System recovery files -hard drive replacement.

[hpgallo]

I had a hard drive failure (damaged) and after installing a new hard drive, I cannot find a way to download my original operating system onlined (or order the install CD).

All drivers are available online, but I need an installation file or CD to restore my PC to original.

Hope someone could help.

Thanks!

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

Your computer originally shipped with Windows 8, not Windows 10.

Fortunately, since you were running Windows 10, you were granted a "digital entitlement" to re-install Windows 10, at any time, at no cost to you.

Download Windows 10: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

When asked to enter the 25-character product-key, click "I do not have it".

Then, the first time that you connect to the Internet, Windows 10 will "activate" itself, leveraging your entitlement.

Note that connecting to the Internet will also cause Windows Update to run.

It will take a while and your computer's resources  (CPU, disk, network) to download the latest updates.

So, expect your computer to be "slow" until you reboot after Windows Update has completed.

[hpgallo]

Thank you for your quick reply and the great info for the windows 10 install, but I need the original installation CD or files. My problem is that I had to replace the hard drive, and I need to install my original system, even if it was windows 8.

Do you know how I can get the original boot files/ CD to restore my PC?

Thanks!

[mdklassen]

> My problem is that I had to replace the hard drive, and I need to install my original system, even if it was windows 8.

Why?

You were running Windows 10 before the disk-drive crash, why not "again" ?

That "downloadable" Windows 10 can be installed on an "empty" disk-drive.

[hpgallo]

Got it! I thought it would be an "update" version and not a full version.

Clear now. I will give it a try right away.

Thanks!!!

[mdklassen]

> not a full version

I did write "at no cost".

Anyway, welcome to this forum.

For each post that helped you, please click the purple/white "thumbs-up" icon.

For the "best" response, please click "Accept As Solution".

P.S. If you really want Windows 8, you might be able to purchase a copy from www.ComputerSurgeons.com