Recovery CDs are the bane of the industry. Fight them. MOST computer manufacturers in the UK provide you with only a recovery CD when you buy a PC. Don't settle for that. Always insist on a full Windows CD with all the necessary drivers; you've paid for it! Why is it a big deal? For several good reasons:

What are Recovery CDs?

A recovery or recover CD is one designed to restore your PC to default "factory condition". There is usually a (mirror) "image" stored on a partition on the hard disk. When you insert the recover CD it reads that image and resets your PC, Windows, drivers and everything else to how it was on the day it shipped to you. It is a low cost option to providing you with a proper Windows CD.

Sounds like a great idea!

Not really. First, recover CDs tend to work by deleting everything on your PC, including all your programs, your settings, your drivers, your emails, faxes, documents, images, video clips... everything. Secondly, they rely on having the original hard disk in the PC. If you ever change your hard disk (even 5 years down the road) your recover CD becomes completely useless... and so does your PC. Thirdly, these are not "FULL" copies of Windows in the sense described in more detail below.

But surely recover CDs are the easiest way to get back to "square one"?

Sure, if you don't mind losing all your data, don't mind sticking with drivers that could be years old... it's fine. But if you paid for Windows we don't see a reason why you shouldn't get a Windows CD. Do remember also that companies using this system are blocking your use of part of your hard disk, as they have stored an "image" file there. This could be quite large, often even over a gigabyte in size. You cannot use that area of hard disk though you've paid for it. But that's the least of your problems. It will work out more expensive in the long run. If you ever change your hard disk, that recover CD won't work. You'll have to - and this is true - you'll have to buy a new copy of Windows!

Some manufacturers state that their recover CD copies are non-destructive. Take that with a pinch of salt. If the promise is that all your files and programs will remain unaffected but Windows will be re-installed - that is quite simply not possible.

But I'd like the convenience of restoring to factory condition and I don't intend ever changing my hard disk

Erm, you can't assume you'll never change your hard disk. What if the existing one goes faulty just outside the warranty period? You'll have to shell out for a new hard disk. If you've got a recover CD you'll ALSO need to shell out for a new copy of Windows.

But surely Recover CD vs Windows CD only becomes a problem if I want to reinstall Windows or change my hard disk, or have a faulty hard disk?

NO! Should you have a problem with your PC during warranty this is how it works: The telephone support staff will usually assume that you've messed Windows up. They'll ask you to put this recover CD in your machine and press a few keys. This is designed to delete all your existing data, all the programs you've installed, all your settings, emails, documents .... everything. It will restore the PC to default "factory condition". Telephone support will then take you through a few checks to see if the PC seems to be working OK. If it turns out that it was a faulty part - and not you messing Windows up - too late, you've already lost all your data!

Having a "full" Windows CD also has other benefits. There are programs, utilities, drivers and other files on the Windows CD that you may need at some time. When you are installing a new device you will very often get a message asking you to "insert the Windows CD".

Why is this recovery CD not a "full" copy of Windows? Is it illegal?

It is not illegal to supply a Recover CD instead of a "proper" Microsoft Windows CD, but it is a cheaper route that some manufacturers take to cut costs. It works to your disadvantage. With a proper Windows CD you can re-install Windows as many times as you want on your own PC. With a recover CD, you can't. You can only restore the PC to "factory condition".

Should you want to install that copy of Windows on another PC (whatever the legal technicalities- please check - and always delete the copy on the old PC first), it is a practical impossibility with a recover CD. You need to have a full Windows CD to do this.