Activation can be done by 'hacking' Windows (which is against the Microsoft licensing agreement and is done at your own risk!).

However, you can install and activate both XP and Windows 7 onto a blank hard disk from a bootable USB Flash drive within about an hour using the method below. This normally this cannot be done unless you have the original matching OEM Recovery DVD from the same manufacturer (which is often not obtainable from the manufacturer even if you ask them!). If you do manage to install Windows from a different source (perhaps borrow a friends DVD?), you then still have the problem of activating it. If any one of the DVDs get scratched you have lost your backup image for good! This is really annoying if you want to install Windows back onto your computer at a later date. Asus EeePCs now do not come with any form of external recovery media feature! Some other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) include an application to allow you to make backup DVDs if they have an internal DVD writer fitted, but even if you have enough writeable DVDs (which are never provided!), the final backup contains GB's of 'crapware'. they do not provide a bootable DVD or a bootable Flash memory stick). However, many manufacturers annoyingly do not provide Recovery Media (e.g.

If you have purchased a Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate computer which has a valid and legal Certificate of Authenticity (COA), then you are licensed to run Win 7 Pro or XP Pro via downgrade rights.

Win 7 pro bootable usb