Throwback To Physical Installation Media

Anyone remember the days when physical media was the predominant method for installing and reinstalling operating systems, drivers, and application software?

Back then, some computer manufacturers might include a system recovery image on physical media which you could use to reinstall the operating system, drivers, and base software so your computer could revert to factory default. Other computer manufacturers might include an OEM version of the operating system plus drivers/software on physical media to use for reinstallation.

My first two laptops were from Toshiba and included system recovery images on CD/DVD-ROM. When I switched to Dell, Dell included an OEM version of the Windows operating system and initial drivers/software on CD/DVD-ROMs. If you wanted the latest drivers, you could download them via Dell’s website. With Apple, my Late 2009 MacBook included DVD-ROMs to reinstall OS X (now macOS) and iLife. Most other application software was also installed or reinstalled via CD/DVD-ROM.

With the early versions of the MacBook Air, Apple included a USB flash drive to reinstall OS X and iLife as the MacBook Air did not include an optical drive. By the time I got my Mid 2013 MacBook Air, Apple discontinued including the USB flash drives with new MacBook Airs and you had to either order a USB flash drive or create your own bootable USB installation media if you wanted to perform a clean install of OS X.

There are still times when you may need to boot/install from a USB flash drive (ex: hard drive/SSD failure or replacement, build a new PC with no operating system) but mostly gone are the days of computer manufacturers including recovery and installation software on CD/DVD-ROM or flash drives. Nowadays, most software and drivers are available through digital/electronic download. But, if you need to perform a clean install of Windows or macOS, you may still need to create bootable USB installation media.