Reinstalling Windows on Acer Laptop

StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 19:32
Last edited 16/11/2021 - 19:33

Maybe I'm just old and have not moved with the times.

I want to re-install Windows on my Acer Spin 3 SP314-54N

For my older laptops, I'd go to the manufacturer's support page, download the ISO and create an image onto a USB to boot from.

This is the reply I received from Acer with regards to a fresh installation:

Acer Computers are injected with an operating system by our manufacturing technicians as well as our repair technicians at our repair centre. We do not have the actual key pin of the windows operating system nor a recovery media for reinstalling Windows OS as the the operating system is injected to the device's BIOS.

We can have it booked for repair at our repair centre and our technician will provide you a quotation for the cost of repair once they finished assessing the unit upon arrival. Also, a $50 Assessment fee will be charged for discontinued or aborted repairs to cover for the courier and assessment charges.

Basically I have to pay for the privilege to use the software/hardware that I purchased.

Is this even legal? Is anyone able to assist me in my quest to enable me to refresh my laptop?

Computing Operating System

Comments

  • Hybroid on 16/11/2021 - 19:34
    +2

    Windows OS as the the operating system is injected to the device's BIOS.

    Load of BS. What OS are you on? There are ways to try and find your Windows key (most likely volume key but should still work) and then you can install a clean legit copy with none of the Acer bloatware.

    • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 19:35

      Yea. Basically I want to call them out.

      What I really want to know is if what they are claiming is even legal and what is the best way to publicly shame them

      • Hybroid on 16/11/2021 - 19:38
        +3

        What they've responded with is unhelpful, but unless you purchased your own license copy of Windows with the laptop, then they're not obliged to share their volume license key with you. The key may well be embedded into BIOS, but not the OS itself.

        Try using something like this: https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/ or https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html#Dow…

        • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 19:42

          Thanks. This is for my kids school laptop.
          Decided to forgo the insurance and only pay a third of the schools asking price for the same hardware.

          • Hybroid on 16/11/2021 - 19:43
            +1

            @StevieRay: A clean reset/re-install through Windows itself may be the best option as mentioned below.

      • AndyC1 on 16/11/2021 - 20:23

        If you want to call them out then you need to produce more docs than you have time for and then give them to someone in the government who cares about it to do something.

        Download the Window 10 ISO from MS servers and reinstall it, but before this run one of the Windows key extractors to get the key from your existing install.

        • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 20:49

          I thought it was akin to when warranty was voided if you opened a prebuilt PC case.

          • AndyC1 on 17/11/2021 - 08:59

            @StevieRay: No, so long as you use the keys that either came with the PC or installed in the BIOS so Windows self activates (this is probably the case with Acer).

    • HairyChickens on 16/11/2021 - 19:44
      +3

      I think what they meant is that the Windows key is baked onto the BIOS so it should auto activate. (The repair is bs don't waste your money)

      Also, there should be a way to find your current key via CMD I think it is "wmic path" something like that…. Not too sure if it will work during activation, never tried.

    • HeWhoKnows on 17/11/2021 - 11:11

      Actually The factory image is injected into the Recovery Partition
      It’s accessible via a certain key at Start up. ie via the BIOS.
      So it’s not BS

      Alternatively if the laptop has already been upgraded to Win 10 OP can simply download the latest version from Microsoft and install it.

      I think OP got just got his words mixed up

  • trustnoone on 16/11/2021 - 19:35
    +3

    Click on Start > Type "Reset" > Click on "Reset this PC" > Click on "Reset this PC" Button > Choose "Remove Everything" and follow the prompts?

    • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 19:44

      I recall in prev Windows editions any missing files potentially required the recovery media.
      Is this no longer an issue?

      • trustnoone on 16/11/2021 - 20:52
        +1

        Resetting through Windows has always placed it back to "as I bought it" status, with the companies bloatware, drivers and all. I imagine it installs from the recovery partition which they discuss above.

        Worse comes to worse, you can always have an iso of windows 10 downloaded on a usb so you can do the nuclear option anyway. as NoUsername below says, windows key is typically saved on uefi boot, but you can find it with some software if you really need. Note that a win 10 iso means you'll have to download many of the drivers yourself afterwards.

        Acer website seems to also note a free upgrade to windows 11?

        https://www.acer.com/ac/en/GB/content/model/NX.HQCEK.002

        Also the fact that instead of helping you reformat your computer they push you off to paying a technician is just absolutely bullsh1t to me. Give it an option, but damn at least help a guy out.

        Seems like they even have a website on their community page in reformatting?
        https://community.acer.com/en/kb/articles/45-windows-10-rese…

  • No Username on 16/11/2021 - 19:44
    +6

    Google Windows 10 ISO and download the ISO image.
    Using Rufus burn the image to a USB.
    Enter the Bios and set to boot from USB.
    Install Windows as normal. As long as you haven't made any major hardware changes, windows should auto activate based on the keys in the BIOS.

  • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 19:48

    OK. I'm good with those options. Thanks trustnoone and No username

    Is this the norm now for pc manufacturers?

    I'm still intent on finding out whether or not this limitation is legal or not =)

    • No Username on 16/11/2021 - 19:54
      +1

      For Dell and Alienware, they come with a recovery partition on the storage drive. You can also get a Recovery USB for $25 extra from Dell.

      Whenever I had my Alienware motherboard replaced, they would always provide a Windows 10 CD Key but because my key was digitally linked to my account I never had to use it. I ended up getting 3 keys but couldn't get them to activate on other PCs.

      Normally I just do a clean install and wipe the partition because Dell is bloated with crap.

      • HairyChickens on 16/11/2021 - 20:16

        I always wondered if you were to wipe laptops what drivers would you have to reinstall and do you find them on manufacturers' website?

        • No Username on 17/11/2021 - 12:23
          +1

          For Dell they have a tool that automatically scans for missing drivers. However, Windows also does a good job at auto installing drivers.

      • kiitos on 16/11/2021 - 23:20

        I ended up getting 3 keys but couldn't get them to activate on other PCs.

        Do you know why that was? I have a couple of keys linked to my account too and thought I may be able to use them in other PCs.

        • No Username on 17/11/2021 - 06:40

          Might be OEM specific or pre activated and locked onto the Motherboard serial number.

  • deme on 16/11/2021 - 19:51
    +2

    The key is probably in the UEFI just download the iso https://software-download.microsoft.com/sg/Win10_21H1_Englis…
    or https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10I… and you'l be good to go.

  • Butt Scratcher on 16/11/2021 - 19:56
    +3

    I've done fresh installs on some of my laptops without knowing what the key is before.

    The key seems to activate itself somehow, you just need to make sure that you install the same edition. That's probably what they mean by it being embedded into the bios

  • bobokingdom on 16/11/2021 - 20:23

    That's what I learnt in the past few weeks,

    Acer sucks - you have to send the laptop to the service centre to get OS reloaded. When I tried to install Windows 10 manually using the ISO I downloaded from Microsoft, it refused to activate. (Yep, I have Windows Home and can't activate)

    Dell is a little better - you can download the OS ISO from their server and activate it successfully. But you most likely need to install drivers by yourself.

    Lenovo ThinkPad (maybe apply to other series as well) - you can download the original image from Lenovo directly for FREE.

    Apple - recover from the Internet directly!

    • Presence on 16/11/2021 - 21:23

      Acer sucks - you have to send the laptop to the service centre to get OS reloaded

      Acer might suck but that's just not true. You can download Windows from Microsoft's own website.

      • bobokingdom on 16/11/2021 - 21:44

        You would think that should be the case. But my Acer can't activate, they claimed SOME laptops may need to be sent in for reload due to a special license arrangement with Microsoft. They offer me FREE pickup and dropoff but it will take 2 weeks.

        • Presence on 16/11/2021 - 22:01

          they claimed SOME laptops may need to be sent in for reload due to a special license arrangement with Microsoft.

          This is incredibly strange and I can't help but think that their support team is incompetent, or the BIOS has some very strange bug.

  • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 20:54
    +1

    I have avoided Acer like the plague as in previous decade, although cheaper, their build quality was dodgey as, (well, worse than the others at the time).

    Definitely going to stay away from them for another decade.

    I have Dell, Hp and Lenovo and they all provided recovery media.
    Admittedly all my laptops and PCs are a decade or so in age, and they are still going strong for what is required.
    And I can re-install to my hearts content.

  • kusama on 16/11/2021 - 21:09
    +1

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Locked_Pre-installation

    You shouldn't get prompted for a key on that device.

  • StevieRay on 16/11/2021 - 21:58

    So what happened to the likes of Bart's PE?
    I have an old USB with Barts PE that still works on other machines.

    This laptop does not have a UEFI legacy option.
    I tried to select all EFI extension files on the USB for secure boot to no avail.

    Are there alternatives to Barts PE that I should look at?
    Was hoping to create a ghost image of the laptop.

    OMG I'm so old.

  • bazingaa on 16/11/2021 - 22:33
    +1

    Usually (at least on all our devices), if you format it and install the same OS edition (select I don't have a key when installing), it will be automatically activated from BIOS/UEFI. You can get fresh Windows ISO from Microsoft without any boaltware and use RUFUS to make a bootable USB (make it in UEFI mode). (You have use mobile view on browser to get ISO with given link, goto that link, press F12, select mobile mode in the developer mode, select any mobile device as agent, refresh the page, get the link for ISO).

  • ode1online on 17/11/2021 - 01:05

    You don't need an iso or a key if its already activated, there should be a key on a sticker somewhere on the body of the laptop anyway

    check out this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtHZueEZe9s&t=3s

    Windows 10 has a RESET function. can choose to Keep files and apps or remove them all.

    Windows will find the majority of drivers for your laptop via updates, but if not, you will find the drivers on acer site

  • havebeerbelywillsumo on 17/11/2021 - 02:37

    And when you do get all this working again clone (NOT COPY) - free software exists tho I am too lazy to locate it - the drive to a safe place, then you have a safe, no keys or any other roadblocks, reinstall (tho all changes after "today" will be lost)

  • Series4Episode10 on 17/11/2021 - 12:03
    +1

    If there are no Windows programs that there are no alternatives available for Linux, try Linux Lite, you may have to change some BIOS settings, that's all covered online, very much a Windows experience with features and options to mirror Windows, faster than Windows 10 or 8 … There is a Win7 iso out there of that installs without a key, once installed you can upgrade to win10 from that, the free upgrade option is still available, search for it, if and once you have your system running invest the time to learn how to use the free or paid versions of system imaging software (all these work and do all someone like you need for home use for free) I use Macrium Reflect but know others who use the other offerings and make a system image and store that image on more than one other drive/cloud/writable media. if you want to you can image say … once a month, or sooner so if shit goes to hell you have a backup where you only loose what changed or was saved and not backed up of your system …a more recent backup.

    https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/free-disk-imaging-softwar…

    • StevieRay on 20/11/2021 - 00:38

      Thanks … Can't believe Norton Ghost was discontinued 8.5years ago…

  • Ramrunner on 17/11/2021 - 13:00

    Windows 10 or later is not issue - simply re-install the same version you had before and activation is automatic.

    Does'nt matter whether you use Acer recovery or go nuclear - it will re-activate.

    It's my favourite feature of Windows 10 - I have WAY too many cusotmers who used to lose or remove the product key stickers from their machines making my life hell.

    No more of that - this is much better.

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