Re-installing clean (no bloatware) Win7 using the Key Sticker

I hope to get my W520 soon and I have a question.

The W520 comes with Windows 7 Professional 64 bit.

But I want to replace my HD with an SSD and start to install Windows 7 on the SSD from scratch. Is it possible to use the Windows 7 Serial sticker on the back of the laptop ? I mean after all I paid for it, just want to ditch the platter drive and put in a new SSD and have a clean install.

Thanks

 

Yes you can use the serial key on the sticker for your new Windows install, though you may need to reactivate the OS by phoning Microsoft which can be a bit inconvenient.

You could avoid this by backing up the OEM activation certificate using ABR or personally I use OPATool to reupload the Lenovo OEM certificate and then restore using the serial key from the sticker to activate the system (details of the OPATool is on my Clean Install guide).

 

If you have a Windows 7 media disk, even a retail one, Microsoft says you can, but you will have to use the telephone activation method.

Windows 7 OEM Key with a non-OEM disc - Microsoft Answers

Edit: Hearst beat me to it.

 

I did a clean install of Windows 7 Home Premium on my Ideapad and activated using the product key on the bottom of the computer. The standard online activation worked without a problem.

 

1) Download the Windows 7 Image legally here.

2) Run this tool to create a bootable image on a USB drive.

3) You should now have a USB with your Windows version extracted on it. Navigate to this USB in Windows Explorer and open up the file sources/ei.cfg with Notepad. Change Retail to OEM in the [Channel] section. Save and exit.

4) Run the installation normally, and when prompted, enter in the key found on your laptop.

 

I would have never thought of doing that. I may have to create a Windows 7 USB drive myself now.

 

Do you download this straight to your USB?

Do you download this first to your USB, then the windows 7 image?


How big should your usb be?

 

Thanks, that seems to me like the past way to do it.

But my only question is how can I get a real genuine CD/Image of a Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. I have seen a link posted with such an image, but it's origin is somewhat questionable.

I think it's ultra risky to download an .iso image of Win7 from a questionable source as it may contain god knows what trojans or stuff embedded into it. So that seems my main problem. Is there a way to download it from Microsoft or something ?

 

FYI, the links I provided are legal. Digital River is an official vendor for Microsoft.

The USB to DVD tool is from Microsoft.

Conclusion = no risk.

 

Download the image to your hard drive. Then install the tool. Run the tool and follow the instructions. It's pretty self explanatory.

4GB or more.