System builders have the option of offering their customers a hard-disk-based recovery solution for most versions of Windows, including:

• Windows Vista
• Windows XP
• Windows Server 2003
• Windows Server 2008

Using a hard-disk-based recovery solution does not change any requirements of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License, as detailed in the Windows OPK User's Guide. System builders must distribute the Microsoft-branded Windows hologram CD-ROM media and manual with the computer system and attach the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label to the system chassis. System builders are prohibited from creating recovery solutions for Windows that are stored on removable media, as this is a violation of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License.

Although system builders are allowed to offer a hard disk recovery solution, Microsoft is not developing new technologies or software tools at this time to offer as part of this recovery solution.

Windows Vista:

See Creating a Windows Vista Hard Disk Recovery Solution .pdf 3.7 MB | .xps 4.6 MB. for information about the technical requirements for hard disk recovery solutions for Windows Vista.

See Creating a Hard Disk Recovery Solution for System Builder Scripts .zip 84 KB for downloadable scripts to accompany the instructions for Creating a Hard Disk Recovery Solution.

Note: The custom executable called OEMFactoryRestore.exe can be created using Visual Studio 2008 or any third-party compiler that meets the following requirements:

• Win32 application
• Static linked libraries
• Application has an icon in the executables
• Application has the "Product name" and "File description" attributes of the executable

Windows XP:

See Windows XP OEM Preinstallation Kit Design Notes .doc 117 KB for information about legal, licensing, and technical requirements for Windows XP hard-disk-based recovery solutions.

Q. Can a system builder stamp and sell CDs with Microsoft software?

A. No. The reproduction of CDs with Microsoft software by system builders infringes Microsoft's copyright. Unauthorized reproduction is illegal, and can result in civil and criminal liability.

Q. Can a system builder create their own recovery disks and sell these with the computer systems that they build?

A. No. Unauthorized reproduction of Microsoft software infringes Microsoft's copyright, is illegal, and can result in civil and criminal liability.

Q. Does a system builder need to support the OEM software they supply to their customers?

A. Yes. System builders agree to provide end user support under the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. A copy of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License that is on Microsoft OEM System Builder Packs is available for download in a total of 23 languages. Get the details and download the licenses.

Q. Will Microsoft provide support in regards to a hard-disk-based recovery solution system builders may offer?

A. No. The hard-disk-based recovery solution white paper includes the legal, licensing, and technical requirements for this type of hard-disk-based recovery solution. System builders may offer a hard disk recovery solution, but please note that Microsoft is not developing new technologies or new software tools at this time for system builders to offer as part of this recovery solution. There are third-party software companies that can help system builders do this, and they are outlined in Windows XP OEM Preinstallation Kit Design Notes .doc 117 KB.

Review a comprehensive set of system builder licensing questions and answers.