Hello

This is my story: Please help me...

I bought a DELL inspiron 15 3543/4W laptop...

It came with original windows 8.1 single language...

unfortunately my laptop infected by a virus and my recovery partition is also damaged...

I gave my laptop to the IT service center where I bought this laptop and they said the windows activation key is injected to the motherboard by the manufacture and I did not receive any recovery CD when I buy this Laptop...

And they formatted my laptop and they have installed windows 8.1 single language and the windows is activated now...

THIS IS THE PROBLEM : 

When we open an app the close button (the red 'X' mark) was on the top right corner in the previous version of windows I had..

There was a search bar in the start... 

There was the power options in the start...

But now all those three things are not there and now my laptop is very hard to use... :-(

When I try to add features they ask for a product key... And I don't know my key because It is injected to the motherboard...

I want to add those features to my laptop and I want to know how to Reinstall windows without a CD/USB because I did not receive any of them... (How to make a recovery partition)

• Edited by Brandon RecordsModerator 17 hours 23 minutes ago Clarified title.

Hello

This is my story: Please help me...

I bought a DELL inspiron 15 3543/4W laptop...

It came with original windows 8.1 single language...

unfortunately my laptop infected by a virus and my recovery partition is also damaged...

I gave my laptop to the IT service center where I bought this laptop and they said the windows activation key is injected to the motherboard by the manufacture and I did not receive any recovery CD when I buy this Laptop...

And they formatted my laptop and they have installed windows 8.1 single language and the windows is activated now...

THIS IS THE PROBLEM : 

When we open an app the close button (the red 'X' mark) was on the top right corner in the previous version of windows I had..

There was a search bar in the start... 

There was the power options in the start...

But now all those three things are not there and now my laptop is very hard to use... :-(

When I try to add features they ask for a product key... And I don't know my key because It is injected to the motherboard...

I want to add those features to my laptop and I want to know how to Reinstall windows without a CD/USB because I did not receive any of them... (How to make a recovery partition) Reply ASAP

• Merged by Brandon RecordsModerator 17 hours 12 minutes ago Duplicate threads.

For instructions on how to create a recovery partition, see here,

For instructions on how to find your windows key to add features, see here.

• Edited by Acreed02 Tuesday, July 07, 2015 6:46 PM

If I had been in your place I would first ask all these issues to the IT Service Center where they reinstalled the OS. You have every right to ask for the Product Key from them too.

Still you can retrieve the product key. Download and install Belarc Advisor  for this.

When you had your original OEM then your system had recovery partition.

Right now you can create recovery image by the following way:

Create Windows 8 Recovery Partition

Current forum is aimed at IT professionals. For general public there is special forum

answers.microsoft.com

Some support services provide recovery DVD or full set of DVDs, that contain operating system and applications.

I do recommend use of antivirus program (you should take care about updates of AV database) AND good backup program. You can restore your computer in minutes for fraction of price of service.

HTH

Milos

I followed your instructions to find my key and I got a key...

But when I try to add features I entered that key...

But the wizard says it is wrong and try a different key..

please help me

Have you made sure that Windows is completely up to date since its been reinstalled?

What specific features are you trying to add?

I'm sure you'd just like to have your start menu back to what it was before the reinstall, but there are some third party programs that customize your start menu. You can check those out here.

Hi,

If your computer still in warranty, I suggest you contact with manufacturer for recovery, they will send you a recovery media or re-build the recovery partition for you. The OEM key on your motherboard only could be used to activate OEM system. You could reinstall Windows 8.1 with a retail version but it requires a retail key. You could download Windows 8.1 installation media from following link.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Regards,

D. Wu

From what you describe, I suspect that your system has been restored with Windows 8, not Windows 8.1. Can you share a screenshot of your System Properties?

You should also find the Install Windows 8.1 option in the Windows Store if this is the case, which will automatically upgrade your activated system and restore the options you are missing.

Brandon
Windows Outreach Team- IT Pro
Windows for IT Pros on TechNet