Clean OEM Windows 7 installation on Laptop

[Ignatius]

I'm thinking about getting a new laptop for home, probably a Toshiba, with Windows 7 Pro 64bit. I dislike all the extras that come bundled with laptops so would like to remove the hard drive (even before turning it on) and replace it with a comparable SATA II then do a clean installation of the same version of the OS from an OEM installation disk, using the key that will be stuck to the underside of the laptop.

 

I have three questions:

 

1. Will this contravene any licencing or other regulations?

 

2. Will the installation accept the 25-character key during the installation?

 

3. Will the online activation process work as normal?

 

I have heard of this all working without any problems with Windows XP but don't know if any of the procedures have changed with Windows 7. I know that I could go through the laborious process of uninstalling all the trial versions of the various software packages but I feel that my approach would be more straightforward. Finally, I would keep the original hard drive safe, just in case the laptop had to go back to the manufacturer under warranty.

 

Thanks in advance.

[newpersn]

burn the restore disc off the hard drive before swapping it. Shouldn't affect your windows licence as it checks with the BIOS.

 

My Acer did.

[Michael]

1. No, this is perfectly OK to do.

 

2. Yes, if you're using a like for like version.

 

3. Yes, activation will take place as normal.

[Ignatius]

Thank you for the comments. I just need to decide which laptop to buy now! I have it narrowed down to four.

[pritchardavid]

All ok to do

 

But to be honest you don't need to buy and put in another hard drive, just burn a recovery disc if it doesn't come with one. Or it might come with a recovery partition with has long as you don't delete that partition when you reload it, you will still be able to use the recovery partition to restore if ever needed.

[Arthur]

If you are going to buy another HDD, you might as well get an SSD instead.

 

Btw, this guide may help...

 

Blowing away bloatware: a guide to reinstalling Windows on a new PC « Ars Technica

[pritchardavid]

If you are going to buy another HDD, you might as well get an SSD instead.

 

Much agreed, along has the storage is big enough for him through.

[Ignatius]

I thought about an SSD but will look at the prices. I suppose another possibility is a 7200rpm rather than 5400rpm SATA II though I don't know how much difference that will really make. I understand that the 7200rpm takes more juice and runs hotter than a 5400rpm.

[rslulz]

If you are going to buy another HDD, you might as well get an SSD instead.

 

Btw, this guide may help...

 

Blowing away bloatware: a guide to reinstalling Windows on a new PC « Ars Technica

 

I couldn't agree more, and in continuation of what Arthur said there is a good freeware program to do this. The PC Decrapifier Wipes Unwanted Junk | The PC Decrapifier

 

 

The SSD would be night an day difference it's worth the money! 8second boot times ftw.