This is what I thought. I just can't see spending $100+ for a copy of windows I already rightfully own. It's not my fault they don't send restore disks with laptops anymore. If it hadn't have crashed the first week I had it I would have made the restore disks.
That is why you can order the media from the device manufacturer or use the Recovery Drive on the device. Microsoft is in no way responsible for what your laptop manufacturer does. You are making a mistake thinking that Microsoft is behind you not getting a disk. That is wrong. That is the manufacturer of the laptop. Complain to them about not getting a disk, not Microsoft.
The facts are this. You NEVER OWN Windows at all. You purchase a serial for you to use. But the fact is Microsoft still owns the software and the rights to distribute it the way they want. They have MSDN, TechNET and a way to order replacement media if yours is lost. So since those options are available, you downloading it from any source other than those 3, are technically illegal since they are not sanctioned by Microsoft to host the media for download.
So despite what any of us feel, that is the honest truth. Microsoft has taken steps since XP to offer the media replacements. Back in the days of XP there was no way other than to download it via 3rd party sources. Now they have the Replacement Media site where you can get a copy shipped to you. That is now the legal way to do it.