Reloading Win7 64 after Hard Drive Crash

You don't have to purchase Windows again, but you also can't get it from "[your] Dell account".

You can request replacement media here:

support.dell.com/.../backupcd_form

Or you can download and install with a "retail" copy, downloaded from Microsoft's online partner (Digital River), then activate with your Product Key (may require phone activation):

www.windows7hacker.com/.../download-retail-windows-7-iso-from-official-website

Hi Liquidgooey,

Welcome to the Dell Community,

Thank you for posting on Dell Community Forum. You will not be able to download/install Windows 7 from your Dell Account. Dell customers can request discs containing the operating system originally installed on their system, as well as the device drivers and utilities specific to the system configuration as it was originally shipped.

Requests are limited to one (1) set of backup discs per system purchased.

The discs requested must match the operating system that was factory installed on the original order.

Please note that Dell will provide you the most up-to-date Resource disc available, containing the latest drivers and diagnostic tools currently being shipped on new systems. Due to the frequent updates, this Resource disc may not have all the drivers needed for your specific system, especially if it is over one (1) year old.

Please use the below mentioned link for more details.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=52002&doclang=en&l=en&s=dhs

If you are considering an operating system reinstall without the OS Disc, please click on the below mentioned link for an alternative.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&docid=DSN_362066&isLegacy=true

Please reply to the post if you have any further queries.

Thanks & Regards

Dell_Aryan_V

Dell Social Media Responder

https://twitter.com/DellCares

http://www.facebook.com/Dell

Model of system?

No you cannot download Windows 7 from My Dell Downloads. I have been trying to get Dell to provide such a service and it is under review but it needs to be settled with Microsoft.

Ideally you should reinstall using Dell Reinstallation Media and as you are from the U.S. you can fill in a request form for one here.

However it is possible to download Windows 7 retail .isos from Digital River and use these for reinstallation. To use the retail .isos you need to have your 25 digit product key on your Windows COA (I am aware that these fade far to easily and have complained about this alot if it is unreadable than the Dell Reinstallation DVD is the only way to go) and use phone activation.

My two wikies take you through the installation process and provide the download links. The download links are to Digital River's servers. Digital River are Microsofts partner for online distribution of downloadable Microsoft products.

1. A Clean Install of Windows

2. Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Downloads