Benjamin Glass asks:
When you get a new computer these days, you don’t get a genuine Windows DVD with it–just some piece of junk they call a “system restore disk” (the only thing it restores is the junkware that came with your computer). Why don’t manufacturers include an actual disk anymore?
Browser: Chrome 22
System: Windows
Tagged: install from cd, installation disc, system restore, windows tips
System: Windows
Tagged: install from cd, installation disc, system restore, windows tips
19 Answers -
Jack Cola
October 10, 2012Some new laptops don’t even have a DVD drive – I know the ones I purchase do come with a disk, which is somewhat pointless.
They don’t come with a disk, because they don’t need too because all the data is stored on the computer, usually on a D:/ drive or recovery partition (see http://www.jackcola.org/blog/102-what-is-the-recovery-d-drive-on-my-computer)
If you would like to restore your computer, during startup you can change the boot option to run the recovery option. Depending on the manufacturer and the program, you have a few restore options:
-Complete format and resinstall
-Factory reset: restoring the computer to when you purchased it, including all software and drivers that it came with (usually the default option)
- Repair: try to repair Windows keeping your files intacted (but best to backup first)
- Your own backup point: sometimes the software allows you to generate your own backup that you can restore too.
Hope this helps.
Irshaad Abdool
October 10, 2012it is to prevent illegal use of these oem windows distribution.
thus, the windows files are saved in a reserved space on your hardisk and accessible only during the general system restore or factory settings roll-back
Bruce Epper
October 10, 2012It all boils down to one thing: cost. Manufacturers are trying to make it as cheap as possible to maximize their profits. If they included a genuine Windows installation disc with the machines, it would end up raising the cost of the machine due to what amounts to an addition “Windows tax” on the installation media. This is also why you get all of the “preinstalled” software and trialware with the systems.
Chee Yong Hsia
October 10, 2012Just to minimize the costs of the machine.
Arron Walker
October 10, 2012There are several reasons, as all described above. I personally do not trust a recovery partition on the same hard drive that’s actually running windows, so as soon as I realised I could, I made my own USB installer. http://www.pcworld.com/article/248995/how_to_install_windows_7_without_the_disc.html This link explains everything you need to know to make your own install DVD or USB. Good luck
Muo TechGuy
October 10, 2012The windows you get with a new PC is a heavily subsidized (ie, much cheaper than retail “genuine” copies) OEM version. That means it must come bundled with the machine, and you dont simply purchase a license for Windows – you have purchased a license for windows to be pre-installed at the time of manufacture, that’s all. Therefore they provide backup disks only to restore the original state of the PC, not for you to just go installing Windows anywhere you want.
Dave Rimmer
October 10, 2012If you are worried about Junkware then download this and run it, great little App – http://www.pcworld.com/article/247031/new_computer_clear_out_the_junkware.html
Harish Jonnalagadda
October 10, 2012Subsidization, I guess. I still don’t understand why new noebooks come with so much bloated software. i would not mind SOny Media Gallery if it was well done, but it is such a resource hog that I had to uninstall it on day one itself.
Benjamin Glass
October 10, 2012If I started an online petition to get the DVD’s back, would you guys/gals consider signing?
Most newer computers have the restore disk hidden on the computer’s hard drive as a virtual disk. The “system restore disk” accesses this info. You should only worry if your hard drive has a mechanical failure. It may be advisable to make a backup on a second drive with an application like Norton Ghost.
October 17, 2012Alex Perkins
October 10, 2012I think they expect you to got to their website to DL one.
Neelay Bamania
October 10, 2012Some people don’t use their disks even if they are given one and therefore some laptops don’t come with one. It’s good for the environment.
Félix S. De Jesús
October 11, 2012Because it’s more easy make a Restore Partition than record CD/DVD’s… Acer sells the Restore DVD’s for $40 each.
ATTENTION:
When You use the computer for the first time. RECORD THE RECOVERY DVD’S thru the program included. Most of the computers have that option.
James
October 11, 2012You can use a normal one if you want……..
dhanunjayarao chunduri
October 11, 2012it is to prevent illegal use of these oem windows distribution.
thus, the windows files are saved in a reserved space on your hardisk and accessible only during the general system restore or factory settings roll-back
Jim Chambers
October 11, 2012Most laptops give you the option of creating a set of system restore DVDs. However, many users don’t do this and then they get a computer virus or HDD crashes and its too late. Same for data backup.
Bodi Hemanth
October 11, 2012windows available with laptops is for low cost compare with it’s individual price. If they give you a dvd copy of windows you can also installs it another laptop or system when your laptop gone for a service. But windows don’t want to give you that access, this is the reason windows dvd dose n’t comes with laptop.
Jacob Mathew
October 12, 2012Because it is cheap for the manufacturers.They try to maximize their profits by knocking off little things now and then.
Raghav Gupta
October 15, 2012Its not required at all now.. With a click of a button you can restore to factory default. A partition is created in the disk for default OS.
Also now you cannot install on different PC’s with the disk
OK til tour HDd crashes or you want to upgrade the HDD
October 17, 2012Nathan Labbe
October 17, 2012Most OS manufacturers sell the OS to these computer makers on an OEM license which makes the Computer maker responsible for support