Help reinstalling Windows

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firehawk

Veteran
I want to do a fresh OS install on an existing computer already running Win7 but I don't have my Win7 Pro 64 Disc. My computer does have the windows sticker stuck on the side of the case with the product key.

I also have a windows 7 disc that I bought and installed on a different computer I am still using.
And I have a OE system builder windows 7 disc I bought that I never used on any computer.

Can I install Windows from one of those discs and use my Windows 7 product key from the sticker.

Or is there a better way? I need Windows 7 (not 10) due to hardware and software so I want to set the machine back up exactly how it is now except with a fresh install of everything
 
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Check for a Windows.old partition on the HDD - if it's there, you should be able to restore from that. If not, as long as the disk(s) you have are the same SKU as the one that you have a key for, you should be able to use them without issue.
 
Thank you. I do not see a Windows.old partition on the c: drive.
The numbers on the Windows install DVDs are all different and I bought them many years apart. So I am not sure what you mean by having the same SKU as it appears they do not.
Tim Sewell said:
Check for a Windows.old partition on the HDD - if it's there, you should be able to restore from that. If not, as long as the disk(s) you have are the same SKU as the one that you have a key for, you should be able to use them without issue.
Click to expand...
 
Can I reinstall using my unused or already used OEM dvds and once windows installs go to change product key and enter in my original product key off the sticker on my computer? Would that work?
 
Might do. By 'the same SKUs' I mean that if your key is for, say, Windows Home, you'll only be able to use a Windows Home DVD (I seem to recall that from 10's introduction it was the same install package for all versions, but I think with 7 they were still separate. You can also download images for old versions, although you'd have to do a Google search to find them.
 
Tim Sewell said:
Might do. By 'the same SKUs' I mean that if your key is for, say, Windows Home, you'll only be able to use a Windows Home DVD (I seem to recall that from 10's introduction it was the same install package for all versions, but I think with 7 they were still separate. You can also download images for old versions, although you'd have to do a Google search to find them.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Yes my OEM install disks are all for Windows 7 Pro 64, not home or ultimate. And that is the version that came pre-installed on the computer also.
I think I have a plan:
Either run the OEM install disk with no key and then enter my key off my case sticker after install...
or run the OEM install disk and enter my key off my case during install.

From research it appears that Windows 7 doesn't have any keys saved to the disk or linked to BIOS \ UEFI. So it seems the disc is just the install medium and the key entry makes it unique
 
When I tried to reinstall windows 7 I end up up with it running but when I authenticated I got a windows 10 update box, which installed ten, and then verified? No idea how and why but ten is now on all my computers and I have not paid for any of them?
 
paulears said:
When I tried to reinstall windows 7 I end up up with it running but when I authenticated I got a windows 10 update box, which installed ten, and then verified? No idea how and why but ten is now on all my computers and I have not paid for any of them?
Click to expand...

that's interesting, they discontinued the free upgrade program a long time ago afaik. also been over a year past Microsoft providing Win7 updates and support.

unless you did the free upgrade to 10 a long time ago and forgot, I would be wondering if there was a authentic connection to windows update happening
 
Yes that was my understanding too. I do know that I followed an Internet forum suggested link. On one computer I had to do the awful phone authentication but it worked. All on ten and all authenticated.
 
firehawk said:
Thank you. Yes my OEM install disks are all for Windows 7 Pro 64, not home or ultimate. And that is the version that came pre-installed on the computer also cara install windows 10
I think I have a plan:
Either run the OEM install disk with no key and then enter my key off my case sticker after install...
or run the OEM install disk and enter my key off my case during install.

From research it appears that Windows 7 doesn't have any keys saved to the disk or linked to BIOS \ UEFI. So it seems the disc is just the install medium and the key entry makes it unique
Click to expand...

In my experience i cannot enter the retail key to OEM disk but success to enter OEM key to OEM disk. Since 01/14/2020 the windows 7 official download page or recovery page is terminated by Microsoft so we cannot download the official disc with the right key from Microsoft page. You can try to install it by using your OEM disk but don't forget to backup your partition.
 
Thanks everyone. I installed Win7 and authenticated it but it never worked right. It seemed to be missing some C++ files and no updates whatsover would work. Autodesk software would not even begin to install for some reason even though it installed and worked fine before on Win7. I fought with it a while and then got really sick and then my autodesk license expired so I can't likely re-activate again which was the reason I was trying to do all this now.

The good news is that the old original installation of Win7 from 2013 seems to work well so I guess I'll just stick it out for a few more years. I was hoping for a clean and maybe faster re-install but oh well. At least I don't have to deal with re-installing a hundred other peices of software again
 
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