Thinkpads Forum

I like the idea of making my computer factory stock with all of the Lenovo softare installed and running properly but I don't want to pay $50+ to buy the discs from Lenovo. Is there another way to get the discs? My computer is out of warranty btw.

However:

Do I really need the discs? Can't I just download all of the software and drivers from the Lenovo website after i install a generic copy of Win 7 64-bit Pro and get the same factory stock computer?


I need to downgrade from Win 10 to the original Win 7 64-bit Pro because of my privacy concerns. I bought it from E-bay a couple of weeks ago and just found you guys. This site ROCKS! I love all the info and Thinkpad fan atmosphere.

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Yes you could probably use a generic copy of W7 and spend some time downloading the programs and drivers you need. It won't be "factory stock" as I will explain in a minute but it should be functional. On the flip side, if you use the factory recovery disk set, you'll get almost the "factory stock" image but that also means you'll get the "bloatware" that comes with it. Again, spend some time deleting what you don't need and you'll be good to go.

You'll have a PM from me in a few minutes covering some other options....

rkawakami wrote:Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Yes you could probably use a generic copy of W7 and spend some time downloading the programs and drivers you need. It won't be "factory stock" as I will explain in a minute but it should be functional. On the flip side, if you use the factory recovery disk set, you'll get almost the "factory stock" image but that also means you'll get the "bloatware" that comes with it. Again, spend some time deleting what you don't need and you'll be good to go.

You'll have a PM from me in a few minutes covering some other options....

I received your pm. Thank you, man. It's awesome that you are doing this for me and the other members. You say "almost" the same as a factory image. What is the difference? Also, can I use a 32GB USB thumb drive instead of DVD discs?

Thank you, again.

It's my belief that what you get installed from a set of recovery disk may not be exactly what you get on the system if purchased new from the factory. I say that since I've never bought a brand new Thinkpad. What may differ is the version of some drivers/utilities or the bundled software apps; i.e., older versions that have since been updated and are available from Lenovo Support download page. It will be fully functional though.

Not sure if you can put all of the images onto a thumb drive and install from there. Perhaps somebody with some knowledge about this will stop by and answer.

I couldn't get the USB thumb drives to work with the recovery but the DVDs worked wonderfully. Thanks a million man.

rkawakami wrote:I say that since I've never bought a brand new Thinkpad.

I look at your signature, and that is impressive, man. Even more impressive because you never bought a new ThinkPad.

They're too expensive brand new . After spending close to $2000 on a Gateway laptop way-back-when, I vowed never to spend that much on another laptop. Of course now with my collection, I've exceeded that cost several times over. Hey, it's a hobby and keeps me off the streets .

yep dont bother

i always do the same thing... install win7, use the slic loader, then download the update and drivers setup and just click what you want to install

dont use shareit or password vault any of that nonsense, just the drivers and thinkvantage tools if you want them

i dont like to download drivers individually like other brands