Windows 10: Unable to reset or recover Windows 10 using bootable USB drive

Yep. I think I just saw it yesterday too and was pretty floored by it! Also, when you get the Home Premium or Profession ISO for Windows 7, it actually has 4 editions in it. You unlock the 4 editions by deleting the ei.cfg file before burning it to a DVD or after creating a USB from the ISO file.

If you run the Windows 10 DISM /get-wiminfo command on the install.wim file in the sources folder, it will show you the 4 editions contained in the WIM file.

 

Without downloading it, IIRC the 32-bit DVD also had the STARTER edition on it too.

 

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.10586.0

Details for image : G:\sources\install.wim

Index : 1
Name : Windows 7 HOMEBASIC
Description : Windows 7 HOMEBASIC
Size : 11,710,161,360 bytes

Index : 2
Name : Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM
Description : Windows 7 HOMEPREMIUM
Size : 12,222,587,449 bytes

Index : 3
Name : Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL
Description : Windows 7 PROFESSIONAL
Size : 12,122,886,417 bytes

Index : 4
Name : Windows 7 ULTIMATE
Description : Windows 7 ULTIMATE
Size : 12,285,492,779 bytes

That's the 64-bit ISO file.

 

I will try this today. Thanks for your feedback! *Smile

 

Thanks for your help. I didn't back anything up because I didn't need anything on the laptop, I wanted a fresh start with it. I should have created a disk image, indeed!

I have a Windows Vista CD... would there be any point of installing this so I could at least view partitions, etc.?

 

No point in installing Vista. You can see the partition info if you select the custom install method when you boot from either the Windows 7 or Windows 10 installation DVD/USB. To do a completely clean install, select custom install, delete every partition shown on the hard drive and select just the unallocated space to install to.

 

@jfrench99

If you plan for a clean reinstall, feel free to ignore my earlier post. Download Windows 10 And install it. It will be the easier fix to your issue.*Arrow Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums[/b]
As the laptop has already obtained the digital entitlement, you may skip when it will ask for a product key. All will be done.

 

Hi there, I am at this again. *Smile

This may be a no-brainer question, but when I copy the JavaScript, do I copy everything in the dialog box, or just the characters in blue?

Also, I am getting privacy connection errors when trying to access techjourney.net. I'm working off an old Windows desktop here, and I'm wondering if this is just an issue with this machine. Are you able to access the site today?

 

check against this screenshot for the highlighted script from the address in the browser address bar:





note that there is a youtube link to instructions in the comments(//...//) section at the bottom. good luck!
Alternatively see this webpage:

Download Official ISOs of Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 legally and for free - TechFleece

 

Wow! I am impressed! Thanks!

Now, which version of Windows 7 would be best to download? I see several versions of each. Home Premium was originally on the laptop, but I'm not sure what the acronyms after each title mean.

Again, thank you!

 

Is there a sticker on the laptop with a Microsoft Certificate Of Authenticity, and a product code?

If on the laptop base it may be rather worn, if inside the battery compartment, cleaner & easier to read. However these can usually be deciphered with a lens and viewed at an angle from the light. photographing the product key with a mobile phone camera on a macro focus setting may be easier to read, but don't ever post the product key online!

You will need to download Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, and I'm guessing 64-bit and I'm also guessing English because you have not mentioned that you need a French version. 64-bit with 4GB RAM installed on the machine - can you confirm this - for instance, was the Windows 10 you upgraded to, 64 or 32 bit?
Be in touch tomorrow.