redownloading my windows

EmcD123

I have just purchased a new laptop,its a refurbished one and comes with windows 7,I really don't want to have to use another windows computer and am going to put Ubuntu on it and delete windows. But I want to have the option of legally reinstalling the copy of win7 that came with it should I want to sell it again or if I absolutely need windows to run some specific program. How can I do this?

PropJoe10

There should be a sticker somewhere on the machine with the product key. If there isnt, you should be able to retrieve the product key by running something like this in Windows:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

solomafioso

Nirsoft will do it too as well as product keys for any other installed programs.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

EDIT: If you need an .iso (legally) of windows, you can get it from here.

http://www.techverse.net/download-windows-7-iso-x86-x64-microsofts-official-servers/

Be sure you know which version to download (home / professional, 32 or 64 bit etc)

EmcD123

And all I need is that product key?

mp22

Have a read here http://lifehacker.com/5403100/dual-boot-windows-7-and-ubuntu-in-perfect-harmony

EmcD123

mp22 wrote: »

Have a read here http://lifehacker.com/5403100/dual-boot-windows-7-and-ubuntu-in-perfect-harmony

I basically am a paranoid person and don't want to delete my windows until I'm absolutely sure that I can put it back on again should the need ever arise
I'm aware I can do this dual boot but to be honest I don't see any need at all. I have everything I'll ever need on Ubuntu ,I already use all the Linux programs on my old laptop anyway instead of the Microsoft ones. I was hoping to keep the dual boot clear in case I wanted it for something else

PropJoe10

EmcD123 wrote: »

I basically am a paranoid person and don't want to delete my windows until I'm absolutely sure that I can put it back on again should the need ever arise
I'm aware I can do this dual boot but to be honest I don't see any need at all. I have everything I'll ever need on Ubuntu ,I already use all the Linux programs on my old laptop anyway instead of the Microsoft ones. I was hoping to keep the dual boot clear in case I wanted it for something else

Yeah all you need is the product key. Once you have that, you can reinstall Windows at any time from an ISO file that you can get from the link above - during the reinstall, you'll be asked for the product key so you enter it then. Just be careful to download the correct version of Windows i.e Home Basic Home Premium, Ultimate etc, because the product key will only work with the version of Windows that its meant for. Once you have the product key you can just work away and install Ubuntu with peace of mind.

EmcD123

PropJoe10 wrote: »

Yeah all you need is the product key. Once you have that, you can reinstall Windows at any time from an ISO file that you can get from the link above - during the reinstall, you'll be asked for the product key so you enter it then. Just be careful to download the correct version of Windows i.e Home Basic Home Premium, Ultimate etc, because the product key will only work with the version of Windows that its meant for. Once you have the product key you can just work away and install Ubuntu with peace of mind.

Thanks for that. I needed the clarification

PropJoe10

EmcD123 wrote: »

Thanks for that. I needed the clarification

Sure. May I recommend Kubuntu if you're looking for a really nice Linux distro. Discovered the KDE desktop environment a while ago and absolutely love it. So customizable and easy to use.

EmcD123

Kubuntu is not ones I've looked at yet. So I'll check that out. I basically only looked at Ubuntu and mint.

PropJoe10

EmcD123 wrote: »

Kubuntu is not ones I've looked at yet. So I'll check that out. I basically only looked at Ubuntu and mint.

Both good choices. Mint and the Ubuntu family of operating systems are all based on Ubuntu but with different desktop environments to suit newer or older hardware. Lots of exploring out there to do