PC restore previous OS

[Ole Anderson]

I have been having problems on my 8 year old Dell Inspiron 1525 regarding the inability to complete Windows updates so in exasparation I loaded in my Win 7 disk and reloaded the OS, keeping my existing files. All well and good until it asked me for the key to register the program. Nowhere to be found. I could pay Microsoft $109 for a new key, not going to happen as I am on the verge of getting a new laptop anyway if this keeps up. So my question: Can I do a restore to get back to my previous "legit" OS? Of course, right now it keeps telling me I must have a pirated copy.

[Mike Lassiter]

isn't the code on the jacket or plastic the disk is protected by?

[Greg R Bradley]

If you bought it from Dell with Win7, it has the key on the computer by MS licensing requirements.

If it is really 8 years old it didn't come with Win7.

If you bought Win7 then the key is with the disk.

First step is where did the disk come from?

[Ralph Boumenot]

look on the bottom of the laptop that is usually where the MS key is.

[Kent Adams]

Ole, unless you can find the disk box that was in, I think you're toast without the help from MS itself. Because of the age of your computer, which is older than Win 7, its not the original operating system. See if there is a MS store near you, a real one, not a reseller. You might be better off copying all your files to an external hard disk and buying another computer without that key. If you buy a new computer, you should know that Windows 10 will update your computer whether you gave it permission or not, which is, in my opinion terrible because if you have 3rd party software, it may not be compatible with the updated OS. Maybe a good opportunity to switch to Mac? I made the switch 15 years ago over driver issues and a scanner I couldn't get to work on my then new Dell $3000 laptop. You can run all of the software for Windows in a Mac so you can have both operating systems if you need them. But, you'll still need a registered Windows disk with the key to load it on a Mac :(

[Lee Schierer]

If you buy a new computer, you should know that Windows 10 will update your computer whether you gave it permission or not, which is, in my opinion terrible because if you have 3rd party software, it may not be compatible with the updated OS. (

I purchased a new PC after windows 10 was out and I had to ask to upgrade to windows 10. So far other than a minor printer issue, I've had no problems with older software. My Windows 7 machine is still running windows 7 and it has never asked to upgrade to Windows 10.

[Myk Rian]

Does your hard drive have a restore partition? Boot from that and reinstall/repair.

[Brian Henderson]

Does your hard drive have a restore partition? Boot from that and reinstall/repair.

Even though a lot of computers do have a restore partition, all of them that I've seen will require you to re-enter your license code to reinstall. You can repair without it but not reinstall.

[Scott Donley]

Also, look in the battery compartment, I have seen that on a few laptops.

[Kent Adams]

Windows 10 just came out. I assume they will continue to update in the future. Developers had 2 years to make their apps work. They won't get that type of lead for service packs.

[Art Mann]

I have been having problems on my 8 year old Dell Inspiron 1525 regarding the inability to complete Windows updates so in exasparation I loaded in my Win 7 disk and reloaded the OS, keeping my existing files. All well and good until it asked me for the key to register the program. Nowhere to be found. I could pay Microsoft $109 for a new key, not going to happen as I am on the verge of getting a new laptop anyway if this keeps up. So my question: Can I do a restore to get back to my previous "legit" OS? Of course, right now it keeps telling me I must have a pirated copy.

According to Microsoft, you are trying to steal a copy of Windows 7 that you didn't pay for. They will not be anxious to help you out of your dilemma.

[Ole Anderson]

It came with vista, that key is on the bottom of the computer. 5 years ago I upgraded to 7, but misplaced the case with the number on it. I guess I am toast.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Try Magic Jelly Bean (https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/) and see if it can read the CD key used to install the Win 7 upgrade.

[Jerome Stanek]

Belarc adviser will tel you the keys