Recovery discs and W7 download quesions

[Loose rivets]

I created one when I purchased my Vaio. However, If I create a new one now - after years of updates - will those updates be in the newer backup disc?


In a similar vein:


If I download W7 and apply the key that I have on my existing but rather old OS discs, will the download be more up to date and obviate the need for so many updates?

[Saab Dastard]

1) no

2) possibly: MS do supply service packed versions of software to download. I've certainly been able to download Server 2008 R2 SP1 via Select. I don't know if it is the same with consumer versions of software, or if the key will be valid.

SD

[jamesdevice]

the key should work, but the image may be missing Sony optimised drivers one source of downloads are these, but the updates will not be included


http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso Win7 Home Premium x86

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso Win7 Home Premium x64

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso Win 7 Pro x86

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso Win 7 Pro x64

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso Win7 Ultimate x86

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso Win7 Utimate x64

Technet has updated versions of the disks available, but you have to be a subscriber to get those
I suspect there are newer download on both the Digital River and Amazon fulfillment sites, but I've yet to find them

[mixture]

I suspect there are newer download on both the Digital River and Amazon fulfillment sites, but I've yet to find them

I would strongly caution against looking anywhere other than the official sources.

[jamesdevice]

Agreed
However the Amazon and Digital River fulfillment sites are both "official" sources. I'm not aware of any others

[mixture]

For home users the search does indeed end there.

For Microsoft partners and business customers, there are various resources hosted by Microsoft.

But I can tell you they are not much more exciting, because all you will see are the RTM / GA releases .... all software updates still need to be applied as normal.

Its just the way Microsoft does things. For business users its not such a big deal because they'll be running an update server on their local network, so pulling a few GB of updates doesn't take long. Admittedly its a little bit more of a pain for the home user... but given the much smaller scale of a home deployment and the speed of a broadband connection its not too much of a big deal either.

[Loose rivets]

Thanks for the replies, and indeed the links.



This all came about when this morning I went to start Word 2007 in Vista. It said something for an instant - I think it was about another copy, not sure.

Anyway, it started installing Office again! I stopped it sharpish.

I can only think the installation of Office 2010 in D drive under W7 boot, somehow affected the installation. But I had assumed the boots were totally isolated OS entities.

So, that or coincidental failure. One never ceases to be perplexed.

I think I shall strip the partitions and only use W7. Word 2007 was the only reason I was keeping it on and the key is in London somewhere. Oh, it was nice to boot in Vista to help my UK pal. Imagine me giving advice to a computer user.