Windows 7 reinstallation

[Mike_GM]

I have an elitebook 8740w which came with windows 7 professional x32 preinstalled, but it didn't come with a windows dvd.

My question is if I can take a clean copy of windows 7 and install it on my laptop using the oem license that came with it.

[DavidPK · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes you can do this as long as the retail disc you use is also for Windows 7 Professional 32bit.

As the activation process will recognise you are using an OEM key, you will need to activate the OS using the 'Phone Method' detailed in the link below.

http://www.kodyaz.com/articles/how-to-activate-windows-7-by-phone.aspx

Regards,

DP-K

[erico]

I highly recommend that you create  Recovery media in the form of DVD media or USB thumbdrive. The recovery media is your copy of the Operating system, drivers and bundled software that you paid for when you purchased your HP notebook.

You can use the recovery manager to reinstall Windows without all of the HP software and other bundled software that were installed on it originally. This is done by selecting a minimal install recovery. If this is what you are looking to achieve then it is a better option. This way you still have the recovery partition in place as a plan "B" in case of an emergency.