Reinstalling Windows without the Original CD

bl3nd3r · 11-20-2007, 01:04 PM

I was just curious as to how computer repair places can reformat computers and reinstall windows for customers who don't have the disk but not charge them for a new version of Windows. Does anyone know exactly how they do this?

I have many times wanted to reformat a computer but couldn't because the computer came with Windows pre-installed and not with the actual disk.

Thanks for your help

v8 scimitar · 11-20-2007, 04:30 PM

All you need is the license key, the actual disc it was built with is irrelevant. You can also contact the system builder and they have to supply you with a means of re-installing the machine. This can be from CD's to a recovery partition so if there isn't a partition on your machine they have to give you a CD. You can also buy what's called a media pack from Microsoft for a few bucks if all else fails. This doesn't come with any licence, its just the OS.

bl3nd3r · 11-21-2007, 05:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by v8 scimitar

All you need is the license key, the actual disc it was built with is irrelevant. You can also contact the system builder and they have to supply you with a means of re-installing the machine. This can be from CD's to a recovery partition so if there isn't a partition on your machine they have to give you a CD. You can also buy what's called a media pack from Microsoft for a few bucks if all else fails. This doesn't come with any licence, its just the OS.

v8 scimitar. Thanks for all the information. I just had a question regarding the media pack and where to get it. I have been looking and haven't been able to find anything like it online. Do you know of any places that sells them? Thanks.

jumbodogs · 11-21-2007, 07:51 AM

If you have the license key you don't need to buy anything. Borrow someones CD and when it asks for the license key put yours in. If you change some hardware you might have to call M$ to activate it but thats it.

If you do go about doing this you might want to look at NLite to make your self a CD with your own license key so you don't have to do borrow that CD again.

http://www.nliteos.com/

DarquePervert · 11-21-2007, 08:17 AM

There are versions of the Windoze CDs that will not work with some license keys.
It's primarily retail versions with an OEM CD key and/or vice-versa, IIRC.