Windows 7: Question about ISO's

This may sound like a dumb question, but is an ISO of Windows 7 with sp1 that you download from a website the exact same thing as a Windows 7 disk that you'd buy in the box at a store? If not, what is the difference?

Depending on which website you download from, the difference could be that one is genuine with a valid Product Key and the other is an illegitimate copy with no Product Key.

Assuming that you are talking about a legitimate copy downloaded from an authorized website then there really isn't any difference, the ISO is a digital copy of the Win 7 install disk. Once you burn the ISO image to a disk, it's the same disk you would have gotten in the box from the store.

The difference is the disk and the Product Key used to activate it.

However I would only use the official ISO with SP1 from MS website or their fulfiller Digital River. If you have a legit reason to need one we will provide the link.

Yep, as long as you obtain the .iso file from the legitimate source. If so, and you use a valid license key, you have the same thing.

As mentioned, theres no difference if purchased from a legitamate source.

Personally, I always buy from the Microsoft store, and download the ISO. Then burn to disc. I no longer purchase a hardcopy from the store.
I typically burn to a LightScribe disc. That way my copies still look quite nice.

Not that the MS store is the only legitimate place to get it, just my personal prefrence.



If you are NOT getting it from a legit source, then NO. They are NOT the same. Illigetimate copies have things removed and/or added that do not belong. Which may very well cause harm your computer and/or put your personal information at risk.

May be illegitimate. I suggest you to purchase from Microsoft stores only.