Restore pre-installed software from dos or bios

Question

I have a Dell OptiPlex 780 that came with Windows 7 pro OA. When I boot it up, it has WinXP on it. The other catch is there is an admin password that we do not know. I assume prior owner installed XP for some reason or swapped hard drives not sure how to tell that one.

What I need to just get it back to factory, I do not have a restore disk, nor do I have the computer hooked up to internet. So whatever I do, it has to be from a usb drive.

Any insight would help.

Thanks Darla

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

wahoodarla,

I do not think that this computer shipped with a factory restore image. You can start the computer and TAP the F8 key. Once the advanced options list appears you can see if Repair Your Computer is listed and select it. You also are going to need the admin password in order to proceed. If not, you will need to purchase Windows disk from the internet. To resolve the admin password you again will need to surf the internet for password recovery software. Dell does not have any generic Windows admin passwords.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Provided that it is not a BIOS password and only a Windows XP password.

Because there are no Windows 7 .isos available for clean installation of Windows 7 OEM its time for you to install Windows 10 Insider Preview 10130 64 Bit:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-10-technical-preview-iso/

Microsoft's representative Gabriel Aul has stated that there will be no cutoff for Windows 10 Insiders from reaching Windows 10 RTM (in any case the base Windows 7 OEM license is eligible for a free upgrade). Use the Windows Insider Preview as a stepping stone to get Windows 10 RTM out in July the 31st.

Note I recommend wiping the drive at least with DISKPART → CLEAN ALL before beginning the install:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/cleaning-up-a-drive-format-vs-secure-wipe-ssd-and-hdd/