LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Just like Vista before!!!)

yep, thats exactly it, make sure you keep the ABR files on something else (flash drive) after you back up the key/cert

 

What do you mean by "reformat Windows 7" ? I haven't used it but it looks
like ABR only saves activation information to be applied once the operating
system has been reinstalled, but for that you'll need the Windows 7 disk or
an iso of W7 stored on a disc or something.

You can get an OS disk from Dell for free, just go to this page.

 

By "reformat windows 7" he means doing a clean install with the windows 7 iso downloadable in the OP of this thread

The disc you linked to comes with all of the bloatware, so it does not fit the intended purpose, it's just a recovery disc.

 

I can't deny this since I've not asked Dell for discs, but over in the Dell forums
several people have mentioned that Dell will supply an OS disc for the asking,
and for free (one that contains only the OS, not an image of an installed
system). I thought the page I referred to was the proper one but maybe not.

I'd call up Dell and ask them for a disc.

 

Link doesn't work for me - anyone else?

500 error. At least it's not 404, I get sick of that one

 

Well in Australia, the OS disc is free.... But you will have to pay $50 au for shipping...

 

If you can't access it, here's a quote from the page:

It is definitely not a clean windows 7 disc, and the alternative they give is also a link to instructions for doing a factory reset, which keeps all the bloatware. There may be a way to get discs from dell, but this isn't it.

 

^Minor update to OP

 

I'm sure this is answered, but.. New computer (Toshiba Portege R705)... x64 or x86 windows 7?

 

How much ram does it have?

 

4gb ram, 1.3ghz, 320gb

 

Go with x64 as long as you don't have any old peripherals that don't have drivers

 

uhhh ohh... So I followed all of the instructions - thought everything was working great, except now windows doesn't recognize my wireless card? I go to device manager and there is no trace of a network card. what happened?

 

also posted this in another thread, but I feel like it's pretty relevant here too

 

Try installing the drivers for your card from HP here (under Drivers - Networking): Software & Driver Downloads HP Pavilion dm4-1065dx Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

There's really no way to get driver packs unless you backup your SwSetup folder, and those are the stock drivers, not updates.

Also, what happens when you insert your recovery discs?

 

it wants me to "image" my computer... When I insert the recov discs it asks for me to insert the "final" recov disc and when I do it doesn't recognize it

 

if you didn't replace the recovery partition when you clean installed, then you can boot into that to recover the computer back to factory state, and then reburn the recovery discs

 

^minor update to OP, cleaned up the guide a bit

EDIT: If anyone is intrested, I'll also add a part to this guide about how activations/licensing work (OEM, moving 32 bit to 64, upgrading, transferring licenses). I'll post it sometime next week/ the week after

 

This guide worked for me, thanks and +rep.

 

EDIT: Never mind....

 

Are there any links for XP if I wanted to reinstall an older computer, or am I asking for too much?

Great guide btw.

 

So if I use my OEM CD Key after removing the ei.cfg it will be fully activated?

 

There does not seem to be any official Microsoft links for any XP or Vista versions anymore, unless you go through MSDN or TechNet.

Removing ei.cfg lets you install any edition "Home Premium, Professional, etc" from any Win7 disc, but you still need a valid product key for that specific edition. If you have a Win7 OEM key, use Activation Backup and Restore to backup, install the SAME EDITION, then restore your key.

ABR (Activation Backup and Restore) | directedge.us

 

So what happened with this?

 

lol I thought there was a problem with the guide and tried to post a correction but it turns out that it was just my computer being weird AKA there was no problem

 

Also make sure you scroll down at that link to "ABR Beta With Windows 7 Support" not the top one which is for vista

 

I accidentally installed the 32 bit version on my first try so now I'm trying to install the 64 bit. However, eberytime I put in one of the discs I burned windows loads the files but then the screen goes blank and the disc drive stops spinning. Any idea what's wrong?

 

So if you got the OEM windows 7, you dont need to do the other steps [Method 1/2]

As well, if I do clean instal, I can make two partions and then reactive windows 7 ? But how does that go if you need to put the key in before hand [First time windows 7 user]

 

Thanks for posting this guide. This thread should be made sticky for easy access because a lot of people would benefit from it.

 

been looking for the info everywhere.Even HP wouldnt tell me.I cant thank you enough,I owe you a beer.

 

If you purchase an OEM key, then you do not need to use ABR

You cannot technically have two installs of windows from the same key, even two partitions on one hard drive. You do not have to enter the key at setup, you can always enter it when the activation balloon pops up in the OS

 

Can a mod change the title of the OP to "LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Nice Try, but you still need a Key!)"

 

Can anyone here tell me the size of the files in the 3 Files Method (specially the box) for Windows 7 64bit?

Thanks...

 

Try this:
How to Create a Bootable Windows XP Setup CD/DVD from a Pre-loaded/Preinstalled Windows System (howtohaven.com)

 

If you mean extracted then here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/5443905-post43.html

 

Ahh... the memories... back in the day I tried this on like 5 computers and couldn't find the required folders on any of them, man was I unlucky

 

Thanks.. but i need the original file size of the setup.box I tried to download the 3 files and here's what i got.

Win7-P-Retail x64.exe - 75.96mb
Setup1.box - 1.024GB
Setup2.box - 160.04mb

The download says its complete but I'm not sure, I also tried downloading the ISO file and I only got 1GB of file. I'm using Download Accelerator Plus as a download manager.

Thanks..

 

the .exe should be 75.96MB
Setup1.box should be 2.66GB
Setup2.box should be 160.04MB

Looks like you're fine except for setup1.box - try using DownThemAll w/Firefox - it has never failed for me

 

I used firefox also, so that's a good idea.

 

thanks for this im currently downloading, can't wait to do a clean install and get rid of all the junk

 

Thanks for the guide
+rep (If I have any idk)

 

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask or not, but it saves me making another topic...

I bought a copy of Windows 7 when it first came out, I have a brand new laptop coming today hopefully (Envy 14) and i'd like to do a clean install. Can I use the retail install DVD to actually install Windows and then use the OEM serial etc to validate it or if im using a retail DVD do I have to use the retail serial key that came with it?

The reason I ask was because I was going to give my retail version of windows 7 away to a mate

 

You should be able to... But then again, I'm not too sure. I think there was talk about ABR(?) a few pages back. Here.

 

Ah ok excellent, cheers for that link

Does anyone else have experience with doing this?

 

yep, what joelkrause said is exactly correct.

You would do the following:

Use ABR's backup function to backup the activation, then copy the abr folder to a dvd/external usb, then use the retail disc to install windows, then restore the OEM activation with ABR. In this case, you can give away the retail key since you are not using it.

The link for ABR that joelkrause gave is also correct, but make sure you scroll down to ABR Beta with Windows 7 Support

 

I was wondering if someone could help me install the drivers within the install progress. Since my Dell Studio 1558 won't let me eject the install disk, I have transferred the drivers from the Dell Resource Disk onto a USB drive. When I am asked to browse for drivers, nothing comes up.

Correct me if I am mistaken, but I only need the DVD drivers for installation, right?

 

When are you asked to browse for drivers? You should just have to run a bunch of .exes from the DVD and the drivers will be installed

 

v3locity,
I am asked for the drivers after I push install. A blank box comes up with a browse button, rescan button, a Next button, and a cancel button. On top of that, it asks for my to install DVD driver.

 

So I'm on step 8 of the 3 mile method. Could some one tell me how many disks it will take in order to burn it and also explain to me exactly how to do it? Thank you in advance!

 

1 disk. The file linked to in step 8 tells you exactly how to do it.