This is part 1 of how to install a clean copy of Vista, when you only have a recovery image.

The reason for this post is that I have 70 new laptops, that are all pre-installed from the manufacturer - filled with a lot of junk and killingly slow!

What I want to achieve is the following:

- Create a clean Vista Home Premium install, using the allready purchased OEM license key.

- Add drivers and programs to the install.

- Create a .wim file from the install, and deploy it to all laptops using windows deployment services.

To get things started, I found a really great post by David Hartsock - that in detail describes how you can extract your OEM license key and certificate from a recovery image. I will reference the process below, but before you proceed:

Please understand that I can not be made liable for any dataloss, or other damages caused by this approach. This process is only to be used for legal purposes - use at your own risk, ok? :-) 

Also make sure that you backup any data you want to save, and make sure that you have a working copy of your recovery image, and also a working copy of Vista OEM/Retail.

Let’s get started shall we?

1. Download Activation Backup & Restore Program (2.2mb), and extract it to your desktop. Then copy the folder to a USB key or similar.

2. Open the ABR folder from your usb key, and run the “activation_backup.exe” command.

3. If all works well, you should now have a license key and certificate file in the same folder.

4. Insert the OEM/Retail DVD and install the exact version that you purchased. Choose to format the partition on your harddrive, that you are going to install on. Please  make sure that you DON’T enter any licensekey in the install, and also make sure to uncheck the “Activate vista online” box.

5. After you have completed the install, insert your USB key again, and this time run the “activation_restore.exe” command.

6. Go to the control panel / computer settings and you will see that your Vista copy is now fully licensed and activated:)

That’s it for part 1. In the next part I will cover the process of creating the .wim file, and also take a look at some unattended install xml scripts for you to use.

Credits goes to David Hartsock for originaly posting this walk through.