How to Download Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 Installation Media — Legally
You can reinstall Windows from scratch using the product key that came with your PC, but you’ll have to find installation media yourself. Microsoft offers free Windows ISO files — if you know where to look.
These tricks let you reinstall Windows without visiting a shady BitTorrent site and downloading ISOs that may be filled with malware. These links give you official installation media straight from Microsoft.
Note: depending on the OEM version of Windows that you are running, you will sometimes have an issue using the OEM key with a retail version of Windows, but you can always install and then call Microsoft and get them to straighten it out and allow your copy to activate. The most important thing is that you have a valid license key.
Windows 7
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Windows 7 ISO files are available for download from Digital River, an officially licensed distributor of Microsoft software. These are the same ISO files you’d get if you purchased a digital copy of Windows 7 online.
This isn’t an officially supported way to get Windows 7 installation media — Microsoft won’t recommend this trick — but it’s worked for years. If Microsoft didn’t want users doing this, they’d have disabled access to the files long ago. This won’t help you pirate Windows 7, anyway — even if you download Windows 7 and install it on your PC, you can’t use it for more than 30 days without entering a genuine product key.
Some people report that the Digital River links sometimes go down, but they usually seem functional. Try again later if they don’t work.
We’re linking to the English “Windows 7 SP1 Media Refresh” ISO files here. These are Windows 7 installation discs with Service Pack 1 and additional updates built-in. The x86 files are 32-bit versions, while the x64 files are 64-bit versions:
- Windows 7 Home Premium x86 SP1
- Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
- Windows 7 Professional x86 SP1
- Windows 7 Professional x64 SP1
- Windows 7 Ultimate x86 SP1
- Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
After downloading one of the ISO files, right-click it in Windows Explorer and select Burn disc image to burn it to a disc. To install Windows 7 from a USB drive, use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool to put that ISO file onto a USB drive.
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