How can I redownload OEM version of windows back my laptop after accidentally wiping the pc

Ghazal Manfalouti 21 Reputation points
2023-01-03T17:01:44.497+00:00

I used a file shredder without experience and I believe I ended up deleting windows and probably its capability to redownload itself from the cloud (I was planning to perform a factory reset after using the file shredder).

But now I am stuck on the boot menu and none of the options to start it up work (assuming from the wipe).

Now I want to reinstall windows but as mentioned it is OEM copy which I do not have a product key for, nor a disc/usb to reintroduce the copy. The windows version can be seen connected to my Microsoft account when I sign into the microsoft website.

My laptop is a Lenono Thinkpad Yoga gen x2

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Other
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  1. Jordan Millama 1,386 Reputation points
    2023-01-03T17:17:50.853+00:00

    Download the required version of Windows and create Windows Installation media using a USB stick, software-download, put the USB in your laptop and turn it on, get to the boot menu and install Windows. Once installation is complete you should be able to sign-in with your Microsoft account which will activate your copy of Windows.

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    Please accept as an answer if this was helpful.


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  1. Michael Taylor 60,346 Reputation points
    2023-01-03T17:34:23.933+00:00

    Are you sure you wiped it? In OEM setups they partition the drive into your stuff (OS, data, etc) and a separate, hidden partition where the recovery media is stored. Unless you wiped the entire drive (including the partition table) then the recovery partition is still there. If Windows is bootable then go to Disk Manager and see if the partition exists. If you cannot boot to Windows then you'll need to boot into a temporary shell where you can see the partitions). Partition Magic is a tool I used before.

    If you need the recovery media then most OEMs have a download section where they provide the recovery media for you to redownload the OEM version . Just a quick google for Thinkpad yields this site.


  2. Docs 16,226 Reputation points
    2023-01-04T17:47:14.633+00:00

    A product key is needed for Windows 7 and 8.1.

    In comparison a product key is not needed for Windows 10 or 11 once the Windows operating system has updated.

    After an update licensing data is on Microsoft servers.

    Once the data is on Microsoft servers a clean install or drive replacement can be performed without a product key.

    To clean install Windows 10:

    1) Find a flash drive that you can format (> or = 8 GB)

    2) On a working Windows computer create a bootable Media Creation Tool (MCT) (Windows 10 iso:

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2376-create-bootable-usb-flash-drive-install-windows-10-a.html

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    3) Move the bootable flash drive to the applicable port on the problematic computer and boot to the flash drive

    https://www.disk-image.com/faq-bootmenu.htm

    4) Delete all partitions making an unallocated disk drive

    5) Perform a clean install:
    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

    6) Install drivers displayed on the Lenovo website

    7) Install applications

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    Please remember to vote and to mark the replies as answers if they help.

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