Windows 7 Clean Install Download site has changed! Why is that?

[DiracDeBroglie]

Hi,

A while ago I've done a Win7 clean install following the instructions in:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

Under point 1) there is the link from which one can download the Win7 ISO file, put it on a DVD/USB medium, and perform a clean install. That way one can get rid of all the OEM's bloatware which sits on the HDD after having bought a new computer.

A few months ago the link in 1) took me to:
Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life
where I could download the SP1-U version.

However, currently the link under 1) takes me to a completely different site:
Dell Community
and that site doesn't offer the SP1-U version anymore!

Why was the download site changed in the link?

Regards, Johan

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Not sure why the link was changed (The admins will have had reason) but the ISO's on that site are the updated ones anyway. If you check the x__-____ codes they match the U versions on MDL

Danny

 

[DiracDeBroglie]

The Clean Install Win7 ISO files are suppose to come from a company called Digital River. Assuming the company still exists, isn't there any direct link to the website of Digital River where users can download the ISO files from directly?? As it is now, it looks like the ISO files are being put on blogs and discussion forums; I'm not all too sure how safe that is in terms of malware. I'd prefer to download the ISO files from Digital River directly, or even better, from Microsoft's website directly---in the assumption MS provides any links to clean install Win7 ISO files. But the question is, what are the links to those ISO files?

johan

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

They are links to the digital river downloads, if you don't want to use those just download them directly from the digital river site, they are still there - Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

You cannot get them direct from microsoft without a subscription

Danny

 

[derekimo]

Both places still direct you to Digital River, the official site, I'm guessing it was replaced with Dell since it is a more easily recognized site.

 

[whs]

The Digital River site is still there: Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

 

[DiracDeBroglie]

I got my doubts that Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life would be a site from Digital River.

In the mean time I've found the following interesting link:
Windows 7 Digital River direct links: Multiple Languages; X86 & X64 - Page 60

The links that point to a list of ISO files are on the site http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net and that site---although I am not 100% sure---is probably from Digital River itself.

Nonetheless X17-58997.iso which I need seems to be on both websites.

Just for your info, different ISO files with the same name, does not necessarily mean that the underlying ISO content is 100% the same. Therefore I prefer to download from a site which is as close as possible to Microsoft.

j

 

[gregrocker]

The forum's Admin expressed a preference for the Dell Downloads as a more legit site than MDL, as an addendum to the decision to allow the ISO's to be linked here.

We need to watch the link however since Dell links tend to change frequently while MDL has stayed stable.

I believe the Dell downloads are mirrored from DR directly too.

 

[DiracDeBroglie]

The ISO files seem to be coming from a server at -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- (without the "-"). However, the website of Digital River, Inc. is -www.digitalriver.com- . On -digitalriver.com- I've been searching for anything that could have a relationship with Windows 7 downloads or -digitalrivercontent.net- , but nope, nothing, nada, niks, rien. It looks like there is no relationship whatsoever between, on one hand, -digitalrivercontent.net- (or Win7 ISO downloads) and, on the other hand, -www.digitalriver.com- .
I find it very strange that on the website of Digital River, Inc., that is, -www.digitalriver.com-, there is no reference to Windows 7 ISO downloads.
I've sent an email to DR, Inc. about the issue but until now I haven't received any reply yet. I just hope DR, Inc. is still operational in the normal sense!?

Regards,
j

 

[derekimo]

I'm not sure what you are trying to confirm, Digital River Digital River - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Is the official e-commerce source for Microsoft among other companies,

Have a look at the very bottom of this page here,

Microsoft Store Online

You will see it says, "This site is hosted by Digital River"

All those ISO's previously linked for you are on Digital River servers.

If you are looking for some kind of store front on Digital River, you won't find it.

Those links have been provided for convenience downloads since most OEM's do not come with install discs.

 

[DiracDeBroglie]

The point is that -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- raises some (serious) questions about security and safety.

With all those ISO files, -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- is an ideal platform for distributing malware. Cybercrime is a very serious issue nowadays and I'm a bit surprised that people, and ICT folks especially, just download ISOs from that site without asking too many questions. For all I know millions of computers could be hit already by sophisticated and nearly undetectable malware from that site. Are people, including ICT folks, really *that* naive and not ask any questions about the site?

Who owns -digitalrivercontent.net- ? And can anyone proof the ownership of the site?
In case something goes wrong, who is then responsible and liable for any damage coming from ISOs on -digitalrivercontent.net- ? Is it Digital River, Inc.? If yes, give me proof.

In the case -digitalrivercontent.net- would be a source of malware, it is very likely that Digital River, Inc. will just walk away and will not be held responsible because there is no mentioning of -digitalrivercontent.net- on -www.digitalriver.com- ; there is simply no relationship between -digitalrivercontent.net- and Digital River, Inc.

j

 

[derekimo]

Sorry mate, can't give you any proof.

If you want 100% secure you'll have to acquire an install DVD from a reputable retailer.

These are convenience links, if you are not comfortable with them, by all means don't use them.

 

[Britton30]

I've used the iso from Digital River and the Dell site with no issues. Don't use it if you think it's compromised.:huh:

 

[Urthboundmisfit]

The point is that -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- raises some (serious) questions about security and safety.

With all those ISO files, -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- is an ideal platform for distributing malware. Cybercrime is a very serious issue nowadays and I'm a bit surprised that people, and ICT folks especially, just download ISOs from that site without asking too many questions. For all I know millions of computers could be hit already by sophisticated and nearly undetectable malware from that site. Are people, including ICT folks, really *that* naive and not ask any questions about the site?

Who owns -digitalrivercontent.net- ? And can anyone proof the ownership of the site?
In case something goes wrong, who is then responsible and liable for any damage coming from ISOs on -digitalrivercontent.net- ? Is it Digital River, Inc.? If yes, give me proof.

In the case -digitalrivercontent.net- would be a source of malware, it is very likely that Digital River, Inc. will just walk away and will not be held responsible because there is no mentioning of -digitalrivercontent.net- on -www.digitalriver.com- ; there is simply no relationship between -digitalrivercontent.net- and Digital River, Inc.

j

SEC Form 10-K

On September 1, 2010, we announced an amendment of our agreement with Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) to extend the term of the Microsoft Operations Digital Distribution Agreement through October 31, 2013. On August 30, 2010, we entered into the Microsoft Store USA statement of work with Microsoft whereby we will build, host and manage Microsoft® Store, an e-commerce store that supports the sale and fulfillment of Microsoft and third party software as well as consumer electronics products to customers in the United States. On March 2, 2011, Digital River began providing e-commerce hosting and payment processing services in connection with Microsoft Store. In addition to Microsoft Store, Digital River maintains its role as a reseller of Microsoft products via Digital River’s existing online stores. Currently, we are providing commerce services, ranging from transaction and payment processing, to e-marketing, digital downloads and fraud prevention in support of some of the popular Microsoft software titles, including Microsoft© Office. The global arrangement incorporates digital fulfillment across multiple geographies, including North America, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Australia.

Whois DigitalRiverContent.net - Digital River Content

Registrant:
Digital River, Inc.
10380 Bren Road West
Minnetonka, MN 55344
US

Domain Name: DIGITALRIVERCONTENT.NET

Digital River, Inc.
10380 Bren Road West
Minnetonka, MN 55344
US
952-253-1234 fax: 952-253-8497

Record expires on 23-Oct-2015.
Record created on 23-Oct-2006.

 

[DiracDeBroglie]

I would feel a lot more comfortable with downloading something from DR,Inc. if DR,Inc. would publish ALL their domain names (including -digitalrivercontent.net-) on their website (-www.digitalriver.com); that is just a matter of showing some corporate governance and transparency towards potential customers.
The fact that -digitalrivercontent.net- is nowhere to be found on DR's website feels like DR is trying to reject any responsibility with respect to the content on -digitalrivercontent.net- .
j

 

[Britton30]

Sorry mate, can't give you any proof.

If you want 100% secure you'll have to acquire an install DVD from a reputable retailer.

These are convenience links, if you are not comfortable with them, by all means don't use them.

I've used the iso from Digital River and the Dell site with no issues. Don't use it if you think it's compromised.:huh:

As said....

 

[hatzie55]

The point is that -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- raises some (serious) questions about security and safety.

With all those ISO files, -msft.digitalrivercontent.net- is an ideal platform for distributing malware. Cybercrime is a very serious issue nowadays and I'm a bit surprised that people, and ICT folks especially, just download ISOs from that site without asking too many questions. For all I know millions of computers could be hit already by sophisticated and nearly undetectable malware from that site. Are people, including ICT folks, really *that* naive and not ask any questions about the site?

Who owns -digitalrivercontent.net- ? And can anyone proof the ownership of the site?
In case something goes wrong, who is then responsible and liable for any damage coming from ISOs on -digitalrivercontent.net- ? Is it Digital River, Inc.? If yes, give me proof.

In the case -digitalrivercontent.net- would be a source of malware, it is very likely that Digital River, Inc. will just walk away and will not be held responsible because there is no mentioning of -digitalrivercontent.net- on -www.digitalriver.com- ; there is simply no relationship between -digitalrivercontent.net- and Digital River, Inc.

j

DigitalRiver.com is a very old software distribution and e-commerce payment provider. Microsoft and many other software vendors use them for e-commerce.

Do a WHOIS lookup... DigitalRiverContent.net is registered to DigitalRiver.com

DigitalRiver.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools
DigitalRiverContent.net WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info - DomainTools

 

[hatzie55]

...

 

[gregrocker]

I believe MS owns Digital River which is nonetheless their official software distribution site and likely well protected.

After the Win7 ISO servers were recently down we learned the downloads were being transferred to Azure servers.

We have been working daily with these ISO's for their entire life and never heard of any infection.

 

[DiracDeBroglie]

Azure servers?? Were would those be physically located? China? India? Europe? New-USSR (Russia)? or ... maybe US???
Soon I will have to perform a Clean Installation of my setup again.
So, just for our information, what is then the current web link/site for downloading Win7 ISOs?
Kind regards,
j