Restore windows 8.1 missing backup dongle

Question

Hi,

I own an Inspiron 11 3148 and I am currently running Ubuntu Linux on it.

It originally shipped with Windows 8.1, which I upgraded to Windows 10 some time during the summer. However, it became a serious system hog so I decided to ditch it for a lighter Linux OS I had gotten on with in the past. I am now looking to create a windows partition, but I am missing my purple system restore dongle.

My laptop is unfortunately out of warranty, and I would like to know how I would go about getting a replacement dongle so that I can restore windows 8.1 to my laptop.

Any help will be much appreciated.

Cheers

Dan

DELL-Jesse L · Answer

DRewcas                                                                                      You can search the internet an possibly find one. You can also contact the Dell Spare Parts Department at 1-877-717-3355 to purchase a dongle.

Gyzmologist · Answer

I run Linux Mint Mate on my M3800 (I don't like Ubuntu), and Windows XP, 7, 8.1, and 10 as VirtualBox VMs. In my opinion this is the best way to run Windows. But, to create a Windows virtual machine you need a retail copy of Windows. An OEM version like the one shipped with your laptop won't work because it looks for information hidden in the firmware during installation, which is not visible to the VM.

Gyz

Windows General

Restore windows 8.1 missing backup dongle

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