re-installing windows

[byteman99]

My uncle bought a that is loaded with so many pre-installed programs that is running way slower than it should be. He also loaded a different laguage patch so now I can't understand what im doing. The only thing I can think of now is to reformat the hard drive but the laptop did not come with a Windows 7 disk. Is there a way to re-install windows without using the disk?

edit: he has a laptop.

 

[BoomerD]

desktop or laptop?

Laptops often have a "restore" partition that can be accessed for reformatting, but you'l still need a key.

 

[byteman99]

Whoops should have said it in the beginning. It is a laptop.

 

[BoomerD]

You're still gonna need a license key.
IF the laptop hasn't been reformatted since it was new, it SHOULD have a partition that contains the necessary reformat/reinstall info.
Try searching with the laptop model and "reformat." You SHOULD get the necessary info.
Look on the bottom of the laptop for the Microsoft license.

 

[byteman99]

Yes the laptop has a license key at the bottom.
So do I use the windows search or is it online?

 

[BoomerD]

Try googling for something like:

"Dell Inspiron 678 laptop reformat "

I have a Sony Vaio, and IIRC, hitting the F8 key at boot brings me to the reformat/repair screen.