Got a laptop in need of reset. Don't have windows 7 disk but do have windows 8 OEM disk. Is this possible?

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Hey guys! Just need a quick helping hand here. A friends laptop is messed up for example I can't even open regedit.exe and it is running really bad with viruses popping out of everywhere. I am going to reset it. However I don't have the disk it originally came with for Windows 7. However I do have a Windows 8 OEM disk which I used when I was building my own PC. The product key has been used once. However I was wondering if it is possible to use it again? I wanted to just run it past you guys because if I make a mistake I can't go back because I have no windows 7 disk. Good old Microsoft! Besides, assuming the laptop spec is ok, can I use the disk on the laptop (made by Toshiba by the way)? Thanks again

vrumor · Feb 20, 2015

No, he will need his own key for it to authenticate.

leo2kp · Feb 20, 2015

You can't use the same product key for two PCs, but you can get the Windows 7 key off the machine if you create a bootable HBCD (Hiren's Boot CD) thumb drive or CD (instructions come with the download), and you can download the Windows 7 ISO from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery by inputting the Product Key.

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Ok thanks, there is no activate later option or something is there? I used a windows 7 disk twice with same key and it worked on 2 machines?

vrumor · Feb 20, 2015

You can install it, itll say non-Genuine and be annoying until he inputs a legit key, and I dont think it lasts longer than 30 days? It may have changed, I dont use 8.

USAFRet · Feb 20, 2015

For Windows 8, it asks for the key during the installation. There is no '30 days'.

leo2kp · Feb 20, 2015

Yea, you might run in to problems getting security updates, popups requesting you to register it, and the fact that it's not legal

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Yeah true I don't particularly fancy a compromised version of windows 8. I am not sure if I still have the product key for windows 7 on the laptop as it came pre-installed. Where would I find the key? On the box? Actually scrap that I just found it on the bottom of the laptop.

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

So how do I create a bootable HBCD? I had a USB stick at the ready which is 16GB so I am guessing that is enough?

USAFRet · Feb 20, 2015

dude7691 :

Possibly install media from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

But I'm not sure this works with an OEM version. It will ask for the license key.

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Right I am going to enter the product key for W7 on the bottom of the laptop and report back what happens

Thanks all

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Ok guys it is saying that I need to contact the manufacture for recovery options because it was pre installed there :/

USAFRet · Feb 20, 2015

dude7691 :

Then you have 2 options:
Contact the manufacturer and buy their Recovery disks
or
Buy your own OS, whichever flavor you want.

Possible 3rd option:
Does the original Recovery partition still exist?

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Where would I find the recovery partition?

USAFRet · Feb 20, 2015

dude7691 :

Look in the user manual to find out how to invoke that process.
Generally, during boot up, some key combination.

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Ok will do, thanks

dude7691 · Feb 20, 2015

Ok guys I am just going to do a system restore to try to solve the issues I have been having. My friend is autistic and doesn't understand how he messes up the computer with viruses, changing windows settings, kernel settings e.t.c. So I will try my best to get this working. The actual error he has caused is that the User Profile Service service failed the logon

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