How to reset registry or windows 7 professional back to factory settings

Yea as long as it is an official windows cd you should be good.

Or official software cd.

Just type in command prompt

C:\Windows\System32\control.exe

recovery / reset pc.

You are asking about Windows 7.

It also depends on what license came with it.

If it belonged to a company and used Volume Licensing your hands will still be tied as that has to be re-activated on a regular basis and you can not do that.

You omit to mention that.

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Now if it was a normal OEM preinstalled licensed operating system on a Dell, HP, etc:

Here are the Key/s to press at Boot to start the manufacturer's reinstall process for the operating system (new condition).

Acer – Press Left Alt + F10 Keys.

Advent – Tap F10 until Starting System Recovery appears

Asus – Press F9

Dell – Press F8 which will bring up Advanced Boot Options

Dell Alienware:

eMachines: Press Left Alt Key + F10

Fujitsu – Press F8

Gateway: Press Alt + F10 Keys - As Acer owns them: press Left Alt + F10 Keys as per Acer eRecovery

HP – Press F11 repeatedly

Lenovo – Press F11

LG – Press F11

Packard Bell: Press and hold the ALT key while pressing repeatedly the F10 key. Release the keys when a message displays that Windows is loading files.

Samsung – Press F4

Sony Vaio – Tap F10 until the Edit Boot Options screen is displayed

Toshiba – Press 0 (zero)

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And if you do have a Manufacturer's Recovery Partition on your Hard Drive and you can Boot into Windows, you should be able to make and have your own Recovery Disks from it to reinstall the Operating System in case of Hard Drive failure.

Look under Programs > your Computer Manufacturer's name > then their System Tools or Recovery Software Headings for them, depending how it is worded.

If you can not find any reference to it, contact the Manufacturer for advice on how to make those Recovery Disks.

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You can borrow the exact same edition of Windows 7 Retail DVD and use your Product Key on the COA sticker to reinstall the operating system.

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Or you can use this for preinstalled OEM or Retail Licenses.

Use the Windows 7 (August 2018) download option

Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

Download: Windows ISO Downloader.exe

And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ISORecorder.html

You change the Boot Order in the BIOS to be able to boot from your installation media:

How to Boot Your Computer From a Disc or USB Drive

How to access Boot Menu:

https://neosmart.net/wiki/boot-usb-drive/

Then do a clean install:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

It may require that you use phone Activation.

"How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

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Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

"How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool"

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

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And this is very good and easy to use:

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

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Win7 support ended Jan 2020 and as of that date no updates of any type