Users that upgrade Windows Vista OEM computers to Windows 7 might find that the recovery applications set in place by the original equipment manufacturer are no longer accessible. This scenario is valid for some OEM machines that were acquired with Windows Vista pre-installed, the Redmond company explained. OEMs, in certain cases, will preload the Windows Recovery Environment inside the operating system. In this regard, users would be able to benefit from the System Recovery Options right in the graphical user interface (UI) and help topics.

“You have a computer that is preinstalled with Windows Vista by the computer manufacturer. After you upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 on this computer, you notice that manufacturer-specific recovery applications are no longer available on the System Recovery Options menu,” Microsoft explained.

It is not uncommon for OEMs to customize the System Recovery Options. Original Equipment Manufacturers will in fact tailor Windows platforms to their specific needs, and always present custom build copies of the operating system along with their new computers. In this context, the Windows RE tools are customized in accordance with different OEMs. Customers will only be aware of the fact that Windows will come with manufacturer-specific recovery applications included by default. The general rule is that the apps will be offered through the Windows RE tools menu.

Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is an action capable of cutting off access to OEM recovery apps. “When these systems are upgraded to Windows 7, the manufacturer-preloaded Windows RE option will be replaced with a Windows 7-compatible Windows RE,” the software giant added.

There is no hotfix or update from Microsoft to resolve this issue. The Redmond company only recommends that in order “to obtain the manufacturer-specific recovery applications for Windows 7, contact your computer manufacturer.”