Solved Can I Download Windows 7 replacement ISO (Legally)

[Forkbeard]

I have a perfectly legit Win7 installation and the official activation code sticker stuck to the side of my PC, but have lost my disk. Can I get a replacement from the net?

 

[UsernameIssues]

The link in the first post of this thread worked for some people:
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/381397-windows-7-sp1-oem-iso-microsoft-site.html

 

[Forkbeard]

Thanks for the link but it didn't work. Oh well, worth a try

It says it something about contacting the device manufacturer. I am the device manufacturer! Or the builder at least.

 

[Digital Life]

I have not tried it but I found this page on Microsofts site

If you need to install or re-install Windows 7, you can use this page to download a disc image (ISO file) to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD.

Before You Begin

• Make sure you have:
  • Your Windows product key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx).
  • An Internet connection (Internet service provider fees may apply).
  • Sufficient data storage available on a computer, USB or external drive for the download.
  • A blank USB or DVD (and DVD burner) with at least 4 GB of space if you want to create media. We recommend using a blank USB or blank DVD, because any content on it will be deleted.

Source:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows7

 

[wben353]

I have a legitimate copy of Win7x64 that I downloaded from Digital River before M$ closed the site uploaded to My Google Drive account. Would you like the link?

 

[Forkbeard]

I have a legitimate copy of Win7x64 that I downloaded from Digital River before M$ closed the site uploaded to My Google Drive account. Would you like the link?

That would be brilliant, thanks. Much appreciated.

 

[Forkbeard]

I have not tried it but I found this page on Microsofts site /snip

Thanks, but that's the one I tried. It's saying that the Microsoft key I entered was one from a pre-installed machine. Which is just plain wrong; I built the machine and bought a new OEM disk to go with it.

I don't understand how or why they're differentiating between an OEM and a retail copy. Either way I have a valid serial/disk. MS really annoy me with this stuff...

 

[NoelDP]

MS discontinued the Digital River links back in February.

Since you got the OS from an OEM - because of the OEM COA sticker - your only legitimate source of replacement media is the OEM.
If you are the OEM, you should take more care of your media

 

[Forkbeard]

Solved: Found one, thanks for the help anyway .

 

[DavidE]

MS discontinued the Digital River links back in February.

Since you got the OS from an OEM - because of the OEM COA sticker - your only legitimate source of replacement media is the OEM.
If you are the OEM, you should take more care of your media

Noel, a curiosity question

It seems downloads are now available for folks that purchased an OEM license for a home-build/custom-build.
What does the "COEM" mean ?
Is that a new acronym, and license consideration ?
Look at this post:
http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...-using-new-win-7-pro-sp1-d-2.html#post3148970

 

[NoelDP]

I've never heard of 'COEM' before? - and it's the first time I've heard of MS offering downloads for OEM build.
Perhaps the number of complaints has finally got to them?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Commercial OEM (COEM)

Source


edit: I had never seen (or maybe never noticed) the term before.
I went looking for an old reference to it is see how long it has been in use.
This PDF...
https://partner.microsoft.com/download/Malaysia/40180876
...does not mention Windows 8.
I guess that dates the COEM term a bit.

 

[NoelDP]

Hmmm - seems to be a Win8.1 thing perhaps they downmarketed it to Win7 for OEM installs from MS?
The license terms there are a very-much-simplified version of the standard OEM System Builder terms.

 

[UsernameIssues]

See page 4 of the PDF that I linked to in my edit. It uses the letters COEM, but does not explain them.

The table on page 12 of that PDF stops at Windows 7. I took that to mean the PDF was made before W8 was released.


Hmmm.
Page 9 of this PPT about Windows Server 2003 uses the term:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/2/f/e2fd541a-ea3a-47cc-b8f8-82e3e8bb9fc1/SBSLicensing.ppt

 

[NoelDP]

OK - so it seems to be a generic all-embracing term rather than a specific one (i.e. it includes OEM_COA_NSLP, OEM_COA_SLP and OEM_SLP and any other OEM variant that MS dream up)

 

[DavidE]

Thanks UsernameIssues and Noel for the info, much appreciated.
Can't rep you right now UsernameIssues

Anyway, this seems like a good change for people that might need a legitimate ISO and have an OEM license.

 

[boeingaviation]

So it is a full copy of windows as I found its the same disk size as my original OEM disk, and it works the same the only thing I noticed is that it has a little "EN" on the top left corner of the screen at the welcome screen, and also when you shut down. That's the only difference I found.

Anyway good on Microsoft for allowing windows 7 users even with OEM keys to download & updated version.

 

[crookedbandit]

newb here with a question : tryin to do a "repair" install instead of clean install ,have oem win7 pro x86 added sp1, ie11 an tried to repair,
sys says that I have a newer version than the oem, I've been all over ms website an can't find a free download of same sys I'm tryin to repair , can someone "steer " me in the right direction ? ms website sent me to msdn to join for over 2grand for win 7 copy (ain't happening!) so I need a little help , Ive been all over this site but can't seem to get it (info overload) don't have windows.old (guess it got cleaned out w/disk cleanup) suggestions? help?