For years, Microsoft allowed us to download Windows 7 ISOs through their content delivery partner, Digital River. On February 2015, the company decided to take those links down. Thankfully, there are a couple of ways to download Windows 7 ISOs, legally and for free, either by using Torrents or a free app that provides links straight from Microsoft.
Unblock any international website, browse anonymously, and download movies and Mp3 with complete safety with CyberGhost, just for $2.75 per month:
Why do we need to download Windows 7
Many of us bought our copy of Windows 7 pre-installed with a new desktop or laptop PC. More often than not, though, the box didn't contain a full Windows 7 DVD.
Usually, we would get a "recovery disk" or a recovery partition, to reinstate the operating system to its default settings. But this would also restore all the third-party bloatware and crapware the manufacturers include. Remember Superfish?
The ability to download Windows 7 ISOs is essential for anyone who wants a clean Windows installation for their PC. It is also handy if we misplaced, lost, or destroyed our original disk.
How is it legal to download a Windows 7 ISO?
When we buy a copy of Windows 7, we don't get a special installation DVD. Every DVD of a particular version - e.g. Windows 7 Home Premium x864 or Windows 7 Professional x64 - is identical to all the others.
What we buy is the unique 25-character product key. We will find it as a sticker on the retail Windows 7 DVD case. Or, with pre-installed Windows, stuck underneath our laptop and on the side of the PC tower.
With this product key, we can install Windows 7 using any disk of the corresponding version. No matter where we got the Installation DVD, we will end up with legally activated Windows 7 on our PC.
We can even download Windows 7 as an ISO from the shadiest torrent site. As long as we are using our genuine product key, the Windows installation will be 100% legal.
Where can I find the Windows 7 product key?
If our Windows 7 PC didn't have Windows preinstalled and doesn't have a sticker, we can use special applications to get the Windows 7 product key.
Some apps will even work in cases where we can't boot into Windows, as long as the hard drive is functional.
Just check out our guide on how to find the Windows product key.
Microsoft giveth, Microsoft taketh away
Even though it would work, downloading Windows 7 from questionable sources is never a good idea. For all we know, the ISO could contain a host of malware: rootkits, trojans, keyloggers; you name it.
That's why it was a big deal that Microsoft allowed us to download Windows 7 as an ISO through Digital River. We could download Windows 7 and be sure that the ISO was clean and untampered.
And then, in early February 2015, Microsoft decided to take down the Digital River ISOs, for good. Sure, they have set up the Microsoft Software Recovery website, the "official" way to download Windows 7.
However, to download Windows 7 through this site, we need the product key of a store-bought, retail version of Windows.
In case we have a desktop or laptop computer with pre-installed Windows 7, we own an OEM Windows 7 License. And Microsoft's website, for reasons unknown, won't let us download Windows 7 ISOs with a valid OEM product key.
So, as OEM owners, what are we supposed to do? Steal a disk? Beg friends and strangers for a Windows 7 DVD?
According to Microsoft, we should order a physical replacement disk, wait a couple of weeks for the delivery, and pay the shipping and handling fees. Not exactly an ideal solution.
The clean ways to download a Windows 7 ISO
The good news is that whatever goes up on the Internet, never really goes away - for better or for worse.
The German mirror http://mirror.corenoc.de/ has done an exceptional job gathering the Digital River ISOs and uploading them as torrent files. They have all the different English versions and even a few in other languages.
Download Windows 7 Torrent
To download Windows 7 using a torrent file, we will need a torrent client. In the example, we will be using the popular torrent client qBittorrent.
Any torrent client will work, though, such as uTorrent / μTorrent or BitComet. So, if you already have a torrent client, you don't need to install qBittorrent.
With a torrent client installed, we only need to download our preferred version's torrent file:
- Windows 7 Home Premium x86 (32bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: 0afa9359c62dc7b320205d3863c60385
SHA-1 Hash: 6071b4553fcf0ea53d589a846b5ae76743dd68fc
- - Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: da319b5826162829c436306bebea7f0f
SHA-1 Hash: 6c9058389c1e2e5122b7c933275f963edf1c07b9
- - Windows 7 Starter x86 (32bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: c23c9cecee7e3093acfe00faab7091b5
SHA-1 Hash: e1653b111c4c6fd75b1be8f9b4c9bcbb0b39b209
- - Windows 7 Professional x64 (64bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: ed15956fe33c13642a6d2cb2c7aa9749
SHA-1 Hash: 0bcfc54019ea175b1ee51f6d2b207a3d14dd2b58
- - Windows 7 Professional x86 (32bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: 0bff99c8310ba12a9136e3d23606f3d4
SHA-1 Hash: d89937df3a9bc2ec1a1486195fd308cd3dade928
- - Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (64bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: c9f7ecb768acb82daacf5030e14b271e
SHA-1 Hash: 36ae90defbad9d9539e649b193ae573b77a71c83
- - Windows 7 Ultimate x86 (32bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: 2572274e6b0acf4ed1b502b175f2c2db
SHA-1 Hash: 65fce0f445d9bf7e78e43f17e441e08c63722657
The torrent file is just a few kilobytes in size, and it will download immediately.
Please note that the MD5 Checksums and SHA-1 Hashes refer to the Windows 7 ISO, not the torrent file.
How to use the torrent file
With a correctly installed Torrent client, we just need to double-click on the torrent file, which will start the application and will ask us where to download the ISO file.
Depending on our internet speed, and the available seeders, the ISO file should download in a few minutes.
How can I trust that the Windows 7 ISO is clean?
As we mentioned earlier, downloading Windows 7 from questionable sources is never a good idea. So, since a random German mirror site isn't exactly a reputable source, how can we be 100% confident that these ISOs are clean and safe?
Fortunately, Microsoft can help with that. You see, these ISOs are the same ISOs we could download if we had an MSDN subscription. And Microsoft provides the SHA-1 checksum for the ISOs downloaded by MSDN subscribers.
We just need to visit this page, where we will find the relevant information for all the Windows 7 ISOs.
We just need to look for the version we downloaded using the torrent file, and click on "Details". For the example, we will be using Windows 7 Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (x64).
- Ignore the Product Keys and Download buttons; they won't work without a 1000$+ MSDN subscription -
We know that we have the correct version from the ISO filename.
To confirm that the ISO we downloaded is 100% clean, we just need to compare Microsoft's SHA-1 checksum with the ISO file's checksum.
For this, we will use the free MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility.
This app requires the .NET Framework 3.5, and Windows will prompt to install it if we don't have it already.
Apart from the .NET framework, the app is portable, and it doesn't require an installation. We just run it, click on browse, and select the Windows 7 ISO.
Make sure to select the Windows 7 ISO and not the torrent you used to download the ISO.
Depending on our CPU speed, calculating the checksums will take a couple of minutes.
On the MSDN page, we select the SHA1 checksum and copy it.
We paste it on the Verify Hash with Generated Hash field on the app and click on Verify.
The "SHA-1 Hash matched" message means that these Windows 7 ISOs are 100% identical to Microsoft's ISOs, and not a single byte is different.
How to download Windows 7 straight from Microsoft
Torrents are an excellent way to download large files, but they are not for everyone. If you don't have a torrent client and are not keen on installing one, there is an alternative way to download Windows 7 straight from Microsoft.
What's best, this way will allow us not only to download Windows 7, but also Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and several versions of Microsoft Office.
The Windows ISO Downloader from Heidoc.net
Firstly, we need to download the latest version of the Windows ISO Downloader from Heidoc.net. As of this writing, the version is 4.36, updated on May 12th, 2017.
The app is about 1MB and it will download instantly.
VirusTotal gives the app a 100% clean bill of health. But feel free to test the latest version yourselves on VirusTotal.com or with the antivirus app you use on your PC.
How to use the Windows ISO downloader
The Windows ISO Downloader is a portable app, that does not require an installation. We just open the app, and we are good to go.
The app is particularly easy to use, even for completely novice users. Firstly, we select the version of Windows or Office on the upper right-hand corner...
Then, from the main window, we select the edition that matches our product key. For most users with preinstalled Windows 7, the correct version is Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 COEM, or Windows 7 Professional SP1 COEM.
After we hit the "Confirm" button, we get to choose the Windows 7 language. Our product key will work on any language available.
Once we confirm the language, we get the option of downloading either the 32-bit or the 64-bit version of Windows.
These buttons and the subsequent links will only work for 24 hours from the time of creation.
You should note that the download happens straight from Microsoft's servers.
On a fast ADSL or VDSL connection, the download will take approximately 20 minutes.
If we want to use a different browser or a download accelerator, we can get the download links from the "Copy link" buttons on the right.
We can then paste the link to the browser or app of our choice.
What's next: Creating a Windows 7 DVD / USB and Installing Windows 7
On our next guide, you can see how to write the Windows 7 ISO on a DVD or a USB, to use it for a Windows installation or reinstallation.
Also, if you need help installing Windows 7, check out our detailed guide:
Install Windows 7 from USB or DVD as a beginner.
Are you interested in downloading other versions of Windows?
Windows 7 is a fairly old operating system. If you are interested in downloading a later version of Windows, check out our guides:
Download Windows 8.1 ISOs, Legally & Free from Microsoft
Download the latest version of Windows, for Free
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Elias Nass says
congrats for the english version,are you planning to add the Q & A section to this site just like in the greek version?
Angelos Kyritsis says
Thank you, Elias. Yes, I will create a Q&A Section, probably with a different plugin.
Got stuck when tried to mount new motherboard. Found out it did not have IDE connection, the plan was otherwise to use any dvd reader on the outside to install windows7 from purchased cd copy. So I tried usb external dvd reader which hung claiming it was short of drivers. The german site supplied the iso image and folowing your advice the installation finally was succesful. /
I'm looking at 2 ISOs for Windows 7 Home Premium here:
1. en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_620851.iso
2. en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso
Not sure what the _u_ means in the second one.
I think the _u_ version is a Media Update version, that has a number of Windows updates incorporated.
The "u" version is updated with media refresh. Use this one, it's more recent.
"The good news is that whatever goes up on the Internet, never truly goes away - for better or for worse."
That is what I was hoping to finally hear!! If this works it will be a godsend. I'll download the correct version and try to install on a fresh hard drive with my OEM license key. Wish me luck.
Good luck, tell us how it went.
Worked fine, it accepted the license key and installed, then I had to reinstall all the drivers and finally had to call and do the automated system to get Windows activated.
They tell us to speak to the OEM. Bit difficult when the pc manufacturer went bust a few years back!
Yes, Microsoft loves to send us to the OEM, as if it wasn't their convoluted licensing system that created the problem in the first place.
So, I am planning on building a pc and I still need the OS. Should I use this torrent as a bootable usb or do you think it wont work or it will break?
It definitely works to create a bootable USB disk.
Hi. How do i find product key for Win 7 Home Premium 32-bit? Now i'm on XP and wanna move to better.
Hi Aida. You need to buy a Windows 7 license, there is no legal way to get a key for free.
You can buy a license here https://www.pcsteps.gr/Windows_7_32bit
Hi I have an OEM Key for Windows 7 Home Premium, when tried to use the recovery system in Microsoft they said I had to contact my manufacturer because I have OEM key, so I went to check Acer and I have a new HDD so I don't have my Recovery thign or whatever when I put my ID they directed me to buy a eRecovery Disk and I don't want to pay for that and then I found this, so I want to download en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso and I have some questions:
Is this the correct download? for Home Premium OEM key
Is this genuine download?
Will I be able to activate my OEM key with this?
If so everything will be complete and I will get my genuine back?
Is it English version of Windows?
Hi Takitta,
Yes, the en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso is genuine and it will activate with your Home Premium OEM Key. It is the English version o Windows.
Hi all,
Very encouraging article but I would like some comment on what I'm trying to do please. I am a Mac man but I'm sure you won't hold that against me!! At the ripe old age of ?0 I'm taking up an old hobby, SWL, but with an SDR and a dongle. Some of the more complex programs are Win rather than Mac so I've got to move. Before I decide on my birthday present, a bespoke PC, I want to try out some of these programs by virtualising a PC, more than one in fact, on the Mac so I can compare them. I'm in NJ for two weeks and have the use of a PC running Wn 7 and had hoped to use the restore facility for a bootable USB or DVD to virtualise. No joy as the article above points out so the methodology also above is just what I need. My idea is to do as much as possible on the Mac, download the ISO, check the check sum etc purely for convenience. (the mac will work in PC formats) because the PC is so full of crapware (I've spent hours trying to get out of registry cleaners etc) that enough is more than enough! Is this doable? and where might things get a bit messy?
Thanks again for the article and I'll look out for the next installment! Regards john m
Hi John,
You won't have a problem installing the home premium ISO for a 30 day trial with Boot Camp.
If you haven't tried it before, see Apple's guide: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201468
sorry, address is gabaial-soft@yaho.co.uk
Hi John,
You won't have a problem installing the home premium ISO for a 30 day trial with Boot Camp.
If you haven't tried it before, see Apple's guide:https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201468
Very, very nice job guys. I am astounded and ecstatic I found this page. I never even thought about looking for a torrent. I was locked out of my Admin/User from some sort of pass. issue and I have tried to reset it using many utilities. Even Falconfours utility would not re-enable the Admin. I lost my Win 7 disc and of course I am now using my outdated and extremely slow laptop to create all these utilities and search for fixes online. Been a really fun 2 days for me. I am so grateful for you and your site, it saved me! Thank you so much and awesome job. You guys are my favorite!
Thanks man. Have you checked out our guide to reset the Windows pass? https://www.pcsteps.com/1075-gain-administrator-access-windows-password/
hi,i want to download win7 without service pack
Hi. Unfortunately there are no ISOs without SP1 that I know of.
May I ask why you want Windows 7 without the service pack?
Awesome work man!
Thank you, Amit!
Angelos, are these torrents for the OEM versions of Windows 7 or are they the retail versions?
Hi Ed. They definitely work for OEM product keys. They will probably work for Retail product keys too, but you can download Retail ISOs straight from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery
OK, thank you.
The Link for Windows 7 Home Premium x86 (32bit) SP1 is not working.
It si giving a Google Drive App is not available error.
Can you provide any location from where the same can be downloaded?
Weird, it's downloading fine for me.
Try this one, it's on a different Google Drive Account: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9WMEng0qdewb1RjcGNxUDhETFk/view?usp=sharing
The Link for Windows 7 Home Premium x86 (32bit) SP1 is not working.
It si giving a Google Drive App is not available error.
Can you provide any location from where the same can be downloaded?
you can mail me the link at myselfamey@gmail.com
The Windows 7 Home Premium torrent download link is giving the following error:
Google Drive
The app is currently unreachable
Hey bro... I normally install windows 7 with Parallels on my Mac, but I get the following:
hey bro… I normally install windows 7 with Parallels on my Mac, but I get the following… What can I do?
Hey Nicolás,
When you get this message, are you logging in with the Guest account, or you get it with any account?
Also, have you tried with a Windows version other than Starter? Starter is a cut-down version, that has a number of limitations.
Why is no one seeding?
Which version are you trying to download?
English, win 7 home premium x64
There are currently nearly 50 seeders, from all over the world.
Did you have problem just with this torrent, or other ones too?
http://i.imgur.com/NJUbq27.png
Probably something blocking my utorrent then.
Please ! I need to find an OEM version of 7 Home premium PT-PT...
My english sucks and Micros doesn't help me and HP says that does not support a 2,5 years old laptop -_-
Unfortunately, there are no PT-PT ISOs I can find for Home Premium.
Why don't you install the English version and change language afterwards? https://www.pcsteps.com/880-windows-7-language-change-any-version/
Thank you so so much. Have an asus laptop and had to replace the hd. No OEM disks.Thanks again.
what happens if I install this via Bootcamp without a valid license? I'm trying to use an old key from a retail Windows 7 disc I bought in 2010. But, when I check that key via http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery i get the "Unsupported Language Error" message. If I install this, will I end up with a "trial" version if they key doesn't work.
Yes, the home premium versions work for 30 days as a trial.
I'm getting no seeds as of right now.
Same, using win 7 ultimate 64bit
I left it on all night, and seeds magically appeared!
Hey I was just wondering if i use this and put in my product key and it activates, will i be able to download windows 10 update that would be out in a few days.
If you have a product key, you can use the beta version, so I would assume so.
Yes, you can upgrade to Windows 10.
Didn't quite understand what you mean by "When it's done, we double-click on the file entry within the program, and paste the original MD5 checksum.
If we get the "same" notification, we 're golden. The ISO download was perfect, and with no corruption whatsoever." WHERE and WHAT is the "original checksum?
Didn't quite understand what you meant by "When it's done, we double-click on the file entry within the program, and paste the original MD5 checksum.
If we get the "same" notification, we 're golden. The ISO download was perfect, and with no corruption whatsoever." WHERE and WHAT is the original md5 checksum?
Hi Olga.
The original Md5 checksum is the series of letters and numbers below the download link.
http://i.imgur.com/c51yeI0.png
Copy this, paste it in the app, and if they are the same, it means the ISO has downloaded without any corruption.
if you are getting 0 seeds/peers, remove the demonii.com tracker xD
I'm worried about viruses and keyloggers and such :( what's the risk in downloading one of the ISOs?
Those are the original Digital River ISOs. Digital River is the content delivery partner of Microsoft, so essentially they are straight from Microsoft.
They don't contain an activator, you need to have a legitimate product key to activate Windows.
There are 0 seeds and 0 peers for Windows 7 Home Premium x86 (32bit) SP1
Try a different torrent client, this often does the trick.
forgive me for being a little skeptic, but i can dl these torrents without using a vpn without trouble? id rather not deal with anything i dont need to, as i have an OEM key. just worried that my isp would get in a tiffy for some reason or another ;; cheers!
There is nothing illegal going on with those ISOs since they don't contain an activator. You will be perfectly fine downloading them.
Just did the SHA-1 for Home Premium x64, and it didn't match yours. It did match your SHA-1 for Starter x86, oddly enough. Is this a mix up, or did the hash collision of a lifetime just occur?
Good catch, there has been a mix-up. Thank you for pointing it out.
downloaded windows 7 ultimate 32 bit, and verified download. Q - during the download will it give the option to upgrade or will it install complete which I would have to save everything and reload programs.
I have not tried to upgrade a "lesser" version such as home premium or professional, but I believe it is possible. You should start the installation from within your current version of Windows.
Nice work.. question is the (en_windows_7_ultimate_n_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677543.iso) from digital river also? because the latest from digital river says its the (X17-59465.iso)
Yes, it is from Digital River. The N version is the European version of Windows, that doesn't have Windows Media Player preinstalled.
Awesome description & Well drafted details. Thanks for the work Angelos:)
Thank you very much, Sandeep!
just to clarify - the download will give the option to upgrade? MY VERSION IS WITHOUT THE N (en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677543.iso)
Maybe it's better to download the en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5a3-XqdbHe1R3RZWlp0UTY3RnM/view?usp=sharing
do i need a key-code for the product?
Yes, you need to have a product key.
Where can I get a Key-Code for my version of windows?
You can buy one from Amazon https://www.pcsteps.com/Windows-7-Home-Premium , or from any other retailer of your choice.
Thanks so much for providing this solution! I was in the same boat when it came to the Microsoft Software Recovery thing but this worked out great!
Good to know, Mark :)
is this ISO going to have a usable product.key?yes i have a product key for windows 7 on this now, only trouble going genuine.A 32 bit OS was installed by a well meaning freind and i had to reinstall the original 64 bit.
There is no product key or activator with those ISOS. Since you have a genuine product key, you can use that, and you will have genuine, activated Windows.
I will have to use this because Microsoft and Dell borked my AIO with W10.
Same here.
do these isos contain all or at least most of the latest updates or will i need to download them all after installation? with the disk i was using so far, i would get more than 150 available updates after a fresh installation, which are a hassle to sift through and install. also, installing 150 updates at once is just begging for something to go really wrong.
at least torrents from shady websites are constantly updated :)
They don't have many updates integrated. In the future, I will post a guide on how to integrate those updates to the Digital River ISO, for a clean and up-to-date installation.
So, this is a legal, normal, virus free, genuine copy of Win7? I was like the other ppl. I tried the recovery but since my laptop came with it preinstalled, I wasn't able to get the .iso
Yep. Since you have a product key on a sticker underneath your laptop, get the ISO, burn a DVD or create a USB and you 're good to go.
Ok. The torrent has been downloading for quite a while. Does it matter if its SP1, SP2 or SP3? I don't know what my PC uses to have, and the one you linked was SP1
Windows 7 only went up to SP1, there won't be another service pack.
The product key will work with both SP1 and non-SP1 Windows, so provided you download the correct version (Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate) you won't have a problem.
Hey! Thanks! It installed and is running on my laptop perfectly!
Awesome :)
windows 7 have product key also or is for free?
There is no such thing as a free product key. You either buy a product key or it is included in the laptop's price for preinstalled Windows.
The above ISOs require a product key to activate Windows.
Can I use this to upgrade to Windows 7 From Vista?
If you have a valid Windows 7 licence, yes, you can use this to upgrade from Vista.
So I can buy one online? Like I this it -
http://en.mmoga.net/Software/Windows/Windows-7-Home-Premium-32-64-Bit.html?ref=392¤cy=USD
I can't vouch for this particular e-shop, and I wouldn't trust so low prices. It would be best if you chose a reputable vendor.
i download the file and get the winrar type file . but i look at the top image your type file is disc image . how wrong i am . soo clueless right now.
The file is an ISO, you just have Winrar associated with the ISO filetype.
You can write a DVD or create a Windows 7 installation USB just fine, don't worry.
i just do the installation usb and it didnt work . its just copy the file in winrar . sigh
Did you follow this guide to install the USB? https://www.pcsteps.com/630-create-a-windows-installation-disc-or-usb/
Hi. Do you have Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64bit) SP1 in European Portuguese?
I 'm sorry, it's not available. But you can download the English version, and change language after the installation: https://www.pcsteps.com/880-windows-7-language-change-any-version/
Mr. Angelos, I'm LOVING your Site and am fowarding it to some of my friends. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Pedro, that's great to hear. I you want to see a particular guide, I am always open to suggestions.
If i try to boot frm my DVD drive will this iso file accept the OEM sticker activation key at the back of my lappy on that step without any problem????
The same key was not accepted on the Microsoft Software Recovery website...said contact ur manufacturer.
I really need a Win 7 disc since after the Win 10 reveal i got tempted to upgrade but what if i want to revert and something goes wrong , this disc would be handy.
Yes, those ISOs work perfectly with the OEM product keys.
Also, you can revert from Windows 10 to Windows 7 within 30 days: https://www.pcsteps.com/3934-uninstall-windows-10-revert-old-windows/
Wikipedia - Comparison of BitTorrent clients
In 2007, five BitTorrent clients were discovered to be Trojan horses that attempt to infect Windows with malware.[3][4][5] Those clients—BitRoll, GetTorrent, Torrent101, µTorrent,[6] and TorrentQ—are excluded from the comparison tables below. In 2013, Thunder Networking Technologies admitted that some of their employees surreptitiously distributed a Trojan horse with certain releases of Xunlei, the company's BitTorrent-ready download manager.[7][8] Xunlei is included in the comparison tables.
Yes, this is why we suggest qBittorrent, which is open-source and hasn't had any such problems.
Thanks so much Angelos. This is the most useful article on the topic I have seen. The German ISO site is also found only here.
I'm glad you like it, Erik.
"Afterward, we double-click on the file entry within the program and paste the original MD5 checksum."
Where did you get "the original MD5 checksum"
OK, the checksum is with the download link.
so for the english torrent of the windows 7 home premium there are 2 options. one of them has a u at the end of the name and one does not. what is the difference? why don't you explain that?
The u version is the media refresh version of the ISO. It is newer, and has integrated some updates that the non-u version doesn't include.
There is no reason to download the non-u version.
Any help if the product key has kind of rubbed off on the bottom of your laptop?
It's a long shot, but you could contact the manufacturer's support, maybe they can help you with your laptop's serial number.
ok my laptop is old but it can be upgraded to windows 7 is it possible that i can get windows 7 download without the disc on here cause its time for me to upgrade from vista
Those ISOs require a Windows 7 Licence. Without a licence, you won't be able to activate Windows. You can buy a license from Amazon: https://www.pcsteps.com/c70p
Very handy useful site. Thanks.
Thank you LeeJ :)
Will this work if I brought a computer with Windows 8 pre-installed? I need to use my computer for school but it seems my school system requirements are a bit out of date.
Unfortunately, it won't work, you can't use the Windows 8 product key to activate Windows 7. You will need to buy a Windows 7 License: https://www.pcsteps.com/c70p
You can also ask your school if you can get a licence for free, this is often the case for students.
But if I get that license I can use this link to download the OS? Maybe I'm confusing the instructions.
If you get a retail licence (which is a little more expensive) you can get the ISO from here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery
If you get a DSP or OEM licence, yes, the ISOs from this post are what you want.
Unfortunately Microsoft has made it confusing for everyone.
"Afterward, we double-click on the file entry within the program and paste the original MD5 checksum."
Where did you get "the original MD5 checksum"
I calculated it from the original Digital River ISOs before Microsoft took them down. Also, the German mirror has the same checksums.
Downloading an OS from a torrent? Sounds a bit risky. Is there a hash from an unquestionable source such as Microsoft or a site officially authorized by MS, like digital river was? I know you say you made the hash directly from the digital river ISO but, don't be insulted, I have no idea who you are or what this domain is.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the link, I will cross-check the SHA1 checksums and add them to the guide.
Thanks a million times. Very well written and on top of all very useful ! Thanks again !
I'm glad you liked it, Mike.
I downloaded win 7 home edition x32 u edition and tried burning it numerous times. It wouldn't read it on startup. Tried setting the same Iso up for usb installation and it wouldn't boot either. I got it from the link above. I even downloaded again and tried again to no avail.
Did you test the MD5 Checksum, to make sure the ISO isn't corrupted?
Also, did you test the DVD or USB to a second PC?
Well, what's strange is that the link for home x86 listed above has the matching md5 as the downloaded file I received, but it was downloaded from the German links list page. which shows a different Md5. So not sure what to make of it. Are those links above from the german site or if so, maybe this iso has the wrong Md5 listed on the German mirror???
No on testing it elsewhere question because i had no access to another PC. Will report back on that issue later.
At quick glance, it looks like none of the iso links on this page have the same Md5 as the German mirror. Kind of weird, but like I said, the German mirror file shows the Md5 that is listed on the links on this page, not what is on the German mirror.
I have here the _u_ versions, which are the latest ISOs. If you compare with that on the German mirror, you will see the MD5s are the same.
http://i.imgur.com/dsdtEdC.png
i tried downloading from the google drive >https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxu8unle-0U0bUxKeUJBQ1g3cTQ/view?pref=2&pli=1 you gave for windows 7 home premium 64bit and i used the same microsoft code for the hash thats on the site under the same name
en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549 and the files didnt match. their is nothing wrong with my computer hard drive nor is anything wrong with the non working computer hard drive it passed all test but had an error at f11 which was the recovery so after attempting to skip the recovery and do a factory reset the computer is saying install a cd and giving me error 0xc000000f so now im trying to install his original OEM which was microsoft windows 7 home premium i can still read the faded product key on the bottom of the computer but what about the hash not matching the md5? is that a bigger issue for me? is there anyway you can offer a different link for a different ios download? also the computer is a hd pavillion dv6-2158nr
Hi Jordan,
Did you compare the .torrent file you downloaded from Google Drive or the .iso file you downloaded using the torrent? Because the SHA-1 checksum is only for the ISO file.
I have used this particular 676549 ISO for the screenshots on the post, and you can see that the SHA-1 checksum is the same with Microsoft's.
hi when I go to burn it DVD or USB stick do I need all the anther file that come with it
Hi when I go to burn it to DVD or make it in to a bootable USB stick do I need to put all the file that came with the down load eg. boot , efi ,sources, support, upgrade, autorun, bootmgr, boomgr.efi and the setup or just the setup
can i use my windows 7 oem key from my laptop on a new pc i plan to build?
If you completely remove Windows from the Laptop and activate Windows by Phone on the new PC, you can use the OEM key.
is their a tutorial on this, or could explain the key points perhaps. thank you, your really helpful to a lot of people.
I will schedule a "How to transfer Windows" guide by the end of the week. I already have this guide on my Greek website, I will translate/rewrite it here too.
awe thank you
Hi Joshua. You will find the "Transfer Windows" guide here: https://www.pcsteps.com/4355-transfer-windows-activation/
Hello Angelos,
THANK YOU for all this info!
Needed it because I did go ahead and pay SH & H for the discs to get to me, yet the 2nd disc stops at 12%...tried 2x and waited for over an hour...so now i cannot even get into my laptop to recover anything as the disc partitioned the drive...lol ~ $18 wasted...thanks alot HP.
I have completed the DL of the torrent. I want to go to the next step to place the bootable file on a disc, but cannot access the site...says it is offline...any help?
Thanks
Ash
Reply to myself...uuummm, i just right clicked and burn image to dvd
Worked like a CHARM
Thank you again for all the great info!
I'm glad it worked for you, Ash.
Hello thanks for this, are you able to point me in the right direction. I'm looking for the newest version of windows 7 ultimate 64bit? Could you link me to it please?
Hi Jonjon,
From this torrent https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxu8unle-0U0QXo5Z2czdGJXbWs/view?usp=sharing you can download the latest version of Windows 7 ultimate 64bit.
Thank you so much for this, worked perfectly. Also thanks for your quick response. Keep up the good work.
Hello Angelos, I will probably reinstall Windows 7 on my PC using a W7-ISO file as mentioned. I have of course my 25-character product key. But I wonder: is it possible with that key (english software) to reinstall W7 but this time in french with a french W7-ISO? Thanks
Hi Pascal,
Yes, product keys work for all languages, you won't have a problem.
Thanks for your valuable help.
Hello Angelos, when I run the MD5 checker on 7 Pro, 64 bit I do not get a matching checksm. I get the following: 97948952DE667B789086EBBF320F3FAB Any idea what may be happening?
Hi Mike.
I re-downloaded and re-checked the ISO, and I am getting the correct MD5
http://i.imgur.com/VLrjPQF.png
Does your torrent client have a re-check option, to make sure the download wasn't corrupted?
Also, you can check your hard drive for bad sectors with Crystal Disk Info:
https://www.pcsteps.com/2530-predict-hard-disk-failure-crystal-disk-info/
Hello Angelos,
Do I need to buy a Product Key or is the ISO Activated already?
Hi Mark. You need to buy a product key, these are legal ISOs straight from Microsoft.
I have downloaded the windows 7 home premium 64 bit 3 times now. And each time the check sum is different. Any suggestions?
Hi Chris,
Most torrent clients have a re-check option, to verify the download, it might help.
You should also check your hard drive's health: https://www.pcsteps.com/2530-predict-hard-disk-failure-crystal-disk-info/
I can't find the verify option for Bitcomet. I have checked my hdd's health also. Should I try another Torrent?
The recovery disks from within Windows can't be used to reinstall an operating system, as far as I know. Unless Acer has a utility of its own to create such a disk that I am not aware of.
So upon some research. Bitcomet was not verifying the download. Tried Qbittorent. And the md5 checksum matched. Another thing I might add. Windows built in burner since Win7 has been flawed on many devices. It fails to burn ISO images. But now I'm realizing something else is wrong. I've tried 4 programs. Nothing is completing the burn. I've tested the burner by burning other programs to disks. Works just fine. Any ideas why the burn follows for the ISO?
It's interesting that BitComet doesn't verify the download. Thanks for the info.
When you tested the other programs, did you test with other ISOs (e.g. an Ubuntu ISO or something) or with plain data?
Have you tried burning the ISO on the lowest possible speed? This is sometimes important for operating systems.
I have burned at lowest speed for all the burners I've used.
I haven't tried any other ISO. What I am going to try is just move the file over to the computer. Mount the image. Then run it. I was speaking to Microsoft support yesterday. The tech gave me a full install of Win 8 pro. My key doesn't work for it because it's for an upgrade, but I think I can just run the Win 7 ISO and use the working key I have for it. So downgrade to upgrade haha.
Update: Mounted the ISO that had the matched m5checksum. Everything goes perfect till the final restart upon completion. Gives an error and says setup cannot finish till a restart is performed. And it just loops on it.
This sounds like a hardware issue. Combined with the multiple corrupt ISOs, it points to a hard drive issue, that probably Crystal Disk Info didn't detect.
It could also explain the failure to burn the ISO if the hard drive had trouble to fully read it.
You should create an Ultimate Boot CD http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ and check the hard drive with one or more of the HDD diagnostic utilities.
Hi, I am old and way out of touch...I would like to revamp my 32-bit XP into Windows 7, then 10...how should I proceed without having to lose my XP setup/data?
Hi dWardren,
First, if you don't already have a Windows 7 license, you need to buy one https://www.pcsteps.com/c70p. These ISOs are from Microsoft and won't activate without a genuine Windows 7 product key.
Before you change anything on your system, take a full Windows backup https://www.pcsteps.com/3057-full-windows-backup-image/ so you can fully recover in case anything goes wrong.
To create a dual boot installation, which will ask you which operating system to boot on startup, you just need to shrink the XP partition. You can use EaseUS Partition Master to shrink the partition. https://www.pcsteps.com/1785-easeus-partition-master-free-partition-manager/ . You should shrink it by at least 50GB to install Windows 7.
Finally, during the Windows 7 setup, you can select the Unallocated space on the disk https://www.pcsteps.com/2785-install-windows-7/. Windows 7 will automatically create the dual boot menu to select Windows XP.
It might look a bit complicated, but it's pretty straightforward. if you run into any trouble, leave a comment on any of the above guides, and I'll do my best to help.
Oh, don't forget to also look for Windows 7 drivers for your PC before you begin. Windows will probably automatically recognize most of the devices, but better safe than sorry.
Thank you, I have upgraded my two laptops to Windows 10, I also have a couple of "non-working" laptops with valid licenses...would any of those work...(not really sure I want to buy another license)?
Follow this guide to transfer the licenses from the non-working laptops, and you should be perfectly fine: https://www.pcsteps.com/4355-transfer-windows-activation/
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
hi Angelos, can you tell me what the different between en_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677332.iso & en_windows_7_ultimate_n_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_677543.iso?? what "n" stand for?
Hi kry,
The n version is the European edition of Windows. It doesn't have Windows Media Player preinstalled. Other than that, it's identical to the non-n Windows.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/what-is-windows-7-n-edition
Hi Angelos,
I have a Windows 7 64-bit Professional key which I bought using windows anytime upgrade feature in Windows 7 Home premium (64-bit). I need to install windows 7 professional on a new laptop. Will the upgrade key that I bought work with en_windows_7_professional_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676939.iso ?
If yes, then do I need to install windows 7 home premium first and then use the upgrade to windows 7 professional or can I directly install windows 7 professional using the ISO and the upgrade key ?
Thanks...
Hi harisvohra,
As I read here: http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/140595-Does-Windows-7-Anytime-Upgrade-allow-full-clean-install?s=1fc6f6a59380d282d6d2d7154938eaf4&p=817582&viewfull=1#post817582 you can't use the anytime upgrade key for a clean installation.
So you must install Windows 7 Home Premium first and then upgrade to Windows 7 Professional.
Aww, MS took their W7 ISOs down? :(
Is it ok that after downloading the file and after the qbitttorrent finishes downloading that the file is not a disc image file but a normal file because that's what happened to me
You probably have the .iso extension associated with another program, like WinRAR or something similar.
It doesn't matter, it still is an ISO file, and you can burn it to a DVD or create a USB.
Hello Angelos.
I came here only looking for sites that will have links to these downloads without torrents. Your method leads me back to the malware ridden torrent files (i'm just a little skeptical of how clean/legit those files are. So are you claiming that these particular torrent files are cleaner than the random windows 7 torrents?...
I just wanted your assurance of that before going ahead and downloading it.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Tarun
Hello Tarun,
You can cross-check the SHA-1 Checksums with Microsoft MSDN https://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/downloads/default.aspx#FileId=46598
This is the proof that these are the original, untampered Microsoft ISOs.
Soon I will update the guide to include Screenshots from the MSDN Checksums.
Hello Angelos!
I am wandering are these ISOs volume licensed ones or personal use(retail) ones?Also,can they be activated using the OEM keys with my PC that has windows 7 home premium 64 and I download and use the same version?Thanks in advance!
Hi Rick,
These ISOs will work for both OEM keys and Volume License keys.
As in the keys on the COA?Can,after installing this,it be upgraded to windows 10?Do they have all updates?
Yes, the keys on the Certificate of Authenticity will work. You can upgrade to Windows 10. The ISOs have a few updates, but there are about 800MB of updates to download. You don't need to fully update Windows 7 to upgrade to Windows 10, though.
hello! I have recently reformatted my Laptop (sony vaio -windows 7 home premium) but it was changed to Windows Ultimate .. Can i possibly return it to the previous windows version and use the Product key attached on my laptop?
Hi Anne,
Yes, the Home Premium ISO will definitely work with your product key.
Thank you very much! it worked ;)
Windows already comes with malware and spyware, the versions downloaded from other sources have this stuff disabled or removed. Look at windows 10, where it has an option to turn off the content monitoring, the ability of microsoft to terminate or remove software it feels you shouldn't have, or to delete files that it deems a violation of copyright, and that option does not work. I've seen this demonstrated. Windows 7 was the first nail in the coffin for microsoft.
Privacy is indeed a concern in Windows 10, but Microsoft will never use your credit card, like somebody who installed a keylogger on a torrented version could do.
Thank You ! Very useful post!
Hi, I have a peculiar issue with my desktop. I had OEM Windows Basic genuine with product key. When I tried upgrading to Windows 10, somehow it got changed to Windows Ultimate and now it is saying it is not genuine. I still have the original Basic DVD and key, but I am stuck with Ultimate. What do I do now?
This is indeed peculiar.
Since you have the DVD and key, the simplest solution is to format and reinstall Windows. Then, you can take a full Windows backup https://www.pcsteps.com/3057-full-windows-backup-image/ before attempting again to upgrade to Windows 10, so if anything goes wrong, you can easily revert to Windows Basic.
Thanks a lot Angelos!
so is this versions of windows clean i hope it dosent have malware and spyware... im downloading "Ultimate 64"
Don't worry, the ISOs are identical to the ones Microsoft used to distribute.
Hi Angelos, I'm planning to download windows 7 iso from the link you provided, and i'm going to install it on my MacBookPro 2012 with BootCamp Assistant, will that worked for me? Btw, i already have a valid OEM product key. Thanks!
Hi Zz.
I haven't tried this scenario, but I am sure you will be fine.
Are those full versions of Windows 7 or trials?
You will need a legitimate product key to activate Windows. Without a product key, the installation will work between 3 and 30 days, depending on the version (Home Premium is 30 Days, Professional is 3 if I remember correctly)
with the overtaking of windows 8 and the exile of wind.7 and xp has there been a major change in the x86 32 and the 86 64 with 2core and 4core processors
Windows 8 is a bit better on multitasking with multi-core processors, but there isn't much of a difference compared to Windows 7.
with a the interruptions of open sources there must be a major change downloads and what changes with the download managers? like you discussed some are clean and some have a missing file or interruption of not complete source download
I'm afraid I don't understand your question. Could you elaborate?
Buying the disk, offered 1-3 computers, then all computers had cooperate installations and registrar d online??? I'm trying to Up-Grade from XP Ho to win 7 HP
Did you buy a Windows 7 Home premium disk that supports three computers? I don't understand what you mean with "cooperate installations".
Have a ASUS with XP home, but the manufacturers dueled it now with Linux, I checked most win 7 downloads now and a lot are assisted with thes joint umbrella download managers? My real problem lyes with understanding if I have a Duel Core processor or single core for my advancement into wind 7 and 8 merger
I don't understand what you mean with "a lot are assisted with thes joint umbrella download managers", or with the "wind 7 and 8 merger".
Not just a original hard drive disk with a motherboard memory Image or sectioned HD as in finger printing analysis for Trials
I don't understand what you mean with "finger printing analysis for Trials".
Please, don't start a new comment thread for the same subject, just hit "reply".
are you using google translate? I'm pretty sure you are.
windows 7 will fit conviently onto a 4gb usb....install in 10 minutes....key you can get from anywhere.
Hello. I have a problem that I cant find a solution to. I have a toshiba satellite and it can with windows vista home premium preinstalled. I had some issues with it and took it to a local pc repair man. Whala...fixed. Later on, I had a trojan and other yucky things happen again. This time after numerous attempts to clean the pc, I decided to restore. Well, apparently, the repairman installed windows 7 home premium on my pc OR I did an upgrade. Either way, my pc now states my product key is not geniune and I'm running Windows 7 Home Prem on my pc now. In order to upgrade or DO ANYTHING with this pc I need to reinstall my Vista Home Premium version that came preinstalled. Fat chance at finding it online as windows is now moving on. I have one of the two restore cd's...disk 2 was damaged. How can I avoid purchasing another restore set? Am I able to download this iso and install? Will it also provide the product key necessary to run without issues or past any trial dates? Im so new to this and its confusing. Please help.
Hi,
Since the technician installed a cracked version of Windows 7, and you don't have a legitimate Windows 7 licence, these ISOs won't help you. They don't contain a product key or an activator, which would be illegal.
Your only free option is to download Windows Vista, which is a bit complicated, unfortunately. In the next few days, I will prepare a guide on how to download Windows vista.
Is windows 7 Home basic 64 Bit iso available for download
Unfortunately, I can't find this particular version.
Hello, I was just reading the posts, and saw this. The Windows 7 DVD actually contains all of the versions for the particular architecture (ie, a 64 bit DVD contains all of the 64 bit versions). All you need to do is create your USB installer, then go into the "sources" folder and find the file "ei.cfg". You can edit the file to install your desired version, or delete the file altogether and you will be prompted during installation for the version you'd like to install. You will of course need the product key for the version you choose.
Hi Dan,
Indeed, I knew that trick but I completely forgot about it. I have also used ei.cfg on Windows 8.1, to bypass the product key https://www.pcsteps.com/627-install-windows-8-1-without-product-key/
I will make a guide for this, thank you for reminding me.
Is the Windows version is full or just trial version ?
You need a valid product key to install Windows with these ISOs. If you don't have a product key, they will work between 3 and 30 days, depending on the version.
Hey I tried downloading a variety of these and they all seem to be offline (haven't even been able to download a single byte).
Have you tried with a different torrent client? Because it is downloading at full speed for me.
http://i.imgur.com/G26906j.png
try using a service call alldebrid. It uploads torrents to a repository and allows you to download it very quickly. Just get a free trial and you'll be set to go.
Hi Michael,
The trial for AllDebrid is only two days, it would be hardly useful. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.
Angelos- My machine is less than a year old and came with Windows 7 Professional SP1 x64 installed by HP. I have downloaded and burned your equivalent ISO to disc and want to clean install on my new SSD. I don't want to use HP's Recovery Media, due to bloatware you mentioned above. HP Support tells me that the COA license key on the case will activate. Could you please confirm this. If I am understanding your article above, it should.
Thank you, sir.
tim
Hi Tim,
Yes, your product key will work for the particular ISO.
Thank you for your reply, Angelos. This is a good thing you're doing here. I don't want to go to Windows 10 with all the security issues. :)
I need to reinstall a Lenovo Thinkpad Edge s220e. The license key says its for Windows 7 Pro OA. Will any of theese torrents work for me?
Yes, the Windows 7 Professional ISO will work.
Is a windows 7 original or not?
You need to already have a Windows 7 Product key.
These ISOs are straight from Microsoft and don't include any illegitimate way to activate Windows.
Hey i want to ask You again. My laptop windows 7 is cannot booting because my bootmgr is missing. So can i access with bootable usb to enter bios?
Yes, you can create a Bootable USB with these ISOs and boot from it
Check out this guide to create the USB: https://www.pcsteps.com/630-create-a-windows-installation-disc-or-usb/
Check out this guide to boot from USB: https://www.pcsteps.com/1508-change-the-boot-order-usb-dvd-bios-uefi/
Thank You. I will try it.
I Have sticker product key on my laptop OEM. Sorry to bothering you again. Because i still newbie. When i installed windows 7. Does a Windows 7 OS ask me to get a new product key again?
Just to be clear here these ISO will accept the COA on the bottom of your laptops correct (OEM)? Not to confuse between the Orange Product Key Found on Box Versions with COA's on the bottom of laptops and desktops. My Sony VIAO Disk 2 is Worthless and Sony does not have that Restore Library to send anymore plus Microsoft was no help at all. I need to restore my Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit for my Visual Studio Development Needs as a Testing System for programs I build. I must have this restore.
I haven't tried it on a VAIO laptop, but on every other brand that I have tried, Dell, Toshiba, Lenovo etc. it has worked with the product key on the sticker.
I am positive it will work for VAIO too.
For those of you that need a little more time to find you Box Key (etc) you can do the following:
1) Run Command Prompt (CMD) as Administrator
2) Type slmgr -rearm
3) You will get a message that Configurations were Successful.
4) Reboot your computer.
For Windows 7 Home Premium and Media you will get 30 More Days (you can do this I think 3 times).
For Windows 7 Pro and Ultimate you will get 3 More Days (you can do this I think 5 times).
I have never had to do them more than once so I'm a little fuzzy on the number of time for certain but you will for sure get more time out of doing so.
Best regards...
Thanks for the tip.
i've got a hp pavillion g7 and im running unbuntu on and i want to go back to the windows 7 home premium 64bit that it originally had, can this work? i have the product key still too.also my right click wont work even when i use a mouse connected to the laptop any idea what that may be ?
Yes, your product key will work with the home premium ISO.
If the problem with the mouse persists in Windows, let us know and we will look into it. It might be an Ubuntu incompatibility.
I'm just wondering if a windows vista product key will work for windows 7.
Of course not...a windows 7 pro key won't even work with windows 7 home.
What's the difference between the two x64 versions dvd_u_676549.iso and the other one dvd_620851.iso
The _u_ version is the media update version, it contains some Windows updates preinstalled.
I don't understand much about technology. I have an iMac and I'm trying to run windows on it using bootcamp. I had windows 7 on my old laptop. Can I download this and use the product key from my old laptop? Will I then be able to use this with bootcamp? This has all been causing a headache for me, all I want is to play some games on my mac that are only windows compatible. Help!
Hi Amanda,
You might have to activate Windows by phone to transfer the licence. Check out this guide: https://www.pcsteps.com/4355-transfer-windows-activation/
Other than that, these ISOs will work just fine.
Hi there,
I tried verifying the SHA-1 Hash as per your instructions but they don't match! I downloaded the ISO using a Mac and then transferred the file across to a Wndows PC to verify. Could the transfer cause the difference?
Many thanks.
OK! I think i've answered my own question! I download the ISO again on the Mac, transferred it to the Windows machine and the SHA-1 Hash didn't verify - in fact the number was completely different from the previous ISO i had downloaded.
I tried checking the SHA-1 Hash on the Mac and it outputs correctly - that is, that the SHA-1 is verified!
Word to the wise, verify the original downloaded file and not one that has been transferred/copied over!
Normally, a network transfer shouldn't change anything on the file, and the hash by extension. This might be a sign of errors on the Windows disk.
You might want to check the disk on the Windows PC for bad sectors: https://www.pcsteps.com/2530-predict-hard-disk-failure-crystal-disk-info/
Absolultely amazing!!! Thank you!
Glad you liked it, Nancy
after iinstalliing the os it will take to restart sys my sys is always restarting and going to innstall agaiin ad again i triied to install ..i installed more than 20 times
You have a hardware problem on your PC that creates a stop error (a blue screen of death) and makes the OS restart. It could be with the motherboard, the GPU, the RAM, the HDD, any number of things. You must take your PC to a professional to find the problem.
Awesome! Thanks so much for this. Digital River downloads going down was sad lol.
I have a question. I got windows 7 professional (32 bit) But I want to make it windows 7 (64 bit) So I downloaded the windows 7 professional (64 bit).iso and I can't open it. Am I doing something wrong? any help? Please and thanks :D
Hi Kyle.
Have you compared the SHA-1 checksum of the file with the one we provide, to make sure that the ISO doesn't have any corruption?
Quick question, the installation i got is a german version but i have an english key, will my windows still be in german after installation?
Hi Dan. If you use a German ISO, you will have German Windows, even with an English key.
But no matter version you can change the language to English after install. If ever installed windows - even if in German - you can figure it out. Try install first on Virtualbox to play with language
That's true, we have the guide right here: https://www.pcsteps.com/880-windows-7-language-change-any-version/
Thanks so much. I followed your instructions for downloading the Win7 ISO to create a bootable USB for a clean install. I have one question though. When I ran the Rufus utility, instead of a "Finished" message I got a "Ready". Not knowing any better I started it again with the same WIN7 ISO. On the log it appears to have been duplicated. Will that be a problem with the installation? And is the 2nd "Ready" message on Rufus intended for users processing multiple ISOs?
Rufus
does default back to "ready", which admittedly can be a bit confusing. You shouldn't have a problem, though, since it would have reformatted the thumb drive.
Thank you so much!!!!!! Extremely helpful and clear, followed step by step and solved my win7 re-install issues.
Hi Tom....glad it worked for you. May I ask if you downloaded the win7 x64 Home Premium iso?
I did and the checksums don't match
If the checksums don't match, you might have a problem with your hard drive, which would be more apparent with large files.
Have you tried downloading Windows on a 2nd hard drive or on another PC? You can also check your drive with CrystalDiskInfo: https://www.pcsteps.com/2530-predict-hard-disk-failure-crystal-disk-info/
Okay....RAW Values
Read Error Rate 158817194
Seek Error Rate 79612934
Spin Retry Count 0
That can't possibly be good! Yet Health Status = Good?
This is my daughter's PC which I've been using in order to get a bootable USB that I can use to clean install Windows 7 x64 in mine. Mine ended up in a Windows Recovery to factory setting closed loop. The last step of which is "System is starting services" which it can't do. Powering down, then up in safe mode, does no good. It just starts trying to "start services" again.
I know exactly why it can't install "all" services. If it would only install what it could then I could fix it.
The high read error rate could potentially explain the different checksum.
If you have an external hard drive, or a large thumb drive, you can try downloading the ISO there from your daughter's PC, to at least check if the disk is the problem.
Hi Angelos,
I am trying to get Win 7 Home premium, and was checking the SHA-1. According to MD5_and_SHA Checksum Utility The SHA-1 for the en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x86_dvd_u_676701.iso.torrent download is 445EE62E4270FAECD36275A0B7189B8D7A2A8029 whereas the article and MS states that it should be 6071B4553FCF0EA53D589A846B5AE76743DD68FC. What am I doing wrong?
My bad. I was comparing the torrent file, not the unconverted ISO file. All is good.
No worries, Gordon. Thank you for your input, in any case.
Hello, i clicked the link for windows 7 home premium 64 which took me to https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxu8unle-0U0bUxKeUJBQ1g3cTQ/view. once i downloaded from there and opened the download i was asked what i want to run the program with. i wasn't sure so i selected chrome. once i did that it opened a new tab and just redownloaded again. not sure what i am doing incorrectly.
Hey Angelos,
As we all agree, this is a great service you provide now that Digital RIver has been discontinued. This service came in handy when I had to reinstall Windows 7 Home Premium on my sister's PC and it worked fine after verifying the checksum, etc.
The day after the install, I got a message that the product key used (on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop, Gateway) is not the correct key, and to purchase a key or use the correct key!s
I re-entered the product key, verifying I am using the right combinations, and it did not accept it.
I can still use Windows. I even powered off and then powered on, and got the message a second time today, the second day.
Did I do something wrong? Thanks.
Hi Randy,
From your description, it sounds like the product key is blacklisted from Microsoft. Is there any chance it was used in more than one PCs simultaneously?
You should contact Microsoft support, to see if there is a problem with your key.
I will check on this and let you know. The "contact Microsoft support" is a feat in itself!
Hi Morgan.
You should install qbittorrent http://www.qbittorrent.org/download.php and use that to open the .torrent file.
This article is one of the most well written guides I've come across in a while. It helped me accomplish the task of reinstalling Windows 7 on a laptop that had it's hard drive previously removed. After replacing the hard drive, I was able to use this guide as well as your other guide "Create a Windows Installation Disc or USB" to download windows 7 onto a DVD disc and perform a successful install on the new hard drive. Finally, I used your guide "Windows Applications: 11 Essential Utilities for Any PC" to install the recommended applications, and now I'm up & running on Windows 7 with no issues. Your work speaks for itself so keep up the good work! Thanks a bunch!
Hi, for some reason the file stalls after 1% download and doesn't start downloading again. I've used all three torrent clients you've suggested and the same thing happens. Also I've tried it with home premium and professional as well. I can see the seeders, and everything looks to be in place for it to download, but it says error on it every time. And of course it doesn't give details about the error.
Any help? Thanks.
A very helpful article thanks
This is freaking AWESOME!!!
I have 2 Windows 7 products, 1 came as an OEM, the other I got for free from my university via Onthehub. Sadly for the first one, Microsoft doesn't allow me to download an ISO file, and the second one wanted me to pay $15 for a temporary(2years) key which I forgot to write down and $12 for an ISO file.
Guess now I can say f*** them all!
This is really AWESOME!!!!
I love you. This saved my sanity. Thanks!!!
So far everything has worked. I downloaded all of the apps. Verified the ISO for Win7 64 bit. I installed it over Win Vista. I used ProduKey and recovered the product key, but it didn't work. I can't get a verified Win7 product key and Win10 is downloading. Should I stop or keep going?
It's not clear to me, have you purchased a Windows 7 license? Because these ISOs don't come with a product key.
Upgrading over the trial version of Windows 7 will result in a non-activated Windows 10.
That's what I figured. Oh, well.
I am really excited about your article and the excellent step-by-step process you provide but am having problems downloading Win 7 pro x64. I am using qBitt, but the status shows 'stalled'. I tested it with another download and it worked fine (qBitt is buggy sometimes) so I know the program itself is working fine. There don't seem to be any seeders...is this possible? If so, do you have any other suggestions on how to download a clean copy that would work with OEM product keys? I had to reinstall XP on my dad's computer (he really wanted an obsolete game that I couldn't get to work on Win 7), but it is time to get that computer back on Win 7. I really don't want to resort to torrent copies as I am not sure how they will interact with legit keys. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance and great work!
Hello Angelos...several weeks ago i followed you instructions and sucessfully reinstalled Win 7 by obaining the torrent file, going through the checksum, making a bootable USB. Everything was fine. Now though, there are M'sft pop-ups. One suggests I'm a "victim of counterfeit software", another says "click here to activate", and there is a permanent message that says "Windows 7 Build xxxx. This copy is not genuine".
I've just ignored them since everything is working. It's a nuisance, but now it seems when the "victim" ploy pops up the machine freezes and I have no way to shut down except to turn off the power. That can't be good.
What should I do?
Hi Keith,
Did you have a Windows License and entered a valid product key during the installation? Because these ISOs do not include a product key or any kind of crack/key-generator/activator. You need to activate the installation with a valid product key.
Thanks Angelos.....yes, have the product key off the label of my PC.. It's just that 2 to 3 weeks went by before I even thought about it because I was never asked to input it when I reinstalled WIN7. So I should activate it even though it's working?
I was a bit reluctant after the run around I got from MS tech support over having a product key but they told me I had to go the OEM which was no help at all. The cynic in me after that experience said leave well enough alone.
Yes, since you are getting pop-ups, you must definitely activate Windows.
Right Click on Computer -> Properties and at the bottom of the "properties" screen you can add your product key and activate Windows.
Hi; I'm downloading the Win7 Home premium 64bit via torrent and i have some questions seeking your advice
1) My current laptop ships with a pre-installed Win7 32bit Home premium and as i check the product key has a XXXX-OEM-XXXXXXX-XXX. Is it that the OS i'm having is OEM type?
2) I read on Microsoft website that a product key for 32bit can be used for 64bit if its of similar OS type, do you think my OEM product key?
Thanks a lot. Super great article you have here.
Hi Kelvin,
Yes, you have an OEM product key, and it will work for both 32bit and 64bit Windows home premium.
Thanks Angelos
I have a laptop with Windows Vista can i download Windows 7 for free and replace the Windows Vista
Unfortunately, no. You will need a Windows 7 Product key. Windows Vista product keys won't activate any other version of Windows.
Thanks
hi i have dowloaded win 7 ultimate 64 bit and i have xp and when i click setup it say that is not win32 file what can i do
Hi Yash. Check out this guide, it will take you through all the neccessary steps.
https://www.pcsteps.com/2785-install-windows-7-for-beginners/
Have you bought a Windows 7 License? Because these ISOs don't come with the license, you must already have a 25-digit product key.
The checksum/hash for the Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64bit) SP1 torrent file (from Google) doesn't match for me. Has it changed since the article was written? I used the checksum utility you recommended. Your site is great. Thank you so much.
Home Premium 64bit matches. Just checked it after downloading to my Macbook. (see attached screenshot).
Love you guys. This really helped me. I did not wanted to download some random window iso from torrent. I wanted original windows 7 from microsoft page. I like the idea of sha1 check sums, makes me sleep good at night.
Neither the checksum for the Windows 7 Home Premium x64 nor the x86 matched. Now what?
Did you check using the torrent file or the iso. You have to run the torrent file, then check the iso.
Thanks for confirming the checksums don't match, Herm. Let's hope there's an answer.
And Windows 7 Pro 64bit matches too. Again - Max OSX with SSD and a 200Mbs connection. By the way, I have no affiliation with this website. I just came across this article while looking for the ISOs for a tech friend.
I have windows 10 already will this work for me if i install it?.
The Windows 10 product key won't work to activate Windows 7, unfortunately. You will need a valid Windows 7 license.
My laptop came with windows 8 but when the update of 10 came out i upgraded. So you mean there's no way to remove windows 10 and put 7 back?. I am bored with W 10 i need something simple.
The best you can do is revert back to Windows 8. Very few Windows 8 laptops allowed downgrading to Windows 7, usually with professional editions of the operating systems.
Whatever you mean.... windows 10 is far better, its light and stable.... to each their own i guess.
I downloaded this: Windows 7 Professional x64 (64bit) SP1. And i placed it on a usb just like you showed it the next guide: https://www.pcsteps.com/630-create-a-windows-installation-disc-or-usb/. It work but i have one problem that i cant solve on my own.
The short version about the story goes like this: My school bought new computers and wanted to trow the (old) (just one year old) away. The reason for that was: the person that maintained the programming and software on those computers ran away with stolen money from the school. So i asked if instead of trowing it away, if i could have some. They said yes :). The only problem was that the security and passwords for the admin accounts (and other stuff like that) was lost. So i had to find my own way to crack it and reinstall windows. After a long time i somewhat cracked it and found the windows activation key with Again, the help of one of your guides and Lazersoft. Then i made a Windows installation USB and installed windows 7 again on the computer.
I noticed the problem when i pluged the LAN cable in so i could start updating it and just go on the internet. It could not connect to the internet with LAN(cable) because it had no Ethernet, LAN drivers or any other internet drivers. I could not find any drivers for the internet at all. It tried to install them from the internet but failed because t had no internet.
So, do you have some advise for me? Because i cant fix it and i have tried some things. I really hope that you can help me with this.
try finding offline installers for the drivers and moving them on to the pc with a flash drive. If you just install the LAN drivers, you should be set for installing the rest online
You can try running Speccy on the PC https://www.piriform.com/speccy - copy the program with a USB to the PC, or something - to see the model of the motherboard.
With the model, you can visit from another computer the motherboard manufacturer's site, find the drivers and download the Ethernet driver for Windows 7.
If you have trouble finding the driver, leave us a comment with the motherboard make and model, and we will help you find it.
I followed all directions listed and was able to successfully install and activate Windows 7 Home Premium. Windows update will not download or install any updates. Checksums matched prior to install, and I actually completed 2 installs with similar results. Any input on this?
Hi there. I'm one of these people that is trying to do an upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. So that brings me to two questions.
1.) Are the versions linked here able to do the UPGRADE, or can we only do CLEAN installs with this? I'm coming from Vista Home Premium 64 bit, so I know that I could only do the upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, and I wanted it to just be the upgrade that, frankly, I should have done YEARS ago.
2.) I know that I need to buy a licence for Windows 7. Fine with me, but does Microsoft even still SELL them?? Like, if I install this, is there an option for me to register it?
Thanks!
Hi Brian,
Yes, you can use these ISOs to upgrade Windows Vista. Just burn the ISO to a DVD or write it to a USB and start the setup from within vista.
Amazon still has about 20 copies of Windows 7 in stock: https://www.pcsteps.com/Windows-7-Home-Premium
Thank you for your reply. So your suggestion is to use the ISO to make my DVD, use THAT to do my upgrade, and then use the Licence from the Amazon product, correct? I ask this because the Amazon product you linked to says that it CAN NOT be used to upgrade from an older operating system, and that it requires a clean installation. So if I DON'T use their disk, but only use their licence code, I should be ok. Is that right?
I haven't tried this particular scenario, but it should be OK.
I am pretty sure that Amazon points that out as opposed to discounted upgrade licenses that used to exist when Windows 7 was still new.
Hi, I downloaded en_windows_7_home_pre…iso.torrent but after Iprepared a disk on key it installed win7 proffesional instead of home premium. any expplanation?
Hi Zeev,
You don't mention if you downloaded the 32-bit or 64-bit version. I begun an installation with both the 64-bit version and the 32-bit version, and they both install Home Premium.
http://i.imgur.com/2g1gwqK.png
Have you verified the checksum with Microsoft?
Please help me!! I just followed the instructions to revert from Windows 10 back to Windows 7. It appeared to go correctly, but when it was over my computer had no internet drivers. It cannot see my home wireless network or even an Ethernet cable. There is a Windows.old folder - can I get them back? Go back? Start over?
Hi. I have answered part of your question on your comment here:
https://www.pcsteps.com/2785-install-windows-7-for-beginners/#comment-2606622692
You just need to download drivers for your wireless adapter or the motherboard's ethernet. If you know the make an model of your Wireless adapter, post it here and we'll help you find drivers.
Hi there. I have a product key for Windows 7 Home Premium already as it came with the laptop when I purchased it but after about 2 years, I recently had to fully reset my laptop and my brother installed windows 7 professional to get rid of everything that was on here. The thing is, it isn't a genuine copy of windows so it keeps asking for a new product key so what I want to do is download home premium and make my computer "new" again. What I want to know is, is this a genuine copy of windows and will I need to ever enter a new product key and if that is the case, can I enter the product key I have on my laptop? What do you suggest I do?
I have tried to download windows 7 from the Microsoft site but whenever I enter my product key it gives me this message:
The product key you've entered appears to be for software which was pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options.
Find out if your old operating system (Home Premium) was 32 or 64 bit. Download the version you have the product key for, from the links provided above.
Then, create a DVD or a bootable USB thumb drive (there is a guide at the same website) and install Windows to your hard drive. You should be able to enter your product key when it asks for it and it will activate automatically.
Use ABR restore to get it from the bios dump
Hi, first of all I'd like to say thanks for providing such a useful set of links and a very clear step-by-step guide!
Unfortunately, I've downloaded two copies of Windows 7 Professional x64, once from the German site and once using the direct-download links in your original article, and when I ran the MD5 and SHA utility the result came up as "Hash does not match!" on both occasions.
Does this mean the ISO might be unsafe to use?
Is there a way to get .ISO instead of .ISO.TORRENT so I can run it on a VirtualBox?
From the torrent you download the ISO using a torrent client such as qbittorrent http://www.qbittorrent.org/
After that, you can run the ISO on a VirtualBox.
My bittorrent client (I'm using Vuze) seems to be having problems downloading the ISO. It opened the .torrent file ok, but it keeps getting "Error: Offline" messages. Do you know if there is anything going on with the servers, or can you shed any light on this? (I'm not a very experienced bittorrent user)
I just tried downloading one of the ISOs using qbittorrent, and it downloads fine. Give it a try, it's an excellent client. http://www.qbittorrent.org/
Hi Angelos, I downloaded qbittorrent and tried that, and the whole list of trackers say "Not Working", and the download says "stalled". I also tried the German version, and got the same thing, so I guess it is not the fault of the .torrent. Does that signify anything to you? I really appreciate your input. BTW, I disabled my security software briefly to see if it was interfering, but I got the same result.
Not sure if you got my reply -- I tried qbittorrent also, got trackers "not working", I'm trying to do some research on this, but to make a long story short, I am getting "the remote server refused the connection" in the qbittorrent log. If you can add any other suggestions, it will be appreciated! thanks so much.
Have you forwarded ports for use with your torrent clients?
https://www.pcsteps.com/1154-port-forwarding-router-windows-firewall/
Eureka! I tried Random Ports, and suddenly a couple of trackers came active; download successful! Thank you so much for your help, and for this post, I'm replacing my HDD with a hybrid drive, and I need all the backup I can get!
I'm glad it worked for you in the end. Good luck with the disk transfer!
The best tutorial ever! Thanks man, now i can safely downgrade to Win7 :)
Glad you liked it, Michael.
Do you have any available for windows 10. When I try to go from 32 bit to 64 bit windows 10, the media tool I used to create my dvd would not work.
In which way doesn't the media tool work? It won't download Windows at all, or it won't create the DVD? Have you tried creating a USB or just downloading the ISO, and then burn it with a different program?
Wait a minute, I have windows 7 ultimate 32 bit (student OEM) and I'm hoping I can use my product key to upgrade to the 64 bit version. Is that possible?
Yes, the same product key will work both for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.
Thanks, you're great!
Do you have a link to windows 10 64bit? Every time I use the media creation tool to burn the iso and try to install, it's always stuck at the windows splash screen.
Have you tried the ISO at another PC? This kind of crash could indicate a hardware problem with your computer, probably with the RAM.
I burned the windows 7 ultimate 64bit (the files that you provided) and everything installed flawlessly. I have 8 gigs of ram, but I don't know why I can't get windows 10 to install.
It might be some rare hardware incompatibility with Windows 10.
When I installed the file using utorrent, it doesn't turn into a disc image file it turns into winrar archive. Do I have to uninstall winrar in order for it to turn into a disc image file?
The file is still an ISO, it is just that Winrar is associated with ISO files on your system.
There is no need to uninstall winrar. Just go Options -> Settings -> Intergration and uncheck ISO.
sha1 for ultimate 32 bit dont match
tried again , does match this time
I installed windows 7 Home Premium. I installed completely, but it is asking me for a username and password . What to do?
Hi UzumakiPanda, sorry for the late reply.
Did you format the drive before the installation? Because if you didn't, you might just have reinstalled Windows 7 over a previous installation, and the previous username and password was kept.
See the detailed steps for installing Windows 7, in case you did something different:
https://www.pcsteps.com/2785-install-windows-7-for-beginners/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/get-cheap-windows-7-8-license-now-upgrade-windows-10-free/
Thank you, Donald, for the useful suggestion.
Hi Angelos
The checksum is not matching for the Windows Home Premium SP1 64 bit. I ran the CrystalDiskInfo check and everything looks good. I have only downloaded the .iso file, and not yet installed it because I wanted to verify it beforehand. Do I need to install it to get the correct SDA-1 hash? Forgive my ignorance- and thanks for your help.
Kevin
Hi Angelos
do you have a link to the torrent windows 7 64 bit in spanish?
Greetings,
I am dumb old lady who upgraded to win10 with no knowledge..have been told unable to go back win7 as all bits of it was deleted after 30 days. I hate this!!! I have no idea what I am doing but if I can download the win7 is it hard to reset to 5? Do i need to download other things first so I can get on like before? Sorry to sound so dumb, but I am thank you so much oh not sure what is wanted in website box
Windows 7 Home premium 64bit SP1 MD5 and SHA neither are matching
be careful people check what you're installing...! these don't match
Hi, I ran into a problem. The file name matches but the Hash doesn't (ran checksum to verify). This is the information given on this website >
Windows 7 Home Premium x64 (64bit) SP1
MD5 Checksum: da319b5826162829c436306bebea7f0f
SHA-1 Hash: 6c9058389c1e2e5122b7c933275f963edf1c07b9
This is the information given from MSDN >
MD5 Checksum: 827D787F7C6C860DF3143058F7E30DB2
SHA 1 Hash: 29CA32931026D33BB3914E1C986654898F43C274
Do you have an updated link or know where I can find one for Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1? Thank you.
I burned properly your iso from the german site for the win7 pro EN 64 bit, but attemting to boot from it directly displqys BOOTMGR is missing;
Hello, following your instructions, I used qbittorrent to download the iso for Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x86_dvd_u_676701.iso), but the SHA-1 doesn't match the MSDN site:
The MD5 & SHA Checksum utility gives me a value of "445EE62E4270FAECD36275A0B7189B8D7A2A8029", not the MSDN value starting with 6071B....
What could be wrong?
Torrent got no seed? Win 7 pro 64bit. Ooops never mind. its started now. took a few minutes.
Hi, thank you for making this article it is superb! Unfortunately I've ran into a rather major issue, in that having downloaded en_windows_7_home_premium_with_sp1_x64_dvd_u_676549.iso , the product ID for the Windows I'm running has xxxxx-112-xxxxxxx-xxxxx rather than xxxxx-OEM-xxxxxxx-xxxxx, meaning an OEM code will not work (much to my grief!).
Please advise as to how I should proceed, sending much love to all those who go out of their daily lives to help anonymous strangers online!
Hi Angelos,
I've been trying to install W7 on my laptop but the Hash 1- Hatch dont match...please help, many thanks
I mean SHA 1 -Hash dont match...sorry for the typo error...thanks
I have a problem with my computer system After a fresh install with a formatted hard disk, I am no longer able to listen to anything. My sound has gone missing. I know the sound is processed, as the music player shows activity in the form of a visual, but no sound. My main board is a Asus M3A78-CM. There are a few others on the net with similar troubles but no solution. I fear the installation of a SP1 based windows pro is the culprit as the whole thing worked prior to my installing a fresh copy with a SP1 included. I was using a Windows 7 professional. Unless I can find a solution to the missing sounds, I wanted to try a reinstall a ISO without a service pack included. Do you know of anywhere I can get a non sp1 iso of windows 7? Thanks if you can offer any help.
Mike....
Hey Mike all you have to do is download the correct driver for your sound chip on your motherboard!!! It will work just fine after that!!!
Hi can this also work if I need to upgrade from an older OS to WIn7?
You need to have a purchased Win7 license, there is no free upgrade from older OSes to Windows 7.
This is rather old but I am trying to verify the Win 7 Pro iso file I just downloaded. All of the iso files on the MSDN site have different file names, with higher numbers at the end of the string (I'm assuming newer perhaps?). Any ideas? Obviously since they are different files the SHA info will not match making the verification process impossible...correct?
Update: I couldn't find that exact file on the MSDN site but I did find it here (http://mirror.corenoc.de/digitalrivercontent.net/), along with the corresponding SHA-1 string. I will update with what I find.
Ah ha!! So the site I included in my last reply has the SHA-1, MD5 and a link to the listing on MSDN which I was unable to find. I matched the MD5 and SHA-1 one from the site I linked in the last reply...went to the MSDN file location and just to be certain copied and pasted that SHA-1 string into the checksum utility and bingo bango...it's a match! :) Super awesome, I am stoked...thanks so much!
I found a mirrored site that lists iso files and their associated SHA-1 strings and it does list the Win 7 x64 iso file that is linked in this article. Here is the site if interested http :// mirror dot corenoc dot de/digitalrivercontent dot net/
Will this work for a desktop that had a hard drive replaced? I lost my hard drive and got the operating system from dell. I get to the point where it wants to load to the patrician but it won't load to any of them. If I download a new version using my laptop can I install it on the new hard drive?
If you have the product key, you can install Windows on a new hard drive, no problem.
Hi Agelos,
I need to upgrade from Vista real bad, but every time I try to upgrade to windows 7 home edition it just keeps on searching for upgrade drivers to the installation for hours on end. I tried several times and is always the same thing.
Can you help with it?
Thanks a million!!!
Hey D,
Would you consider formatting the drive and doing a clean installation, instead of the upgrade? Because Windows upgrades are almost always messy affairs.
Of course, you will have to back up all of your files first, and after the installation reinstall all of your programs.
Check our guide on Windows 7 installation:
https://www.pcsteps.com/2785-install-windows-7-for-beginners/
This might help with the program settings:
https://www.pcsteps.com/2945-backup-program-settings-windows-format-transfer/
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Many thanks.
recently i installed windows 7 professional, but it is not working properly
Hi Michael,
We will need some more information. What kind of problems are you having?
FYI the MSDN page now needs a microsoft account login to access, and when logged in redirects to the visual studio website.
Once again, Microsoft making our life harder.
Thanks for the info, I will search if there is an alternate way to find the original checksums.
So wait do we already need to have our own product key or did I miss something somewhere?
Yes, you need to already have a product key, for it to be legal.
hello sir . Ty very much for this website . it really help me with my windows problem since the not genuine error came up when i try to update my windows 7 professional x64 to update (windows 7 SP1) . My question is , is it gonna have a problem when i try to download and use windows 7 ultimate using ur provided link ? I'm afraid the not genuine error will come out again ? Hope u can help me with thisproblem . Really appreciate it .
These ISOs don't include a product key, so you can't activate them to have a genuine copy. You need to already have a product key, or buy a Windows license.
What about having a laptop that already came with windows 7 originally on it but now wants to downgrade back to 7 will the product key on the laptop work for it?
Yes, the product key on the laptop will work.
windows 7 or any operating system by Microsoft won't count as genuine if you don't have a product key for them. with out it Microsoft will not consider it part of their license agreement. not to mention a bunch of other problems.
This is why having a product key is one of the first things we mention on the guide.
I've ran Malwarebytes virus scans on them in virtual box, and they seem legit to me. Thanks.
Still good and clean?
Yeah, they still good. Sorry for the late reply. If they were bad the up to date Malwarebytes pro would had found something by now.
Hey there fella, so i checked the hash and it was the same as the one provided under the file name on this page, the problem is how do i check if that is the same hash as the microsoft one?
Yes, Microsoft has changed their MSDN site which provided the hashes for all the Windows 7 ISOs.
We are looking into a new method for confirmation, and we will update the guide once we find one.
Alright, i'll wait to install the ISO until i find to confirm it. Give me a heads up. :)
Found a way to to check Official hash now? @PCsteps:disqus
As far as I can tell, Microsoft just doesn't provide the official hash anymore. For their own reasons, they completely removed this information from the Microsoft websites.
Hi, I'm attempting to download Win 7 PRO SP1, however I only see French and Korean languages. Is that's all that is available? Thanks!
Hi Tester,
On version 5.00 of the program they removed Windows 7, because Microsoft cancelled some URLs. On version 5.01 they added a small selection of Windows downloads, and I guess with each new version they will be adding more.
If you can't wait, the torrents will do just as well.
Looks like I'll go the Torrent route. Thanks for the very informative article.
Hi Angelos
I've been using your superb guides to re-install Windows 7, but I've run into a problem with activation. Microsoft tells me my product code is invalid, even though I have a genuine COA sticker. How should I proceed?
Hi Melanie, sorry for the delayed answer.
If you are positive that you have selected the correct version of Windows, you might have to contact Microsoft ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus/ )_, to check whether there is a problem with your product key. Sometimes, product keys can be blacklisted.
Hello Angelos, i was wondering that i downloaded the windows 7 professional 64bit SP1 through torrent so does it include the Serial key as well or i have to do something else like cracking or finding it online? Plz reply soon and thnx for the iso file.
Hello Mohsin,
The torrents do not include a serial key or a crack.
Maybe you should consider installing Windows 10, which you can legally install for free:
https://www.pcsteps.com/9297-valid-methods-upgrade-windows-10-free/#Installation_withoutactivation
haha, thanx for your suggestion, unfortunately my laptop has windows 8 enterprise version further more recently deactivated one so win 10 is a no-way thats y i thought i'd downgrade.....
I have personally activated Windows 10 on a deactivated Windows 7 licence, so you might as well give it a try. What do you have to lose?
hi, thanks for the handy guide! Just used this to get Windows 7 Professional again, and I was wondering if there was something like this for vista?
Hi Michael, glad you liked it.
There used to be some Vista links, but I'm afraid they don't work anymore.
However, if your PC can run Windows Vista, it can also run Windows 10, and you can install them for free: https://www.pcsteps.com/9297-valid-methods-upgrade-windows-10-free/#Installation_withoutactivation
No doubt as windows 7 is the best OS ever, So after downloading and installing its iso, I required its license for activation, I searched and found ODosta Store, Where from I get product key, which is working well.
I thought that I should share my experience here. Thanks guys
It syas this torrent is private and shows as stalled in qBitorrent?
Awesome......thanks for these downloads !!!!
I have a observation, as I downloaded both copies using both methods (both ended up as identical file sizes too - a good sign!)....are saved in one folder on my main HDD but they appear as ZIP files and not ISO files. I think it's the way Windows 7 treats file sizes....read somewhere that there's a maximum of 200 Mb for any single file.
Viewing inside the Zip File under "Extract"....i could see all the Windows related files that you would expect to see in the Installation Disk.
So how does one convert these Zip files into Windows installation disk in either DVD or USB Drive?
I figured it out, I changed the file association to Winzip In Control Panel.....now it just "Disc Image File" i.e ISO.
I guess i just need a program to unlock this file and dump it into DVD and also USB Drive.
Hey RedBaron,
You can burn the DVD through Windows, no need for third-party apps. For USB, Rufus is one of the best programs. Check out our guide for both:
https://www.pcsteps.com/630-create-a-windows-installation-disc-or-usb/
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RESOURCE ................ i do not usually visit ads on a website but this will be my pleasure .........
Thank you very much for the resource, but I'm having a problem. I can't seem to load the new ISOs from my USB or Disk to slap windows 7 on my new hard drive. I'm getting a weird error - c0000221-unknown-hard-error-systemroot-system32-ntdll-dll - when I try to boot from my USB or new disk. My hard drive is brand new, there's no damage on it - I ran Diagnosis twice on every system. Do you have any advice?
Hi MisterShoebox. Which app did you use to create your USB? Do you have a second PC to try if it boots on that one? Νo need to proceed with the installation, just see if it gets you in the setup environment.
Hi Angelos,i was trying to install windows 7 ultimate on rufus and when extracting it says ISO image extraction failure,how can i fix this?
Hey Houdinie,
Did you download Windows 7 through the Heidoc.net downloader, or using the torrent? Did you check the md5 checksum to make sure the ISO wasn't corrupted during the download.
I have just re-downloaded the 64bit Ultimate ISO through the torrent file, and it works fine with Rufus.
Hello sir can i ask what is this md5 checkusm for? and this version of window is old or new
Morons. They couldn't make it more difficult to get Windows. They've turned the whole thing into a stupid charade of an exercise. It's not as if Windows is that great.