Lost your Windows discs? How to get replacement media, legally

[nlneilson]

HI, on a command line typing systeminfo gets this:

ACER-PC
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultima
6.1.7601 N/A Build 7601
Microsoft Corporation
Standalone Workstation
Multiprocessor Free
acer

00426-OEM-8992662-00010
7/19/2016, 7:55:09 AM
8/5/2016, 12:35:55 AM
Acer
AOD270
X86-based PC
1 Processor(s) Installed.

I something else is needed let me know how to get it.

Thanks for the help.

English US 32 bit

Neil

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Looks like TechBench has been took down
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench

If it ever comes back online we might be able to help
Otherwise I suppose you're stuck with this site to get an iso
https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Here ya go site just changed,
Win-7 ultimate 32bit
http://software-download.microsoft....1470496407&h=3b706714f6842cdaea64f0d08946cf87

Win-7 ultimate 64bit,
http://software-download.microsoft....1470496407&h=37cc646ca801d19f6b2e6572c6c62157

 

[nlneilson]

Thanks ThrashZone


I got the 32 bit downloaded.

I will do a google search to find out how to use it unless you have a link that explains it.

The Acer will not even boot up.

Neil

 

[nlneilson]

A previous post mentioned it was time critical, is that just for the download or is that for the time to use the iso?

Neil

 

[derekimo]

A previous post mentioned it was time critical, is that just for the download or is that for the time to use the iso?

Neil

Just the download, the link expires 24 hours after generating it.

Once you have it it's good for as long as you have it.

 

[nlneilson]

Thanks derekimo for the information, I have it downloaded on another computer and also saved it to a 64GB flash drive used to save stuff.






I found this page/link

How Create a USB Flash Drive Installer for Windows 10, 8, or 7


How Create a USB Flash Drive Installer for Windows 10, 8, or 7


I 'made' the usb flash drive with the 32 bit ISO downloaded from the link thrash provided

I reset the boot path.
Starting the Acer with the flash drive inserted the flash drive light blinks
but it just starts the 'Windows repair'

On a command line dir shows the files. setup is not a recognized command.


What needs to be done to reinstall the Win7 OS ??

edit: I had to go through the routine of setting up the USB twice (two times).
Then the little Acer started the install which it is doing now.

Neil

 

[nlneilson]

Also I think the Windows key # is stored in the registry and will be picked up and used by MS, is that correct?

 

[nlneilson]

I finallt got Win7 installed again after 6 or 7 attempts. This post is from the little Acer with the reinstalled Win7.

Thanks for all the help.

Neil

 

[nlneilson]

Also I think the Windows key # is stored in the registry and will be picked up and used by MS, is that correct?

Apparently the keys are in the registry and a free app to retrieve it is:
Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder.


Also google SLMGR and slmgr.vbs/dlv or just type that in a command line with admin privilages

 

[z3r010]

Showkeyplus is a much better tool for retrieving the product key - Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

 

[gonzal13]

Velocito Micro able to obtain from MS the ISO

Use Belarc advoisor, it shouls show you the activation code for your windows.

I also had toe original DVD from Velocity Micro

With this inforemation I contacted Microsoft and they provided my ISO

Using a nopther program and my DVD external drive, I changed the boot from the Hsd to the external dvd drive.

I had two choices: One is to reinstall MS but it would have taken me about a month to rework every thing else. The other opportunitity I had was 'an uipgrade' I clicked on this option, the PC rebooted and allowed me to upgrade my windows.

 

[GoldenDog]

Microsoft provides FREE replacement install media at https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download

 

[Brds7t7]

Microsoft provides FREE replacement install media at https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download

You have to provide a product key on the MS site to download. Unfortunately even legit product keys sometimes don't work on there. I've tried it myself with a store bought 7 Ultimate retail version and it said it was an invalid key. They should just allow the download without the key, same as Windows 8.1 and 10. But MS doesn't want to make things too easy for 7 users!

 

[RoWin7]

...or 10 users. If your product key didn't work, I would suggest joining the mydigitallife.com forum and asking for help there. You must join to read the posts there.

 

[Brds7t7]

My product keys all work to install/activate, some just don't work on that site. Not sure why, but a few people reported that it wasn't working for them a few years back.

The heidoc download tool in post #38 works fine without a key anyway, so there's no need to use the MS site to download a Windows 7 ISO. I have all the ISOs for all Windows versions, so never needed to use the MS site. I only tried it to test if my keys worked... and some failed!

All my keys are legit store bought Retail versions though, so there's obviously something wrong with MS own site.

Windows 8.1 and 10 users don't have to enter any product key to download though.

 

[erpster4]

I've tried it myself with a store bought 7 Ultimate retail version and it said it was an invalid key. They should just allow the download without the key, same as Windows 8.1 and 10. But MS doesn't want to make things too easy for 7 users!

Did the Win7 Ultimate retail version you bought come with a DVD disc?


and yeah, MS certainly isn't making it easier (almost darn right impossible nowadays) to obtain Win7 ISOs form the MS site lately unlike in years past - and eventually MS may shut down & pull the Win7 ISO downloads from their site (which would be another kick in the groin for W7 users)

 

[Brds7t7]

Yes all came with discs. All legit (I can spot a fake windows retail box from a mile away! ).
Some legit keys just aren't recognised on that site, and a few others mentioned they had issues with their keys too.

I'm sure they will pull them at some point. So get downloading while you can. Luckily I still have all the ISOs going back to Windows 95.

 

[jim davis]

Most OEM manufacturers will have a utility to create a recovery disk if they don't provide any with a new machine. It may not be installed on the new machine when first bought but can be found at their support site. If your new desktop or laptop comes without any it's a good to look into that option.

My Dell Optiplex 745 XP was previously owned by a honest comp school, they legally up graded it to a W7, so my side license sticker is for XP, tho i have W7, I want to make a CD R "Image Copy" or on a flash drive, of the New W7 image, how do i or do I even need to get a license # " of my new W7 program" to make a disk back up

I have not even been to dell yet to see if they still even give a back up utility out as stated above, but it would be wonderful to just erase my W7 once in a while to clean out junk, and reinstall W7 clean and fresh Thanks and be sure to wear your winter Coat

 

[SIW2]

JIM davies


Which of these is it?
https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/opti_745techspecs.pdf

Backup the activation SEE HERE

Then you could reinstall fresh windows7 ( Skip when it asks you for a key ) and restore the activation after you get to the desktop.