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Windows recovery disk questions
Just bought a new dell vostro laptop. It has windows 7 but came with windows 8 recovery disk. I'm going to keep windows 7. If I ever have to replace my hard drive, can I use my windows 8 recovery disk to install the windows 8 OS on it?
I've seen people comment on here that the recovery disks will NOT install the OS. However, the disk itself says on it "Use this disc only to reinstall the operating system on a dell computer. This disc is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers".
So can I use this disc to install windows 8 on a new hard drive, if I ever replace it?
If not, how can I get the correct disc to accomplish that, without needing to make my own recovery discs?
Philip_Yip
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October 3rd, 2015 03:00
You can download Windows 8.1 with Update 1 and make a Bootable USB:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-8-1-retail-and-oem-iso/
Installing from USB means you can enable UEFI and SecureBoot.
Note you can upgrade either the Windows 7 Professional install or Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/upgrading-to-windows-10/
Once you have made the system a Windows 10 Pro Device you may directly Clean Reinstall Windows 10 Pro onto a new SSD:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-windows-10-oem-and-retail-iso/
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows-10/windows-10-clean-reinstallation-via-bootable-usb-from-iso/