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

the iso links are recommended, but i'm keeping the other links as a backup

 

^^bump back to first page

 

Help! I'm pulling my hair out.

I am almost certain I've done EVERYTHING correctly.

I downloaded the iso file for the x64 pro version.

Everything goes exactly as it should, except for when I put the disc in to start the install.

I cannot get the disc to boot.

I have burned using Nero 7 - and selected "Burn Image To Disc" (I think that's the options title).

When I load the disc I can see the win 7 icon come on the disc drive, but it will not let me open it (a message about not being the right version of windows).

I have set in my bios to boot from disc, and is simply won't work. I get a message saying its not a bootable disc.

When I load in MagicISO, it says the file is bootable.

Sorry for the long message - just wanted to get you all the info.

I've spent 14 hours straight on this, and simply can't figure it out - Any help would be more than appreciated.

Thanks folks.

 

Can you do an upgrade install from these if the key I have is only good for an upgrade install?

 

I answered this yesterday.

Anyway, when I tried to verify my fresh 64 bit iso burn using my old processor (non-64 bit), I got a message about being an incompatible version of Windows. Are you sure your processor is 64 bit capable?

Post your specs in order to get the best assistance...

 

Thanks so much for getting back.

I just finished downloading & burning the x32 version and I'm experiencing the identical problem.

Any suggestions? If there something I'm missing in the burning process perhaps?

Oh, and the computer is a custom built machine. Intel duo core processor (I was certain it was compatible with x64). Also has 4 gb ram (ddr2) .

 

UPDATE:

Got disc to work.

I'm not sure if it's because most people used a USB drive or what - but the instructions made it out to be that the Microsoft tool was only required to format USB drives, but that was the step that I needed to take in order to get this to work.

I'm not sure if the instructions need updating or not. I know I'm one of the very few who ran into such a problem with this.

Thanks again for your help "Jeremysdad" - I REALLY appreciate your attention.

 

No problem, Sir (or Ma'am). Just glad to offer ideas, even if they don't turn out to be spot on. Glad it worked out for you!

 

If I do a clean install, I would lose my recovery partition made by HP or it's contents ??

 

No, not unless you intentionally delete or re-format the partition. The Windows 7 install does not touch the partition during a normal install.

Now, with that said, the recovery partition will not be available using the F11 key to re-install the software since the MBR is overwritten. However as mentioned above, the partition and all its data will still be there.

If you think you will want to re-install the original software (and even if you don't think you ever will) please make your Software Restore Disc Set before you install Windows 7.

 

btw, to extend the 30 day limit up to 3 times, you can run "slmgr -rearm" in a DOS box with admin rights, then reboot:
http://windowssecrets.com/2009/08/20/01-Use-any-version-of-Windows-7-free-for-120-days

 

I had the same issue but I was able to activate without having to call MS. I got the invalid key message when I tried to activate after I did the clean install using the key that on the bottom of my laptop. I tried to activate several times but no able to. The activation said that i have 3 days before I have to activated windows. I was busy and didn't have time to call MS until 3 days. When I ready to call MS, I tried activate again using the same key. This time windows activate without issue So has anyone else seen this happen?

 

Do these versions incorporate all of the released updates?
If not, where can the updates be downloaded and slipstreamed with these?

 

yea i had this happen but if the key u got is real for the right product and it says it. where it says activate it. if u try it wont let you. so leave it blank and press next then it sorts it out. i dont no why it does this but it worked for me EVERY time. but today it activated normally.

 

No, this contains only the RTM version. Not very many updates have been released for W7 anyways. Most updates you would get would be for specific hardware connected to your computer.

 

Just completed a clean install using the 32bit Digital River ISO and couldn't activate it online with my legitimate product key. Called MS and entered the authentication code and got a message saying the product had been used too many times. I should have read this thread more thoroughly first but when it's all said and done considering how many netbooks/notebooks have no DVD drive these days maybe the manufacturers should start supplying recovery software on a preconfigured USB drive.

 

v3loc1ty: I downloaded Windows 7 using the ISO method, then used the eicfg_removal_utility on it. Now, the Windows 7 ISO file is still compressed. Do I have to extract it before burning it to a DVD, or do I burn the compressed ISO file to a DVD? Thanks.

 

no you simply burn the iso after using the tool

 

Neither, you burn the ISO as an image. Many burning programs give you this option for burning an ISO file. But, if you read further down the instructions after downloading the ISO in the first post, you will find a tool to download which will do this for you or make a bootable USB flash drive with Windows 7 on it.
-----
Finally, burn the iso, boot it, and install (you can also put it onto a usb flash drive/hard drive using the microsoft tool to save a disc: http://www.gazup.com/DNtH6-windows7-usb-dvd-tool.exe-download-mirrors

 

i recc imgburn highly.. or almost any good burning preogram will do this. ashampoo is another great choice

 

Thanks. Can you tell me how to burn an ISO as an image? Apparently that's not the same as burning it as a data file.

I have both Nero and ImgBurn. Which is better suited to burn the image? What setting should I use? Thanks for your help.

 

A quick Google search would tell you how: http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=imgburn+how+to+burn+an+image+file

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Tried searching the thread, I apologize if I've missed it....

I'm using the ISO on USB. Ran the program to eliminate the ei.cfg file (from the first page of this thread). Somehow it installed Home Premium, yet I have a Professional Key.

How to I choose to install professional? I will then enter the key after I have the correct version. Or do I install home premium and then enter my professional key and it upgrades? I doubt this method is correct...

Thanks.

 

Sorry if this has already been addressed, but:

If I do this, all I need is a valid Windows (ultimate starter etc) registration key correct? Is there anyplace where I can buy these from [reputable] people?

eBay is filled with them, but they're probably all scammers. Is there a legitimate way to do this? Thanks

 

First post here.
Thx for this topic. Seems like after a day of trial and error I finally managed to get it working. I used the ISO method. My first USB boot using the first mirror-ISO did not work. The second USB boot using the second mirror-ISO did work. Everything installed but then I noticed I got the wrong version. Professional instead of HomePremium. Apparently the ei.cfg remove tool didn't do it's job. So I went back to my USB and manually removed the ei.cfg in the \source map. After that it was smooth sailing.

 

what about for us not so cd making inclined getting soem1 to make one of these cd's for us?

 

Hi Darksilver and all,

My Lenovo notebook came with 32-bit Windows 7 Professional, would this also apply to using the DVD made from the iso file to install the 64-bit Pro version?

Thanks a lot in advance.

Best regards,
fld.

 

Ok now I do have a new problem .
For some reason my key is not activated. I put in the key while installing and checked to get it activated when online. However I just checked under properties under "computer" and it says: "2 days until automatic activation. Active windows now". Does this mean I will just have to wait before it activates? Or that my key is no good. Product ID is different from product key right? I tried re-entering my product key and it says it's invalid.

 

"Activate windows now" means just that - activate it. If not it will try to go online in 2 days as it says. And if it fails, your system will be either locked out or experience limited performance.

I won't ask as to where and how you got the key, but if it's legitimate then you might just have to call in for manual (telephone) activation.

 

I'll wait two days then. My key is legal. It's on the bottom of my HP DM3. I just did a clean install so thought that might have been the problem.
Originally there was a Dutch W7 Home Premium on this. Then I downloaded a new x64 version and used the ISO method for a clean install. My Home Premium is now an English version, don't suppose that's the problem..

 

Is the key for a 64-bit W7 originally? If yes, you might need to call in for activation. If not, you need a new license.

 

anyone have an answer to this?

 

Got it to work by calling, thx.

 

you just need to purchase windows 7 from somewhere

 

well then what's the point of using this method? If you buy Win 7 you should also get the install CDs.

 

That is great news.

 

its for people that want to do clean installs with laptops that have win7 preinstalled - if you don't have win7, you might as well buy it legit in a retail box

 

Could I boot from an SD card if it's in a USB adapter?

 

yes /10char

 

Don't know if anyone already questioned this.

I download the ISO file. The install files inside are marked 7/14/2009. Is this the final release ISO?

 

Is it legal to sell Windows 7 licenses? I have 5 (long story), and they are all 100% legit.

Two are FULL Retail versions of Windows 7 Ultimate for both 32-bit and 64-bit, and the other three are Windows Vista Business - to - Windows 7 Professional UPGRADE licenses, and they have all been installed in 64-bit. I am not sure if it is legal to use the upgrade licenses for a 32-bit upgrade as well. So to speak.

I'm going to guess and say it's probably not legal to sell the 3 upgrade licenses, as they belong to the laptops that were being upgraded, but what about the 2 full retail Ultimate keys, which I got directly from Microsoft?

 

I believe you can sell the full retail Ultimate keys as long as they have never been activated.

 

/bump to front

 

Thanks a bunch Mr v3loc1ty2.0.

Even tho I exceeded my download limit, I was able to trickle my own copy of x86 iso for my home system (at shaped 8-14KB/sec!) and activated with a key purchased from Ebay. 30+ hours later success.

I now have a LEGAL W7 Ultimate for peanuts.

The eicfg removal tool worked perfectly on the iso, and the dvdr burnt successfully using W7 RC's built in iso/image burning tool.

RC had just started to nag me to upgrade, and every went smoothly.
Nearly a shame everything looks the same as RC1.....

Cheers for the front page advice and links.

Sean

Now to DL the 64bit version for my laptop. Yes I bought a key for it too. This will take all weekend.

 

bump for easy access

 

If you purchase a key for Windows 7 (as was the case with Vista), you don't need to purchase two keys for 64-bit if you have a key already. A genuine key is valid for both the 32-bit version of whatever edition of Windows 7 you buy, as well as the 64-bit one.

How much was the key, and what did you get? An email with the key, or did they send you the source files, too?

Anyway, congrats!

 

It might be time to kill this thread, all this talk of torrent downloads of install media and buying questionable keys via ebay is right on the edge.

 

Are these 7 downloads MSDM versions?

 

but it is still legal, and limits were defined in the posts above ( activation, etc.)

that would definitely be an overreaction

they are retail versions