Install Windows7 on a new Hard Drive without a Windows CD?

anken · 04 Jan 2018

Hi, I'm glad to have found this forum and hope to find an answer to my question.

I have to replace the hard drive on my Toshiba Satellite. It had Windows 10 on HDD before it died.
My Satellite originally had Win7 on it, before Microsoft made me change it.
Since I will have to start from scratch, I prefer Win7, which has the product key on the bottom of my laptop. Win7 came pre-installed and I don't have the CD for it.
I know that I have to format the new drive first and then I should change the boot sequence in Bios.
My question: How do I download Win7 when I probably can't go online until Windows is installed?
I made a set of 5 Recover CD's when I first got this laptop many years ago but I would prefer just to get some kind of start up and download Windows from there without all of the other stuff on those Recover CD's'
Is there a way change the boot up and download Windows 7 on a brand new hard drive?
Thank you in advance for any suggestions you might have.

Snick · 04 Jan 2018

Hi anken,

Here's a link to Microsoft download page for a Windows 7 ISO click here. You'll have to have your 25 character product key to download. Attached is a VB script that will locate that on your machine. After you run it, you can copy and paste your product key it finds into notepad and print it for safekeeping.

Here's a link to Microsoft Download tool. You'll need product key here too. You can download Windows 7 ISO and burn it to a CD or USB. Slower than above but simpler for you to use.

Remember to obtain and store your 25 character product key in a safe place prior to attempting to install Windows 7

Here's a link to installing Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums - Seven Forums

SIW2 · 04 Jan 2018

TechBench

This makes all editions available from any official windows 7 iso.
eicfg_removal_utility.zip

AddRAM · 05 Jan 2018

The Microsoft Link given in reply #2 will not work to download an Iso file because you have an OEM key.

You have to go to another computer that has internet service to download the Iso file, use this site to get the W7 version you want.

Every Way to Download Windows 7 ISOs, Legally and for Free | PCsteps.com

Windows does not fit on a cd, you need a blank dvd and a dvd burner, or use at least a 4GB flash drive and a simple program like Rufus to create a W7 usb installer.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

And a simple program like Free Iso Burner to burn the Iso file to dvd. Burn the dvd at the slowest possible speed given, use the drop down menu to change the speed once you have the Iso file chosen and the blank dvd in the tray. (very important or you may end up with a corrupt install dvd) usually x8 speed depending on the dvd burner.

Free ISO Burner

No you can't change the bootup and download a new W7, you have to install W7.

After you create a W7 installer, insert it in the dvd tray or usb 2.0 slot and restart the PC. Then start pressing the (F8) key to bring up the 1 time boot menu (not the Bios) then choose either the dvd installer or usb installer you created to start the install, there's no need to make any changes in the Bios.

Clean Install Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

Megahertz07 · 05 Jan 2018

Replace the HDD with a SSD. You have no idea how a SSD can improve the performance.
You can use a small SSD (128G) for windows and programs and a HDD for data.
There are ODD replacement cases to hold a HDD on a laptop.
Replace your Optical Drive with a 2nd HDD/SSD : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

Universal 12.7mm SATA 2nd HDD HD Hard Drive Caddy Adapter For Laptop CD DVD-ROM Optical Bay, HP, DELL, Thinkpad, Sony, Toshiba, ASUS, Fujitsu, Acer etc. - Newegg.com

AddRAM · 06 Jan 2018

Very sound advice.

SSD 850 PRO 2.5" SATA III 256GB Memory & Storage - MZ-7KE256BW | Samsung US

Quick before it goes back up to $139.99

anken · 07 Jan 2018

Thank you so much for everybody who has taken the time to answer my question.
In the meantime I got my new replacement hdd shipped and it turned out that it doesn't fit.
The very last digit on a long serial number was incorrect. Will have to send it back for replacement...When the new hdd comes in, I'm going to try some of your suggestions. MS does not recognize the OEM product key. Got in touch with Toshiba and they claim not to have the specific product key. I can buy the startup disk from them...for $35.00 ):

torchwood · 07 Jan 2018

ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO PAY

SIW2 gave you a link in his earlier post

create a bootable USB and import the download onto it.

once you've got your new BLANK drive just fire it up.

Roy

Megahertz07 · 07 Jan 2018

Please explain

anken said:

In the meantime I got my new replacement hdd shipped and it turned out that it doesn't fit.

The new HDD didn't fit the Laptop Disk bay?

The very last digit on a long serial number was incorrect. Will have to send it back for replacement...When the new hdd comes in, I'm going to try some of your suggestions.

What are you sending back, the new hdd? The serial number on the COA sticker has nothing to do with the HDD. Did you buy a Win 7 installation disk?

MS does not recognize the OEM product key. Got in touch with Toshiba and they claim not to have the specific product key. I can buy the startup disk from them...for $35.00

Is the product key the one on the COA sticker?

anken · 07 Jan 2018

Thank you. I had to leave suddenly and couldn't finish my post.Sorry...
I have tried the link to the download,but it didn't work for me. It loaded a "search.hloginnow" instead. Have not been able to get rid of it yet. Couldn't find it in the registry either... Must have done something wrong. Will try again when the correct hard drive comes in.
The MS Windows COA Sticker on the bottom of laptop is the one that Microsoft will not honor because it's an OEM key. Toshiba will only "sell" me start up disk. Very disappointing.
Anyway, thank you for the link. I will try it again. Most of all, thank you to everybody!