Q: Why was I required to provide credit/debit card information in order to obtain an Apple ID?

You're very welcome - post back if you need further assistance.

I've haven't tried this.  Don't do Windows anymore.  This is for windows 7.  Be careful to download only from the Microsoft site.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

I paid $10 for windows and could install it on three computers.

I do not think that is the cost.  Should be more I'd guess. Perhaps used.  Sure this is a legal copy and unaltered?

Some companies have a provision in their corporate license from Microsoft to

provide copies of Office to their employees at steep discount. I have not previously

heard that Windows was included, but it is a possibility (I retired several years ago

and am not current on Redmond's current corporate licensing practices). Just

an FYI. Until I learned of the program, I always looked askance at 'discounted'

versions of Microsoft products. My former employer provided an official CD/DVD for

installation after much electronic paperwork warning you of the dire consequences

for sharing/improper use; I am aware of other companies that used an email link

to an internal website for their employees to the download.

This is a forum for users to help other users with technical problems related to

iPads. You should pursue this matter either with your uncle or in Microsoft related

fora.

I would also strongly suggest that you read the licensing terms for the Windows product to see if it is legal to give it to someone else. Apple spells it out clearly: you can download the OS to as many computers as you own and control. In this case, it would therefore be illegal as your computer is not owned by someone other than you; but I have never read the MS licensing terms.

Dell sent me a USB stick with windows on it. Will it work again?

Since these forums are mostly for questions about your Mac software and hardware, you may need to ask that question in an MS forum unless someone here has read the terms (or, read the licensing agreement you got along with the software).

A list of Microsoft forums.  Microsoft has put effort in recent years to clean them up.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

rccharles wrote:

 

I've haven't tried this.  Don't do Windows anymore.  This is for windows 7.  Be careful to download only from the Microsoft site.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

 

I paid $10 for windows and could install it on three computers.

I do not think that is the cost.  Should be more I'd guess. Perhaps used.  Sure this is a legal copy and unaltered?

That link only works if users have retail Windows 7 product keys. Since MichHVAC uses Dell PC, his product key is OEM. It won't work. That website will tell him to get the setup media through Dell.

MichHVAC might have purchased it through Microsoft Home Use Program. Office Home only costs $10. I don't know about Windows. It could be the same price.

MichHVAC wrote:

 

Yes, it came from his company through a download. He was given three downloads. So, he gave me one. Did not want to say it on line. It was through his company at a reduced rate. I think they are allowed to pay a lower rate to have windows on their home computers. He is retiring in the spring,so no more cheap software. However, I wiped my hard drive before and Dell sent me a USB stick with windows on it. Will it work again? If I wipe my hard drive will I be able to use the same USB to reinstall? However, I am going to need it for my other laptop too.  Is there anywhere I can call to get it sent for free since I have windows already on both of my computer. I have one professional and one home version currently on my lap tops.

I believe that's Microsoft Home Use Program. It's legal.

I don't know what's in the USB flash drive (stick). If it's Windows setup media or recovery media, yes, you can use that USB device to reinstall or factory restore your computer. However, you said that you purchased Windows from your uncle. You must have a setup media whether it's physical media (USB or DVD) or a downloadable Windows setup. You can use that media to reinstall your computer. I don't want to go through the details of Windows reinstallation. Just to give you an idea how to reinstall you computer operating systems from scratch.