How to factory restore Windows 7 to prepare to sell laptop

Question

I have a laptop that came with Windows XP. I upgraded to Windows 7 when it came out, and am planning on selling the laptop. Unfortunately, I think the Windows 7 upgrade disc got accidentally thrown out when I was throwing some old software out.

I was planning on doing "Darik's Book and Nuke" to wipe everything, but then I would have no way to get Windows 7 back on it legally. Is there any way I can restore Windows 7 to a clean install, and then "wipe unused space" with a disk utility to protect my information?

I do have the Windows XP factory restore disc that came with the laptop, but it will obviously sell easier and probably for more with Windows 7 on it.

Any suggestions? Thank you.

Solution 1

You could contact Microsoft and order replacement Windows 7 media:

If you are in North America, the Microsoft Supplemental Parts team can help you obtain any of the following:

• Service packs on CD
• Replacements for Microsoft software or hardware
• Product media exchanges (CDs for DVDs or DVDs for CDs)
• Replacement product manuals

In the United States and Canada, you can reach the Microsoft Supplemental Parts team at the contact numbers that are listed here:

• United States: [phone], Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
• Canada: [phone], Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
• TTY customers: Contact Microsoft at [phone], Monday through Friday, 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time.

Also, as long as you have the valid key/license, you are free to use copies of disks you obtained from a 'less than reputable' source. It's not the best idea (and usually doesn't sell well), and MS might not support you (or your customer) if you call them with a problem installing from it.

Solution 2

Only a half answer, really, but Eraser can easily wipe the free unused space on your disk. You can even customize it beyond the default 1-pass of random data if you're really paranoid, but that's not necessary at all. I use it regularly in just this fashion, on Windows 7 no less.

Eraser can also securely erase files, so you can delete all your user data, program files, empty the temporary directory, etc. in a secure fashion. Of course, that's redundant if you're going to wipe the free space anyway...

Unfortunately, I don't know how to restore Windows 7 to a clean start, other than by painstakingly deleting everything manually (and then wiping the free space). Neither easy nor trivial, I know, but only method I know of.