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Often when trying to fix someone else's computer - especially consumer machines - the operating system will need to be reinstalled, but the owner will have lost or never created the installation or recovery media.

How can the system be legally restored to the original functionality?

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I think this needs to be on superuser.com and voted to move it, but I will say that the media isn't important, the licence is. It's easier/cheaper to legally obtain new media than it is a new licence. You might think I'm splitting hairs but this is fundemental to solving your problem. – DJ Pon3 Oct 27 '10 at 22:09
Surely if the machine has a license sticker on it, it's legal to reinstall that version from your own media? – pjc50 Nov 12 '10 at 11:11
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Yes, but consumer machines often have special media. Often the license number on the sticker will not activate generic Windows media. Also, any pre-installed software that might have been on the machine will be lost. – Andrew Feb 14 '11 at 16:21
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migrated from serverfault.com Oct 27 '10 at 22:41

This question came from our site for system administrators and desktop support professionals.

2 Answers

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I keep Dell install disc for XP with sp3 handy, it will install on any OEM PC without using a key, it will not activate however, when it fails to activate you will be able to change the key, punch in the key on the COA sticker that is on the PC, it should activate now. This is not an easy way, you still have to find all the drivers, and customers will complain all their OEM pre-installed software is missing.

It is the responsibility of the owner to keep up with discs and keys, not yours.

On many PCs like Dell, HP, Acer, there is a recovery partition on the hard drive that can reload the OS clean. Go to the manufacturers website for instructions.

Here are some links for legal downloads of W7 iso images of install discs, I suggest you get copies of these for future use, you will still need a legal key to activate the software.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2010/04/28/download-windows-7-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit-direct-download-links/

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If you have activation problems with legitimate keys, here are the toll free Microsoft activation hotline numbers for the USA

XP 1-888-571-2048

Vista 1-866-740-1256

Windows 7 1-888-725-1047

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don't forget that you can use something like Jelly Bean or Belarc Advisor to find the OS Key, for reinstalling (if possible). +1 when I get more votes. – studiohack♦ Jan 19 '11 at 16:45
Just so others know, the key "keyfinders" will find is the OEM VLK key, which is different than the OEM single license key found on the COA sticker. This is a great idea for home built PCs and OEM, never hurts to do this. – Moab Jan 19 '11 at 16:50
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up vote 3 down vote

you can try contacting the manufacturer, sometimes they ask for a small fee to send a set of recovery dvds, some even do it for free. I guess it depends how old the computer in question is

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This is the most straightforward idea, but it has the disadvantage of being slow. Most manufacturers won't provide an image, but mail a disc. – Andrew Oct 28 '10 at 2:48
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