Removing preinstalled Windows on laptop and upgrade steps

mallen

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I am looking at getting a laptop and the ones I am looking for have Windows 8.1 installed. I have read that I can wipe the drive clean and reinstall. I would want to do this to remove all the extra software and partitions. But looking at the option on one laptop from HP they charge extra for a system recovery disc. Is this normal? If I have a Windows 8.1 Pro disc would I need that? And when Windows 10 comes out would I be able to upgrade? The last 3 versions I have had a desktop and just bought the upgrade discs. My thought was I would wipe the drive clean and install my disc and register it. Then when its done create a system repair disc. Are these the correct steps?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
You do not need to buy HP Factory Recovery Disc - You can create the HP Factory Recovery Media once you get into windows..

Create the factory recovery media - save it as a fall back recovery method - wipe the drive and install windows x

Once you wipe the drive any hopes of recovery other then re-installation are gone.. Unless you make system images..

Do not rely on windows system backups, 99% of the time they fail..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
An HP would have a recovery partition, say a D drive, which you can copy onto a USB stick and then delete. Also, any HP OEM software, like Drive Guard, Cool Sense, Cyberlink Media software, can be downloaded separately on the support site by model #
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
The recovery media from HP that you mention, won't do what you want. It will just put it back to the factory condition with all the same preinstalled apps and programs you have now. If you want, you can download install media from here, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help, as per, http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html. And do a clean install with it. That media will use your OEM embedded key automatically. All you have to do is match the correct version to what is installed now. Most likely 8.1 (Core) the non Pro version, which is referred to as just Windows 8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Thanks for all the replies. It helps me but then I have more questions. So if any computer manufacturer offers a restore CD I shouldn't buy it? I have a Windows 8 64 bit Pro as the last upgrade I used on my desktop. Then upgraded online when 8.1 came out. Say I buy a laptop with Windows 8 (not pro, not 64 bit) then I can copy the restore files to disc, wipe it clean and install using my * Pro 64 bit CD. I guess I am concerned about installing and then moving forward and getting in a situation where I can't upgrade to Windows 10 one day because I have this OEM version on the new laptop.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
So if any computer manufacturer offers a restore CD I shouldn't buy it?
No, you don't have to buy it but keep in mind that with a catastrophic drive failure you won't have the factory restore partition to fall back on. The discs you can create with the program included with the computer [different brands have different software] or the discs you can order can allow installing a new drive followed by restoring to original condition. The discs contain the necessary drivers and install them at the same time, eliminates downloading each as needed from the maker's site. I just had to order a set from Toshiba because the HDD failed and the client hadn't seen it necessary to make the discs when prompted but only $30 but labor charges will increase that quite a bit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WinXP, WinVista, Win7, Win8.1, Win10, Linux Mint 20
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2 Customs and 12 OEM/Brands
    CPU
    AMD and Intel
I just had to order a set from Toshiba because the HDD failed and the client hadn't seen it necessary to make the discs when prompted but only $30 but labor charges will increase that quite a bit.

It is always the labor charge that gets you.. LOL

Downloading is free and instant
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
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