Working Legal Vista Download Links (Nice Try, but you still need a key!)

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

It seems the topic of this thread toes the line of legality - especially as the files have now been removed - but it seems a pretty accepted legitimate practice on these forums.

I'm trying to find out how to legally obtain a 64-bit copy of Vista, as I have a licence.

Certainly not advocating piracy or posting any links. I have a legitimate piece of software that I want to get the most out of!

Anyhow, any suggestions on how to negotiate this bureaucratic hurdle are appreciated.

 

That's the problem, the last two pages (more even) are people trying to discern another way around the problem.
I don't even have a Vista laptop yet, but as soon as I can I'm going to d/l the 64 bit files, just to have them!

 

The files are/were stored on a server Microsoft uses to distribute the OS. Those links were legitimate because Microsoft themselves were offering it.

 

technically, it's the same thing.
take out "microsoft," and it's the basically the same since he own's a license. stupid technicalities. and yes, i guess it's bad to speak of torrents (even though they are also legal to use), so stop doing that (and downloading applications/OS's straight from microsoft is much safer, but what have you )

that's all i have to say

 

If you have a retail license you can order backup (reinstall) disks from Microsoft: http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=444

 

Actually, it isn't (AFAIK - IANAL)

Only MS and its authorized partners has the legal right to distribute that software; distribution of that particular software by any method would be against the EULA. Not condemning, just wanted to make sure the technicalities are understood

 

pish posh

 

Did anyone actually get a backup DVD from this?
I've tried to enter my product key, but always got an error message: No offer found.

 

That's because it only works with boxed versions of Vista. If you have an OEM key that came w/ your laptop you are SOL.

 

Hence why I said retail license, not OEM license.

 

wow, now every single one says 'File Not Found'

 

Yeah, the links are totally not working.

 

JEBUS! I downloaded the UDF from the MS website, but there is no X13-49120.exe in there anywhere. Do I have to have this file to make a bootable disk??? I have searched the end of the internet for a website that has not exceeded its bandwidth.

 

where did you get the UDF?

but i think if you have the UDF, you can just burn it to disc

 

There is an 600mb vista sp1 iso upgrade going around, but it`s only the sp1 , it`s massive for some reason?

A few people have confused it for a full vista sp1

 

is there any chance the links will be back on anytime soon (or ever?). i really badly need to do a clean install. zzz.

 

I need these to vlite my vaio. Why are recovery discs so proprietary?

 

Because Microsoft does not give a damn about user experience. All they care about is their profits. The money they make on you.

 

What does Microsoft have to do with how manufacturers handle recovery discs? That is totally up to the manufacturer, not Microsoft. Dell gives out full installation discs.

 

Fixed.

10char

 

I wasn't aware Dell now made Sony's restore discs.

 

links are broken again for the 64bit links
keeps brging to this page with the simple text: File not found

 

Yeah, the main post really needs to be updated to reflect that this is now dead.

 

I have an account on some website called MSDN or something where I can download Windows Vista 64 bit with SP1 - and I have already

Its an iso, and I made a boot disk

The coolest thing is, I got a free subscription to the site because of the University I go to...how awesome is that?

 

Since it doesn't seem like these links are going to work anymore, this thread should probably be closed so it doesn't show up in searches anymore.

 

Lucky guy! I am thinking about getting a subscription from TechNet. I am not sure if I can get a student MSDN subscription through my school since it doesn't really relate to my major. Though one of my minor's is computer science.

 

Is this thread dead? I need to get my hands on the boot.wim and install wim files if possible.

Just download the Vista ultimate download from digital river as part of the student deal. Unfortunately, it only has the exe file. When I run it, it said boot and install files are missing. My order does come with a DVD that is in the mail. But I would like to get upgraded now if possible.

Forgot to mention, its the 64 bit version I am looking for

 

To my knowledge, the links haven't worked in a long time.

 

Hi.

If not deleted or locked at least the title of this thread needs to be changed.

As it is no longer working!

 

anyone know the alternative to find these files?
i really need to get them
my sz680 vista is killing me!

 

i don't know but downloading vista from a torrent site still makes it legal if you use a legal key its legal.. or am i wrong.. PeaCe

 

You are correct. Users only own the License to install and use the software, they do not the software itself. Therefore you could have twenty proper Vista discs lying about but if you only have one key you can only have one copy installed. The converse is also true - if you have one proper vista disc but 20 keys you can legitimately use 20 seperate instalations of Vista. That also means that it doesn't matter what format your copy of Vista is in. Burned DVD, ISO, or pressed microsoft disc, if you have a key it's legally installed, if you don't it's not.

 

The only problem with torrents are that the original uploader most likely does not have distributing rights granted by microsoft.

 

OH dear me!!!

 

Guys,

Torrent discussion of copyrighted software is prohibited by the forum rules(software piracy) and do not ask for torrent or other dubious links. Some posts have been deleted.

 

I followed those instructions last winter and it worked just fine. It sucks though, cause 2 days later I received my Vista Anytime upgrade disc that I ordered for $5 to do just that, a fresh Vista install :/

 

While the downloads might no longer be available from digitalriver they will sell you the DVD itself (media only, without license). See http://store.digitalriver.com/store/wmp_phy/en_US/DisplayHomePage

The pricing is very good.

 

Good idea if you lost the disk but still have the case with the serial in it... Ive done that before with other disks.

 

For All of you who are confused about torrents:

Torrent sites create the issue of copyright infringement in downloading software. Most people who download torrents also use cracks to activate the software which further raises the issue of piracy. Copyright infringment, and piracy are illegal. Thus, torrent links, etc., are grounds for banishment on most sites such as this.

 

Too bad torrents aren't just used for illegal purposes. I think we all know how strict the staff is about it, you don't have to tell us.

 

Is this disc the same as the anytime upgrade disk? Will it work for a clean install?

 

Well, if it's not then I don't know what it is.

Anyway, I'm paying the fee to find out. I"ll report back.

Unfortunately, their web site says orders can take 2 to 4 weeks for delivery. I could understand that for free DVDs, but not for when I'm paying for the DVD. Obviously Microsoft doesn't want to encourage this, even though this is their partner distribution channel.

 

I see they don't offer XP CDs.

 

XP? You mean that old *** operating system?

 

Are these Vista CDs the correct ones you need?

 

this link no longer works

 

I have a working XP Pro-64 bit ISO, with a serial key (free because I'm a student), but I do not know how to make it a bootable image. Is there a particular file for XP Pro I can download somewhere for free to make it bootable on CD? How about Windows Server 2003?

 

The image is already bootable. You just need to burn it to a cd. It's the same thing for all the OSs on MSDNAA.

 

I burned it to CD with powerISO, and the program itself said it was a "non bootable image." There are no .bif files I can find, and I tried booting with it without success. I even manually set boot option to the CD drive and got nothing but my normal OS loading screen and so on.

 

Hi.

maybe you can use Vlite to make it a bootable dvd ,but you need to get an ISO extractor to get the files

Regards

John.