[PCWorld]

Post your comments for How to Install Windows 7 Without the Disc here

[klkl]

are there links to iso files for xp and vista too? (there are many of us not on windows 7 yet)

[buckgodwin]

I too am interested in an XP Media Center Edition backup iso file

[mseyf]

Using Magical Jellybean to find your product key may not always be a good idea - when the large OEMs set up the hard drive, they use vendor-specific key that is the same on every drive and is only valid with a specific set of installation files. In a case like that, you definitely need the product key off the OEM sticker on the machine. Magical Jellybean may be useful to indicate what version of windows (Home Premium, Professional, etc) you're running if you're not sure.

[mseyf]

klkl, on 01 February 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

are there links to iso files for xp and vista too? (there are many of us not on windows 7 yet)

PirateBay if you're brave, or Microsoft TechNet if you know someone with a subscription.

[Lovewindows7]

pirates bay is great is long as its a ligget make sure u download from is trust worthy ive never got a virus on piratebay

[Lovewindows7]

u can get a pirated virsion but youll need the 15 number key unless u can get a key generator is the computer worth the upgrade number 1 number 2 is a computer i buy have window seven 3 is the upgrade worth the risk 4 BACK UP UR FILES ON A HARD DRIVE OR THERE GONE IN A FLASH

[FascistNation]

There are links for Vista ISOs. They were put in for some problem or testing purposes with IE at the time if I recall. They are still there somewhere. I don't think any XP ISO were ever authorized by MS. Pity.

[joeva63]

I think I am correct when I say this. When manufacturers send pc's out with recovery partitions, those recovery partitions include the operating system along with crapware, etc you just have to remove. Also, the operating system is already activated.

So... if you use this method of downloading the iso, and install using the method in this article, you will have to put in your product key. Since Microsoft limits the number of times Windows can be activated, does using this method described in the article go against the number of times you can activate the software?

[jrosnow]

This article saved me! My hard drive crashed and my repair disk was not booting. I followed the recommendation here and had to enter my license twice, but it did work the second time. Good as new!

[mickey1212]

The product download link is at a dot NET address. Digital River must have crap servers because it is downloading at 1MB/SEC, so expect a 48 minute download no matter WHAT your connection speed is!

[brianmef]

mseyf, on 06 February 2012 - 08:13 AM, said:

Using Magical Jellybean to find your product key may not always be a good idea - when the large OEMs set up the hard drive, they use vendor-specific key that is the same on every drive and is only valid with a specific set of installation files. In a case like that, you definitely need the product key off the OEM sticker on the machine. Magical Jellybean may be useful to indicate what version of windows (Home Premium, Professional, etc) you're running if you're not sure.

You can also click on start, type in "winver" and press enter to find out what version you are using.

This post has been edited by brianmef: 03 May 2012 - 10:54 PM

[SuzieDD]

mseyf, on 06 February 2012 - 08:13 AM, said:

Magical Jellybean may be useful to indicate what version of windows (Home Premium, Professional, etc) you're running if you're not sure.

*PLEASE* don't hunt down and install special software just to get your Windows version number.
Ugh.
Just type VER or WINVER

[Dodoy]

Lovewindows7, on 06 February 2012 - 10:38 AM, said:

pirates bay is great is long as its a ligget make sure u download from is trust worthy ive never got a virus on piratebay

Ligget? Lol that sounds painful...

[RobertKoAodziej]

Can someone please explain how having those discs burned is legal? I need them for reinstalling OSes on customer's PCs where they have the product key, but lost recovery partition or whatever and I need media to reinstall. I thought it is against copyrights to own Windows CDs without actually purchasing them?

[coastie65]

mseyf, on 06 February 2012 - 08:13 AM, said:

Using Magical Jellybean to find your product key may not always be a good idea - when the large OEMs set up the hard drive, they use vendor-specific key that is the same on every drive and is only valid with a specific set of installation files. In a case like that, you definitely need the product key off the OEM sticker on the machine. Magical Jellybean may be useful to indicate what version of windows (Home Premium, Professional, etc) you're running if you're not sure.

Use www.belarcadvisor.com iof you want to find that stuff.

[coastie65]

joeva63, on 06 February 2012 - 02:15 PM, said:

I think I am correct when I say this. When manufacturers send pc's out with recovery partitions, those recovery partitions include the operating system along with crapware, etc you just have to remove. Also, the operating system is already activated.

So... if you use this method of downloading the iso, and install using the method in this article, you will have to put in your product key. Since Microsoft limits the number of times Windows can be activated, does using this method described in the article go against the number of times you can activate the software?

Usually the first thing you would do is to make the recovery disks. Yeah, yo get al the crapware as you are as you were out of the box, and then the fun of all the updates.

[coastie65]

RobertKoAodziej, on 28 May 2012 - 07:54 AM, said:

Can someone please explain how having those discs burned is legal? I need them for reinstalling OSes on customer's PCs where they have the product key, but lost recovery partition or whatever and I need media to reinstall. I thought it is against copyrights to own Windows CDs without actually purchasing them?

It's probably fine as long as you have a legitimate Product Key. You are not in essence, purchasing the OS, but a license to use it.

[LiveBrianD]

Fyi, use the license key on the bottom of your computer, NOT the one that key finders find. In my experience, that's the only way to activate the copy of Windows that came with the machine using a vanilla Windows disc.

[LiveBrianD]

klkl, on 01 February 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

are there links to iso files for xp and vista too? (there are many of us not on windows 7 yet)

I haven't found any existing links (I don't think XP was ever officially distributed as a download), but I made my own and posted them here, in case you're wondering. https://skydrive.liv...255851B37%21155 Note: For the license key that came with a big-box machine, use the OEM links.

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 28 May 2012 - 02:07 PM