You can reuse your Windows 7 license key when installing Windows 7 from the same disk as you used for your Dell if (a) it was a retail version, and (b) you can convince Microsoft that the machine it was installed on is longer in use. So that's free.
Same for MS Office. Belarc Advisor would have been able to tell you the key, if you had run it. You can try to boot from the old disk in Safe Mode in some other PC. That might work enough for you to run Belarc. It's a small chance, but worth a try.
It makes some sense to save product keys you paid for. But that's too late now.
Kees
Hi
I had a Dell un-Inspiron. It came with Windows 8. I hated 8 so much I had it removed and Windows SEVEN was installed.
Long story, the Dell finally (thank God) gave up the ghost. Cat peed on the keyboard and the screen cracked after my step mother showed her ugly face.
I bought a 2nd hand HP Pavillion at a great price. It has frikking Windows 8 and the same **** with corners and sidebars that keep popping up. I do NOT WANT SHELL CONVERSIONS or any other "fix" I want WINDOWS SEVEN
I pulled the hard drive out the old laptop. I have managed to retrieve all my data and files.
Question. Can I not get rid of the Windows 8 and install the Windows Seven from the old hard-drive? And would I be able to recover MS Office that was on the old drive? I can't remember the product key and all that but it would save me plenty cash.
Please dudes and dudettes. If you can set me on the right track I will be grateful because I really am frustrated as sh0t. And I wont do Windows 10 either. It has to be SEVEN
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