Win7 ISO image

derekimo · 23 Feb 2016

It says right on the download site,

Follow these steps to download Windows 7

This product requires a valid product activation key for download. Enter the 25 character product key that came with your product purchase in the field below. Your product key is located inside the box that the Windows DVD came in, on the DVD or in a confirmation e-mail that shows you purchased Windows.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...nload/windows7

Which seems to point clearly at a retail service.

Layback Bear · 23 Feb 2016

Thank you Sir John for the information.

So if I understand correctly that the Microsoft sticker on the store bought computers will not work.

That is exactly what I wanted to know. You have tried them yourself.

Thanks again.

z3r010 · 23 Feb 2016

Layback Bear said:

So if I understand correctly that the Microsoft sticker on the store bought computers will not work.

Correct.

Layback Bear · 23 Feb 2016

I would of tested it myself but I have never owned a store bought system that came with anything installed. I have no way of personally doing the test.
Thanks.

mjf · 23 Feb 2016

z3r010 said:

Layback Bear said:

So if I understand correctly that the Microsoft sticker on the store bought computers will not work.

Correct.

Well I'm left in the position I've always held - I'll believe when I try it. If I questioned this in the past I would have been stoned to death :).

I'm left wondering why COA stickers were ever placed on mass manufactured PCs (Acer, HP, Sony etc). The end of Windows 7 is less than 4 years away now so maybe it's a moot point.

Layback Bear · 23 Feb 2016

I think it's a good question Michael. We know what it use to be used for. The tutorials on this forum can attest to that.
Because John has done the testing all we know now is the Sticker COA key is a mystery and it can't be used with the new Microsoft download site.

derekimo · 23 Feb 2016

It's there to be able to reinstall clean, it has to have a product key unique to the machine for that.

Layback Bear · 23 Feb 2016

It surly would be needed for a clean install if one had a clean copy of Windows 7 to install.
I'm think that the best place to get a proper ISO of Windows 7 would be Microsoft.
These people with store bought computer can't do that. That's a shame.

derekimo · 23 Feb 2016

Everybody got used to the free access to the downloads, but they have never held the position that they provide support for the OEM's computers.

I don't disagree with you though, there should be a more available access for anyone wanting to do clean installs.

z3r010 · 23 Feb 2016

derekimo said:

Everybody got used to the free access to the downloads, but they have never held the position that they provide support for the OEM's computers.

TBH MSFT have never provided free downloads, the digitalriver ones were just there because somebody knew the url's.