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Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
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Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
I purchased a used thinkpad T420 and the previous owner installed windows 10. I hate windows 10 so want to delete it. In the past I have used the win 7 pro x64 ISO which is no longer available. I do have another 420 pro x64 which I made recovery disks when new so I have those.
I used the recovery disk to overwrite windows 10 but it installed all the lenovo bloatware and simple tap, etc. I do not want those programs.
Is there any way to do a clean install with the recovery disks? Does anyone have an iso of this file they could upload? I know I can do a torrent installation but would not like to go that route.
I used the recovery disk to overwrite windows 10 but it installed all the lenovo bloatware and simple tap, etc. I do not want those programs.
Is there any way to do a clean install with the recovery disks? Does anyone have an iso of this file they could upload? I know I can do a torrent installation but would not like to go that route.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Recovery disks are just that: recovery of the previous (ex-factory) state.
Since you already have recovery disks, you can/should delete your recovery partition.
Uninstall/delete all your unwanted bloatware, then take an image and use that for future re-installs.
Since you already have recovery disks, you can/should delete your recovery partition.
Uninstall/delete all your unwanted bloatware, then take an image and use that for future re-installs.
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Thanks but that is not what I want to do. I have 2 T420's. One I just got used off ebay and came with windows 10 and I want to take it back to 7. I also have (since 2012) another T420 which I made recovery disks from. I did a clean install on the first (ebay) computer using the second computers disks and every thing worked fine except for the lenovo bloatware and apps like simple tap. Therefore I wanted to do a clean install. I called lenovo and they will sell me disks for $69 or a years worth of support for $199. No thanks.RealBlackStuff wrote:Recovery disks are just that: recovery of the previous (ex-factory) state.
Since you already have recovery disks, you can/should delete your recovery partition.
Uninstall/delete all your unwanted bloatware, then take an image and use that for future re-installs.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
If you don't (want to) use the recovery disks, you'll need to get a W7 COA/key from somewhere.
The one under the T420-battery only works with Lenovo-W7.
W7 can be downloaded for free, e.g. here: http://www.pcsteps.com/45-download-wind ... ally-free/
The one under the T420-battery only works with Lenovo-W7.
W7 can be downloaded for free, e.g. here: http://www.pcsteps.com/45-download-wind ... ally-free/
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
These folks sell legitimate keys for .iso installs: http://www.keysaleonline.com
I've purchased from them in the past. They're good to go.
I've purchased from them in the past. They're good to go.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
I have the key. It is the iso I need. The key is located under the battery and if I ever get an iso I will use the key I have for installation of Win 7.MikalE wrote:These folks sell legitimate keys for .iso installs: http://www.keysaleonline.com
I've purchased from them in the past. They're good to go.
I would rather not go the torrent route.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
I repeat: The one [key] under the T420-battery only works with Lenovo-W7.
It will NOT activate a standard non-Lenovo W7 version, legal or illegal!
It will NOT activate a standard non-Lenovo W7 version, legal or illegal!
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Well it did when I installed windows premium this summer for a friend. I had the iso and used the key under the battery. It works fine.RealBlackStuff wrote:I repeat: The one [key] under the T420-battery only works with Lenovo-W7.
It will NOT activate a standard non-Lenovo W7 version, legal or illegal!
it also worked when I installed a SSD in my husbands computer. I used an iso and the key under battery. It has worked fine for 3-4 years.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
If you give me a car insurance quote I can tell you how to get around your current thinking regarding activating Windows 7 using the existing key under the battery. I am speaking from experience.RealBlackStuff wrote:I repeat: The one [key] under the T420-battery only works with Lenovo-W7.
It will NOT activate a standard non-Lenovo W7 version, legal or illegal!
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
re: "clean install"
From your description, it sounds like you would like to (re)install a "retail" version of Windows 7. From my understanding those .ISOs are still available here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/softwar ... d/windows7
Per the download page, you need to have a valid COA and it will only allow access to the version of Windows the COA is for. It's also my understanding that the ones attached to the system by the factory should not work in this case but it won't hurt to give it a try. I haven't personally installed W7 using this method on any of my systems so I could be wrong.
Any "recovery" or "restore" disk set you get from Lenovo will have their "bloatware" on it. In those cases, the previous suggestion applies: install it, run Windows Update until all critical/high priority patches are applied, use Add/Remove Programs utility or the bloatware's own uninstall routine to get rid of it, install whatever software you normally use and once you're happy, make a complete system backup using a third-party backup/clone tool and use that image to recover from.
You will also have a PM from me in a few minutes.
From your description, it sounds like you would like to (re)install a "retail" version of Windows 7. From my understanding those .ISOs are still available here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/softwar ... d/windows7
Per the download page, you need to have a valid COA and it will only allow access to the version of Windows the COA is for. It's also my understanding that the ones attached to the system by the factory should not work in this case but it won't hurt to give it a try. I haven't personally installed W7 using this method on any of my systems so I could be wrong.
Any "recovery" or "restore" disk set you get from Lenovo will have their "bloatware" on it. In those cases, the previous suggestion applies: install it, run Windows Update until all critical/high priority patches are applied, use Add/Remove Programs utility or the bloatware's own uninstall routine to get rid of it, install whatever software you normally use and once you're happy, make a complete system backup using a third-party backup/clone tool and use that image to recover from.
You will also have a PM from me in a few minutes.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Ray, I tried your link and it works for the Win7 .iso download but it doesn't have an English version. There are 30 or more available languages but English is not an option.rkawakami wrote:re: "clean install"
From your description, it sounds like you would like to (re)install a "retail" version of Windows 7. From my understanding those .ISOs are still available here:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/softwar ... d/windows7
Per the download page, you need to have a valid COA and it will only allow access to the version of Windows the COA is for. It's also my understanding that the ones attached to the system by the factory should not work in this case but it won't hurt to give it a try. I haven't personally installed W7 using this method on any of my systems so I could be wrong.
Any "recovery" or "restore" disk set you get from Lenovo will have their "bloatware" on it. In those cases, the previous suggestion applies: install it, run Windows Update until all critical/high priority patches are applied, use Add/Remove Programs utility or the bloatware's own uninstall routine to get rid of it, install whatever software you normally use and once you're happy, make a complete system backup using a third-party backup/clone tool and use that image to recover from.
You will also have a PM from me in a few minutes.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Hans Gruber wrote:Ray, I tried your link and it works for the Win7 .iso download but it doesn't have an English version. There are 30 or more available languages but English is not an option.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Does Microsoft's Digital River site not work anymore? I've got a W7 x64 Pro ISO from them way back when, but haven't ever tested it. If you wait until next week when I'm on Thanksgiving Break, I could share via the cloud. Or maybe user TuuS might have one, I bought some Vista COAs from him and he supplied the Vista ISO, so he might also have some W7 ones lying around.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
All is not lost. Microsoft had the English version of Windows Premium 64bit for download. 3.06GB worth of .iso data.rkawakami wrote:Hans Gruber wrote:Ray, I tried your link and it works for the Win7 .iso download but it doesn't have an English version. There are 30 or more available languages but English is not an option.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
There's nothing wrong with the link I supplied earlier: http://www.pcsteps.com/45-download-wind ... ally-free/
Not every torrent is invested with vermin!
BTW, Windows Premium's full title is Windows Home Premium, not what folks here usually want...
Not every torrent is invested with vermin!
BTW, Windows Premium's full title is Windows Home Premium, not what folks here usually want...
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Here are a couple of links to Win 7 Pro 64 .iso:
http://downloads.jmay.us/Downloads/Windows7Prox64.aspx
http://softlay.net/operating-system/win ... 4-bit.html
http://downloads.jmay.us/Downloads/Windows7Prox64.aspx
http://softlay.net/operating-system/win ... 4-bit.html
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
As of a few months ago, that's an affirmative. Don't know the exact reason why MSFT took them offline.UMPC2024 wrote:Does Microsoft's Digital River site not work anymore?
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Ah schucks, I did a quick web search and found that it redirects to some home usage program. Anyways, I forgot to say that the ISO I have is an English version and that I didn't take down the md5-checksum when I downloaded it.
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Because they want you using Win 10 spyware.rkawakami wrote:As of a few months ago, that's an affirmative. Don't know the exact reason why MSFT took them offline.UMPC2024 wrote:Does Microsoft's Digital River site not work anymore?
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Second that.Because they want you using Win 10 spyware.
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Alright, here's the Windows 7 x64 Professional ISO in English.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... sp=sharing
Disclaimer:
I didn't get the md5-checksum when I originally got it.
Hopefully it's virus free, I scanned it before uploading with Avira and MalwareBytes.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id= ... sp=sharing
Disclaimer:
I didn't get the md5-checksum when I originally got it.
Hopefully it's virus free, I scanned it before uploading with Avira and MalwareBytes.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
If that's a bust, I have the factory recovery media (e.g. OS install disks and separate drivers/applications disks) for the T420 you can use to install a Lenovo OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro x86 or x64 and can either upload the ISOs or send you disks. You simply say "no" during recovery when it asks you to insert drivers and applications media and all it restores is the OS.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
It worked. I used an iso uploaded and the key under battery. I had a problem with activation but used the phone number they provided and it worked.RealBlackStuff wrote:I repeat: The one [key] under the T420-battery only works with Lenovo-W7.
It will NOT activate a standard non-Lenovo W7 version, legal or illegal!
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
If you downloaded that iso from theterminator93, then you used Lenovo-W7...
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
I don't know what all the fuss is about. Using the Lenovo recovery discs is easy (if a bit tedious). After that you just remove what you don't want.
Then you have a "clean" install that you can image and restore as needed.
Then you have a "clean" install that you can image and restore as needed.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
yup thanks got it from someone else. I needed the 7 pro not ultimate. I really would love to find the win 7 with service pack 1 included.perry4pc wrote:I you have lost the Lenovo recovery disk for Windows 7, its easy to get it in ISO format from any outer source, i have downloaded one from here [url]http://<deleted>/[/url] and it went well. But you need to have proper license key to activate, otherwise keep enjoying trial version only.
Admin edit: Removed URL from spammer's quote.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Before I waste hours getting nowhere, can you guys please advise me if I can create a recovery CD or flash drive image from my T420 and install onto the X230 I have just bought with blank HDD and SSD? The T420 has Win7Pro64 SP1 and both the T420 and X230 have OEM COA stickers for that version.
FWIW, I tried to order recovery media from Lenovo but the ordering webpage froze on me and I don't expect that to be a quick or promising route.
If that fails I could try to use the standard media as you covered earlier (I'll download later today) with the OEM COA and a phone call if necessary, but I feel the recovery image route sounds the most likely to succeed. I can deal with bloatware but I just need the installation.
FWIW, I tried to order recovery media from Lenovo but the ordering webpage froze on me and I don't expect that to be a quick or promising route.
If that fails I could try to use the standard media as you covered earlier (I'll download later today) with the OEM COA and a phone call if necessary, but I feel the recovery image route sounds the most likely to succeed. I can deal with bloatware but I just need the installation.
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Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
If you didn't create them already, then yes, you can create T420 recovery CDs, that will also work on your X230.
You'll need to update some drivers for the X230, but that's easy.
Before install, read this first: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=120270
Officially this creating is only possible once, but there are unofficial options: https://jchaven.wordpress.com/2013/08/3 ... novo-t530/
You'll need to update some drivers for the X230, but that's easy.
Before install, read this first: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=120270
Officially this creating is only possible once, but there are unofficial options: https://jchaven.wordpress.com/2013/08/3 ... novo-t530/
Lovely day for a Guinness! (The Real Black Stuff)
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Lenovo: X240, X250, T440p, T480, M900 Tiny.
PS: the old Boardroom website is still available on the Wayback Machine.
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
Thanks RBS, I'll let you know if that works. I have never created recovery disks but as I am not the original owner of the T420, someone else may have. However I have read elsewhere how to unlock more than one copy
http://superuser.com/questions/384658/w ... o-thinkpad
http://superuser.com/questions/384658/w ... o-thinkpad
Re: Clean Windows 7 install on Thinkpad T420 with recovery disks
All sorted. The new SSD took a while to arrive but installation on my X230 and activation was clean and easy:
1. Downloaded Win7 iso file, plus "Windows7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool-Installer-en-US.exe" from Microsoft
2. Copied ISO to blank USB drive with the MS tool to create a bootable drive (could have made a disk but why bother and the X230 would need an external optical drive) & insert into X230
3. Start up X230 - the boot process allows you to interrupt booting and select a different boot drive, no need to change BIOS settings
4. Install Windows (nice and fast with SSD), type in COA from under battery and be told that I have 3 days to activate
5. Find and install Ethernet driver, go through a few Windows Update cycles, download drivers package from Lenovo - could have manually installed drivers at this point but instead:
6. Download, install and run Lenovo System Update and let it update all drivers etc
7. Activate Windows: Computer-Properties-Windows activation, dialled the automated phone service, told it I have a volume license agreement, gave it my mobile number and received a link by SMS, went through activation codes as instructed and success
No need for recovery disks or original Lenovo Win7 CD - it all worked with a vanilla iso and the OEM COA under the battery. Thanks for the tips RBS and other guys.
1. Downloaded Win7 iso file, plus "Windows7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool-Installer-en-US.exe" from Microsoft
2. Copied ISO to blank USB drive with the MS tool to create a bootable drive (could have made a disk but why bother and the X230 would need an external optical drive) & insert into X230
3. Start up X230 - the boot process allows you to interrupt booting and select a different boot drive, no need to change BIOS settings
4. Install Windows (nice and fast with SSD), type in COA from under battery and be told that I have 3 days to activate
5. Find and install Ethernet driver, go through a few Windows Update cycles, download drivers package from Lenovo - could have manually installed drivers at this point but instead:
6. Download, install and run Lenovo System Update and let it update all drivers etc
7. Activate Windows: Computer-Properties-Windows activation, dialled the automated phone service, told it I have a volume license agreement, gave it my mobile number and received a link by SMS, went through activation codes as instructed and success
No need for recovery disks or original Lenovo Win7 CD - it all worked with a vanilla iso and the OEM COA under the battery. Thanks for the tips RBS and other guys.
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T420 bluetooth with windows 10?
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Last post by TPFanatic
Thu Jan 04, 2024 1:24 pm
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not able to install windows in t410
by Madmadytriesfixinghislap » Thu Nov 30, 2023 3:46 am » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 5 Replies
- 1885 Views
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Last post by David C
Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:45 pm
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Can't install Windows XP
by Gonzaleitor » Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:24 pm » in ThinkPad T40/T41/T42/T43 Series - 12 Replies
- 1212 Views
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Last post by Gonzaleitor
Sat Jan 27, 2024 1:18 pm
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You can no longer install Windows 10 with a 7/8 key
by mikemex » Fri Feb 02, 2024 11:14 pm » in Windows 10/11/etc. - 1 Replies
- 580 Views
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Last post by RealBlackStuff
Sat Feb 03, 2024 1:14 am
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