it refers to "retail": This site enables you to recover and install Microsoft software purchased through a retailer. (bold added) Click to expand... If anyone with an OEM machine tries it, please let us know the results. Click to expand... Hi, long time lurker, first time poster. :wave: Doesn't work with OEM-SLP key. :noidea:
Corrine said: This may not work with OEM computers as I thought. Reading the website link, it refers to "retail": This site enables you to recover and install Microsoft software purchased through a retailer. (bold added) Click to expand... If anyone with an OEM machine tries it, please let us know the results. Click to expand... Hi, long time lurker, first time poster. :wave: Doesn't work with OEM-SLP key. :noidea:
malletKATman Contributor Joined Feb 19, 2019 Posts 134 Jun 16, 2019 #5 I have used the instructions at Microsoft Software Recovery to build both a USB-bootable installation and a recovery memory stick that at least boot up and ask how to proceed with the advertised menus on my 10+ year old custom-built PC.
I have used the instructions at Microsoft Software Recovery to build both a USB-bootable installation and a recovery memory stick that at least boot up and ask how to proceed with the advertised menus on my 10+ year old custom-built PC.
malletKATman Contributor Joined Feb 19, 2019 Posts 134 Jun 16, 2019 #6 If you don't know your Windows 7 Product Key required to build these recovery/reload bootable volumes, the Speccy app at Download Speccy | Find your computer specs, free!. will find it for you if anything can. The Free version is quite sufficient to tell you this and a whole lot more about your hardware and software. Oops, I didn't read the Speccy output close enough. It reveals your S/N, not your Product Key, so (P.T.I.). Everything else I said about the product is true IMO. Last edited: Jun 16, 2019
If you don't know your Windows 7 Product Key required to build these recovery/reload bootable volumes, the Speccy app at Download Speccy | Find your computer specs, free!. will find it for you if anything can. The Free version is quite sufficient to tell you this and a whole lot more about your hardware and software. Oops, I didn't read the Speccy output close enough. It reveals your S/N, not your Product Key, so (P.T.I.). Everything else I said about the product is true IMO.