The Quest for Windows 7 (a full, legitimate copy)

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In the past I’ve mentioned that I will undoubtedly have problems down the road with my copy of Windows 7 (Professional, 64-bit) because it’s an upgrade disk – I have to first install Windows XP and then upgrade, but I’m finding that most newer motherboards don’t even recognize Windows XP as a valid OS. This meant earlier this year that I (regrettably) had to use my wife’s Dell version of Windows 7 to get my computer up and running while my regular motherboard was back at the manufacturer’s getting rebuilt. It’s back now, and as soon as I get up the courage to do yet another computer teardown/rebuild, I’ll be back in action the way I prefer – but as I said, down the road I’ll have the same problem, and on a more permanent basis.
So I started looking around earlier this year for somewhere I could buy a full copy of Win 7 Pro – but I found either nothing at all or a confusing number of choices that I couldn’t figure out, with an even wider variety of prices that did nothing to help me find what I wanted.
Earlier this month we bought my son a new laptop from Dell, and I just received an email with a gift e-card for $80 – the catch being, of course, that I can only spend it at Dell. So just out of curiosity I checked, and they do have a copy of windows 7 available – and since it’s for $149, I would like to assume it isn’t the Dell-centric version of Windows, but a ‘real’ vanilla copy that is what I’m looking for.

Here’s a link to their product: http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/microsoft-windows-7-professional-w-sp1-license-1-pc-oem-dvd-64-bit-lcp-english/apd/a7737207/software
I don’t know what the ‘LCP’ indicates, nor am I so confident that the ‘OEM’ cancels out any hopes I may have of getting the vanilla version I’m hoping for. But if anybody can clarify just what that is, I’d be very appreciative, of course. After I saw this I did a bit of searching online to find what LCP stands for, but it doesn’t look like Microsoft is very forthcoming with details like that, so I’m still unsure. (I’ve always gone under the assumption that OEM was just another term for bare-bones packaging of an original product, but who’s to say they aren’t using that indiscriminately now, to indicate anything that originated with Microsoft, even if it has been altered from the original.)

And of course if this isn’t any more than Dell trying to cash in on the DVDs that they used to hand out for free with a warranty hard drive replacement, then I’m still anxious to find a copy of Windows 7 as insurance against future problems. So if anybody has a lead on where that might still be available, I’m all ears!

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Go to “Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files)” ( https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows7 ).

After you enter your Win7 product key you should be able to download an ISO file which you can burn to DVD to create an install DVD w/ Win7 SP1 which you can then use to clean-install (or repair-reinstall) Win7 SP1 w/o having to upgrade from a previous version of Windows.

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Do be aware that when you obtain a bare Win 7 iso, such as the one Coochin pointed you to, you don’t get any of the drivers for your hardware. This will include video drivers, webcam drivers, etc. Accordingly, you’ll want to check what drivers you’re currently using and download the latest versions of those too – presumably from the relevant hardware makers’ websites.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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@ macropod

I understood from the OP that he wants a “bare bones” Win7 install DVD. It should be quite obvious that such will not include updated drivers to suit the OP’s system, but I don’t think drivers was the OP’s concern anyhow.

The OP seems to be quite comfortable w/ driver & other software issues & was simply asking for a way to avoid having to install XP first then using his Win7 upgrade DVD to upgrade from XP to Win7 (after which upgrade he would probably have to install SP1, etc).

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The drivers folders can be backed up from C:WindowsSystem32 but would the key from an upgrade version be accepted by the MS download site for a retail copy ?

If need be, I can supply DJM with Win 7×64 Pro SP1 disks which may be used to perform a repair install and then use Slui 3 to change the product key, if it accepts the disk as compatible with the current install.

Would this be acceptable by Lounge standards ?

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LCP is Low Cost Packaging. It just means it’s not in a fancy box. No other implications, it’s the same otherwise.

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In the past I’ve mentioned that I will undoubtedly have problems down the road with my copy of Windows 7 (Professional, 64-bit) because it’s an upgrade disk – I have to first install Windows XP and then upgrade, but I’m finding that most newer motherboards don’t even recognize Windows XP as a valid OS. This meant earlier this year that I (regrettably) had to use my wife’s Dell version of Windows 7 to get my computer up and running while my regular motherboard was back at the manufacturer’s getting rebuilt. It’s back now, and as soon as I get up the courage to do yet another computer teardown/rebuild, I’ll be back in action the way I prefer – but as I said, down the road I’ll have the same problem, and on a more permanent basis.
So I started looking around earlier this year for somewhere I could buy a full copy of Win 7 Pro – but I found either nothing at all or a confusing number of choices that I couldn’t figure out, with an even wider variety of prices that did nothing to help me find what I wanted.
Earlier this month we bought my son a new laptop from Dell, and I just received an email with a gift e-card for $80 – the catch being, of course, that I can only spend it at Dell. So just out of curiosity I checked, and they do have a copy of windows 7 available – and since it’s for $149, I would like to assume it isn’t the Dell-centric version of Windows, but a ‘real’ vanilla copy that is what I’m looking for.

Here’s a link to their product: http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/microsoft-windows-7-professional-w-sp1-license-1-pc-oem-dvd-64-bit-lcp-english/apd/a7737207/software
I don’t know what the ‘LCP’ indicates, nor am I so confident that the ‘OEM’ cancels out any hopes I may have of getting the vanilla version I’m hoping for. But if anybody can clarify just what that is, I’d be very appreciative, of course. After I saw this I did a bit of searching online to find what LCP stands for, but it doesn’t look like Microsoft is very forthcoming with details like that, so I’m still unsure. (I’ve always gone under the assumption that OEM was just another term for bare-bones packaging of an original product, but who’s to say they aren’t using that indiscriminately now, to indicate anything that originated with Microsoft, even if it has been altered from the original.)

And of course if this isn’t any more than Dell trying to cash in on the DVDs that they used to hand out for free with a warranty hard drive replacement, then I’m still anxious to find a copy of Windows 7 as insurance against future problems. So if anybody has a lead on where that might still be available, I’m all ears!

Don’t give up on your quest, I believe I saw an announcement from Microsoft in October saying that the only Win7 and Win8/8.1 allowed to be sold now is what is already installed on new computers available for sale or in the hands of retailers.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Thanks, everyone – I may have mis-spoken on what I am actually looking for, which is (ideally) a retail version of Windows 7 Professional (64-bit). The link to the .iso download I will try, but it might not work for me since I have the Upgrade on DVD, but not a full version. I’ll give it a shot and see what happens. the motherboard I’m using right now doesn’t recognize Windows XP, for which I DO have the full version, after which I do the upgrade to Windows 7; that’s the catch for me.

I tried the link that Coochin provided and got this message in return:

The product key you entered appears to be for software licensed through an Enterprise Agreement. Please contact the Volume Licensing Service Center for software recovery options or visit the Volume Licensing Home Page for more information on Enterprise Agreements.

The upgrade I have (didn’t think it would matter, but apparently it does) was purchased when my daughter went away to college from her school’s bookstore, along with the copy of Office 2010 Professional that currently won’t install on the version of Windows (Dell) that I resorted to. It’s been suggested that I need to contact Microsoft to “free up” the product key for Office from the original motherboard, since that’s how it was registered, in order to be able to install it once again on a different system (motherboard) – but then, since I’m planning on putting that motherboard back into my system within the next month or two (and I’ve been using FreeOffice for the time being) I don’t know if that would be necessary – wouldn’t the original motherboard be recognized and the installation be allowed to proceed once it’s back in the system?

And as far as Windows itself is concerned, as long as the link on the Dell website is not actually a DELL-branded version of Windows, I’ll be happy to get that in order to have a full version handy for future needs. That’s what I was trying to say when I was talking about ‘real vanilla’ versions of Windows.

And since LCP stands for Low-Cost Packaging … which sounds like what OEM used to stand for … now I’m confused on another level.

For me OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer, and indicates OEM packaging – for a hard drive that was the drive only in an anti-static bag, put into a shipping box and sent to me for a conveniently low price. That, as opposed to Retail packaging – the nice-looking box with a drivers disk (and safety padding) and any other handy add-ons I might need.
But since Low-Cost Packaging seems to represent an identical scenario, having OEM and LCP in the same product description causes me worry or confusion – actually, both – does OEM now mean it’s the DELL version of Windows, where the Dell logo appears on the System Properties screen and in other areas (and including Dell gribble along with the Microsoft Windows files)? I hope my confusion isn’t confusing anybody else, and that you can see where I need clarification. For the past 7 years I’ve been doing warranty repairs on Dell (and other) computers and installing the “Dell version” of Windows on Dell computers when necessary – so I’m aware of some basic differences between that and the “normal” Microsoft version, and I don’t want those differences. It most certainly includes a lot of baggage that I won’t need that potentially causes conflicts when installed on non-Dell systems.

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Once that OEM version is installed on one machine, you won’t be able to install it on another – unlike with a retail version, although Coochin has said he was able to do just that, even though it’s supposed to be nailed to the mobo on the machine that it is installed on.

MS has stopped selling anything Win 7 and Googling for a Win 7 install, I’ve only ever come across OEM versions, but the advert never said who the OEM belonged to.

Dell’s $169 seems cheap compared to the prices I came across when I was looking for a Win 7 x64 Pro when I was considering upgrading my Toshiba Win 7 Home Premium – but have since upgraded to Win 10.

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…The upgrade I have (didn’t think it would matter, but apparently it does) was purchased when my daughter went away to college from her school’s bookstore…

Then the Win7 licence you have, which is tied to the product key is almost certainly “academic” (“Enterprise Agreement”).

You would need to enter a Win7 Pro product key either OEM or Retail that came from a non-Enterprise source (such as from a COA sticker on a desktop or laptop PC).

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If it helps, LCP is a Microsoft term, so it’s unlikely that it’s branded. A brief (very brief) explanation here.

Secondly, why not just do a clean install with your upgrade disk? MS have confirmed that it’s legal. An article here explains the process.

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I will eventually do a clean install, once I have collected all the components for a PC rebuild. I’m not physically all that able to handle something like that more than once in a great while (neuropathy from chemo makes it difficult for me to handle tools, especially small ones, with any sense of confidence or coordination). But right now the motherboard currently in my computer does not recognize Windows XP as a valid OS, so I can’t install that first and then go on to the Windows 7 Upgrade. If I’d known that motherboards were being built with only certain OSs in mind, I would have done some more shopping around before getting this one while my XP-friendly was undergoing warranty refurbishing.
I’m waiting on the Christmas season and, presumably, other components such as new case (my current one is over 10 years old and the fans, which can’t be replaced, are not doing their job any more), video card (still working with DVI, and my eyes aren’t enjoying the lack of clarity), and a few other odds and ends so I can finally do at least a little work from home while I’m convalescing. Which is why I don’t just put the XP-friendly motherboard back in right now.
But while I have the Upgrade disk, and it’s good enough for the motherboard I would normally be using, it has become clear to me that down the road, as I’ll eventually have to replace this one at some point, XP-first will no longer be an option. So I’d like to have a full-install version of 7 available.
I’ll check out the link you provided – (I get the impression that it’s to explain how to use the upgrade disk to do a full install).

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Secondly, why not just do a clean install with your upgrade disk? MS have confirmed that it’s legal. An article here explains the process.

FAO the OP: Have you tried Tony’s suggestion (2nd link)? The article describes a time-consuming process involving installing W7 twice, the first time onto an ’empty’ drive, ie XP is not required. From the comments on that link, someone has tried this as recently as October and the registry-edit method (#2) worked. Give it a go!

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FAO the OP: Have you tried Tony’s suggestion (2nd link)? The article describes a time-consuming process involving installing W7 twice, the first time onto an ’empty’ drive, ie XP is not required. From the comments on that link, someone has tried this as recently as October and the registry-edit method (#2) worked. Give it a go!

Tried it back on the 20th; that’s where we determined that my license is an Enterprise Agreement license and would not work for me for that reason.
I already ordered the Dell copy; with the egift card it’s essentially half-price, so I should be good to go now.

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I’ve also quite a few reinstalls on Dell [even own a few myself] and the Win7 and earlier COA stickers with the Product Key usually had OEAct or OEMAct printed on them, seldom had to do a separate Activation of those computers. It usually did not make a difference as to the actual Dell-branded disc I used as long as the version was the same as the sticker and model name such as Dimension or Optiplex. I found that if the sticker mentioned SP1 the disc also had to show SP1.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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I’ve also quite a few reinstalls on Dell [even own a few myself] and the Win7 and earlier COA stickers with the Product Key usually had OEAct or OEMAct printed on them, seldom had to do a separate Activation of those computers. It usually did not make a difference as to the actual Dell-branded disc I used as long as the version was the same as the sticker and model name such as Dimension or Optiplex. I found that if the sticker mentioned SP1 the disc also had to show SP1.

Yes – my co-workers and I ended up with quite a few extra Windows disks over the years, of various versions and SP levels – and with Dell, at least, you need to use the disk for which the computer was originally designed. I found out after I replaced the hdd on a friend’s Dell Vista desktop and installed a different version of Vista – after a few days he started getting warnings that he had an illegal version of Windows installed. So just having a Dell OS on a Dell computer wasn’t enough, we discovered.

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with Dell, at least, you need to use the disk for which the computer was originally designed.

That is absolutely, unequivocably, not true.

A Dell-branded Reinstallation disc for XP/Vista/7 is essentially identical to a Microsoft-branded retail DVD. It does not install any crapware or custom Dell “tweaks”, other than perhaps a web shortcut to Dell Help and Support. (There may be optional Applications discs and a Drivers and Utilities disc, but that’s beside the point. I’m talking about just the OS Reinstallation disc here.)

Being “identical to a retail DVD” means the disc also does not include any Dell drivers. Any necessary Dell drivers must be installed separately, regardless of whether you are installing from a retail disc or from a Dell disc.

Dell’s Reinstallation discs are not tied to one machine or even one model line. In fact, that is quite contrary to the practice of most large OEMs, many of whom embedded drivers in the reinstallation discs and thus their discs were necessarily tied to the models for which those drivers were applicable.

The only real difference between a Dell disc and a Microsoft retail disc is the Dell disc is altered to activate via a SLIC/SLP BIOS. The product key is embedded in the Dell Reinstallation disc, and if that disc is installed on a computer with a genuine Dell BIOS of the requisite SLP version, it will be self-activated without prompting you to enter a key and without contacting Microsoft for activation.

When installing from a Dell XP/Vista/7 Reinstallation disc, all that is required is a compatible SLIC/SLP BIOS to self-activate. Installing Vista from a Dell DVD requires a SLIC 2.0 BIOS, while installing Win7 from a Dell DVD requires a SLIC 2.1 BIOS. (In contrast, a Dell Win8 installation disc requires a SLIC 3.0 BIOS with a product key also embedded in the BIOS.)

As for product keys, note the product key on the COA sticker is always different from the key used by the Dell Reinstallation disc. The keys on the stickers are always unique, while the keys embedded in the disc are not–in fact, practically every Dell shipped, within a given Windows version and edition, will have the same key or keys (a few editions had a couple different keys). The disc’s key is what you will discover if you use something like Magic Jelly Bean.

The unique COA sticker is what gives you the legal right to use that particular OS and edition, irrespective of an installation with the OEM key or possession of a DVD.

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Then the Win7 licence you have, which is tied to the product key is almost certainly “academic” (“Enterprise Agreement”).

You would need to enter a Win7 Pro product key either OEM or Retail that came from a non-Enterprise source (such as from a COA sticker on a desktop or laptop PC).

Well, I suspected that the origin had something to do with my issues – it didn’t, really, but it seems to be affecting my hopes of an early workaround, at least. I’m expecting to rebuild this baby sometime after Christmas, so with the original motherboard in and the ability to first install XP restored, I should be able to get all this sorted out. I never used to have this much trouble – either I’m getting old, forgetting what little I knew, or if it’s the manufacturers either getting lazy or getting lower-quality materials – I really don’t know. Most likely it’s a combination of all those things.

That is absolutely, unequivocably, not true.

What I meant was, and I see now after rereading what I wrote that I didn’t express it very clearly at all, was that a computer that’s sold with Vista Home Premium (for example), if you have to reinstall the OS, needs to have Vista Home Premium installed – or else you will soon get the warning that your Windows installation is ‘not authentic’ (I forget the exact wording). Instead of Vista Home Premium, I installed Vista Business for that friend (it was the only Vista DVD from Dell that I had available) and about a week later, he started getting that alert.

And based on the info I’ve received in this thread, I think I will be getting that Windows 7 disk from Dell – with the e-gift card they provided it will be less than $100 and will definitely come in handy at some point.

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Well, I suspected that the origin had something to do with my issues – it didn’t, really, but it seems to be affecting my hopes of an early workaround, at least. I’m expecting to rebuild this baby sometime after Christmas, so with the original motherboard in and the ability to first install XP restored, I should be able to get all this sorted out. I never used to have this much trouble – either I’m getting old, forgetting what little I knew, or if it’s the manufacturers either getting lazy or getting lower-quality materials – I really don’t know. Most likely it’s a combination of all those things.

What I meant was, and I see now after rereading what I wrote that I didn’t express it very clearly at all, was that a computer that’s sold with Vista Home Premium (for example), if you have to reinstall the OS, needs to have Vista Home Premium installed – or else you will soon get the warning that your Windows installation is ‘not authentic’ (I forget the exact wording). Instead of Vista Home Premium, I installed Vista Business for that friend (it was the only Vista DVD from Dell that I had available) and about a week later, he started getting that alert.

And based on the info I’ve received in this thread, I think I will be getting that Windows 7 disk from Dell – with the e-gift card they provided it will be less than $100 and will definitely come in handy at some point.

I too have been searching for days for a full retail win7 to buy, but it appears there are none to be had. So I finally bought another oem license which is what I already have. Here is a link to an article which will explain the differences in ms windows licenses: http://www.zdnet.com/article/what-microsoft-wont-tell-you-about-windows-7-licensing/
It certainly helped me to understand.
You were right about one thing… if a pc came with for instance windows 7 home premium, you can’t install windows 7 pro or enterprise using the product key for home premium. You will get those error messages you mentioned and maybe others as well. It certainly won’t activate.

edited: You surely can install a different version of windows(from home premium to pro or enterprise) IF you bought a license for the different pro or enterprise version. Then no problems.

edited again: Another thought… as you are rebuilding your pc there is another path you might consider. Cloning your hard drive. Buy a new matching size hard drive and clone it with a backup app that has that capability. I have never done this but I’ll go out on a limb here and say that it should work because it would be an exact copy of your present hard drive complete with os, apps, & data. I have a friend at church who has done this more than once in order to keep using xp apps that don’t work under newer versions of windows than 7.

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I too have been searching for days for a full retail win7 to buy, but it appears there are none to be had.

Ebay currently has 31 results for “windows 7 professional retail”–I see discs in some of the offers around $60.

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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Ebay currently has 31 results for “windows 7 professional retail”–I see discs in some of the offers around $60.

Many of those are for either oem or upgrade license which is not the same as retail. Of those which appear to be retail many have been opened(no longer factory sealed) some even claimed they can’t guarantee the key and most of the rest have so few ratings that I personally wouldn’t trust them(I’m not saying they are illegal or would try to cheat anyone, but… I have been cheated three times in the last six years on versions of windows that were misrepresented). Just saying…
Al

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I wouldn’t trust ebay either … would treat them as suspect.

Caution is a good thing, especially if it’s a place you haven’t visited much–just like New York or London. However, a little research increases the chance of a good visit, if you have the time and interest.

There are plenty of folks out there who are willing to abandon an eBay account once they get caught in a scam.

“Plenty” maybe, but likely to be a small number relative to the global Ebay selling community. Fyi to start selling:

You may need to verify your contact information and add an automatic payment method
…
If you want to raise your sending and withdrawal limts or sell internationally, you’ll need to become PayPal Verified.

Ebay, and especially their payment company PayPal, have been thru the fraud attack wringers since the last century. They both remain in business because they have proven to be a good and reliable operator. So caution indeed, just not so much that it paralyses.

It would be EBay itself that gives the refund, or so I am believing. … they are not ALL frauds

Correct.

The eBay Money Back Guarantee covers your purchase price plus original shipping for virtually all items on eBay.com. We guarantee you’ll get the item you ordered or your money back.

I’ve done very little auction buying this decade, but did hundreds of transactions last decade, the majority on Ebay. As I said above, a little research and it’s as safe as anywhere–I’d jump back in today if I had a need.

Many of those … I personally wouldn’t trust them

A quick look and I see one Win 7 Pro Retail offer I’d jump on, and another that looks worth taking a small risk on. You only need one ‘live’ one, not many.

I already ordered the Dell copy; with the egift card it’s essentially half-price, so I should be good to go now.

Good stuff, half price is a good deal, probably better than you’d get at auction–and without any of the effort 🙂

Lugh.
~
Alienware Aurora R6; Win10 Home x64 1803; Office 365 x32
i7-7700; GeForce GTX 1060; 16GB DDR4 2400; 1TB SSD, 256GB SSD, 4TB HD

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W10 is probably cheaper. 🙂

cheers, Paul

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+1 ^ ^

I wouldn’t trust ebay either and if there’s problems with the key, you may have problems getting MS to reactivate it.

Those retail versions in the link are well below what I’ve seen the asking price for OEM versions and would treat them as suspect.

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+2 for that
And FWIW I bought a W7 Ultimate from EBAY last year for $99 no problem. YMMV, does not Ebay still have money back policy in place?

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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+2 for that
And FWIW I bought a W7 Ultimate from EBAY last year for $99 no problem. YMMV, does not Ebay still have money back policy in place?

Yes, but the problem with that is that if you get a disreputable seller who gives you a copy with an invalid product key, chances are he’s not the most likely candidate to give you your money back. There are plenty of folks out there who are willing to abandon an eBay account once they get caught in a scam.

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It would be EBay itself that gives the refund, or so I am believing. Things change and there is a time limit, just wanted to say they are not ALL frauds :mellow:

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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When you’ve just done a fresh OS install and you need drivers, it’s obviously more of a chore if you don’t have any network drivers – no internet connection. To avoid having to use another computer to download drivers onto a USB drive and transfering them, I spent about $20 for a USB wireless adapter. It came with it’s own install disk, so it’s a great starting point that’s saved me time after time. Right “up there” on my list of best spent $20.

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When you’ve just done a fresh OS install and you need drivers, it’s obviously more of a chore if you don’t have any network drivers – no internet connection. To avoid having to use another computer to download drivers onto a USB drive and transfering them, I spent about $20 for a USB wireless adapter. It came with it’s own install disk, so it’s a great starting point that’s saved me time after time. Right “up there” on my list of best spent $20.

You’ve raised a very good point which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before so… thank you!

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When you’ve just done a fresh OS install and you need drivers, it’s obviously more of a chore if you don’t have any network drivers – no internet connection. To avoid having to use another computer to download drivers onto a USB drive and transfering them, I spent about $20 for a USB wireless adapter. It came with it’s own install disk, so it’s a great starting point that’s saved me time after time. Right “up there” on my list of best spent $20.

If you are doing a clean install of the OS onto an existing machine, you can back up the drivers folders first onto something like an USB stick and then drop them back in after the reinstall.

They can be found at C:WindowsSystem32

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Windows has basic drivers included for a surprisingly large variety of hardware so you can usually at least get off the ground. However, if you are trying to retrofit Windows 7 (or older) on new hardware you may have driver issues. More hardware all the time is being released with Windows 10 drivers only.

--Joe

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I too have been looking to obtain a retail copy of Windows 7, but with little success.

No problems or anything wrong with my system….just would like to have one just in case I would like to do a clean reinstall rather than a re-image or factory reset.

But the real problem is why does the average home computer user have to go through such mazes and confusion in order to have a system that they can trust to work the way they want it to.

Seems to me that instead of being able to rely on hardware and software companies to reliably make systems that will update without any problems, home users are now being put upon to delve into the intricacies and mazes of compatibles in order to keep things working reasonably well.

I never set out to become a tech geek, but I’m sure finding out that unless I do a lot of research at times in order to keep things running well, that my system will eventually crash and I’m out a few hundred bucks trying to find a solution which could mean I have to purchase a new system with more confusion.

Ah, but such is life and it’s forever plod toward progress.

Guess that’s why I don’t own a smartphone. Ain’t gonna buy something that thinks it’s smarter than me. (LOL)

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The answer to preparing for a crash with an OEM machine is to create the OEM recovery disks, a System Repair disk as well as regular full system images onto external media and set your machine to check the DVD and USB drives before the HDD.

If push then comes to shove, you can factory reset with the recovery disks and restore with the system image.

Panic over 🙂

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I see many DVDs for sale on Ebay, some from sellers w/ many reviews, the stumbling block might be for someone who wants a spare copy (not a bad idea I still have an unused license or 2) and does not want to install inside the 30 day ebay window.

Is there a way to test a license # outside of activating it?

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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I see many DVDs for sale on Ebay, some from sellers w/ many reviews, the stumbling block might be for someone who wants a spare copy (not a bad idea I still have an unused license or 2) and does not want to install inside the 30 day ebay window.

Is there a way to test a license # outside of activating it?

Having lost my retail copy of Win7 Pro x64 I am interested in the answer to this question as I am looking to purchase now (hopefully) and re-install later when a new M/B and SSD’s are purchased after the Xmas rush.

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Having lost my retail copy of Win7 Pro x64 I am interested in the answer to this question as I am looking to purchase now (hopefully) and re-install later when a new M/B and SSD’s are purchased after the Xmas rush.

You can use a valid retail key to download the ISO by entering it into https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7

Select Save and then you can use Windows USB/DVD Burner Tool to create your own bootable install disks/USBs.

http://wudt.codeplex.com/

However, you can reload what you have now onto the new hardware by using a System Repair disk and a Windows System Image, although you would need to contact MS to have the new install reactivated.

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Many thanks Sudo15 for your prompt and very helpful reply.

One matter that causes me concern about downloading the ISO is that it will be a lot of data. On my pitiful monthly allowance, I would be close to the data limit. Is there some way of verifying the download – say, via Checksum, so that I can be sure of the content – or is this really necessary these days?

One further related matter, you mention using a System Repair disk and then a Win System Image to *load present content onto new hardware*. Would you be kind enough to explain why the System Repair disk is required in this context.

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I would think the MS site would be okay but when I downloaded a Pro ISO from Digital River (those were the days :)) it was a 3.09GB download.

As you have a retail key, I can burn you a couple of Win 7 x64 Pro SP1 install disks to avoid you using up your quota.

Just PM me your address.

As there wouldn’t be anything on the new SSD, booting up with the system repair disk will give you the option to restore from an image I created earlier.

https://www.winhelp.us/restore-a-system-image-in-windows-7.html

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Just PM me your address.

Please forgive my ignorance, but how do I do that and compensate you for the postage?

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Click on my username and select Private Message.

As for the postage – completely Gratis 🙂

EDIT – I think I may have been editing my last post as you were posting yours.

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Thank you that’s a great offer. BTW, I did try to leave a PM but your mailbox is full.

EDIT: I shall try again tomorrow, or perhaps later. Thanks again

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Sorry about that – I had to go out and didn’t see the notification until I got back.

Plenty of room now 🙂

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Wow! No wonder you are a Super Moderator.

cheers, Paul

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I’ve sent them all over the world as I like to help where I can.

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Over the past ten years I’ve bought a few brand new Microsoft Windows products at substantial discounts on eBay that were fine. Read the description carefully to make sure you understand what is being offered, including the shipping charge. Buy only new products with a certificate of authenticity from experienced USA based sellers with very good positive feedback. eBay doesn’t put up with seller shenanigans anymore. If you buy something that doesn’t match the description, report it and you will ultimately get a refund after you complete the return process.

Looking at what is currently available for retail Windows 7 Pro, I see mostly dregs and just one that I would consider purchasing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Microsoft-Windows-7-Pro-Professional-32-64-bit-Retail-version-DVD-Licenc-/262743051296 I would contact the seller and ask them to add a photograph of the certificate of authenticity to their listing. If they’re not willing to do that, then don’t buy it. Demand for this item is greater than supply, so prices are not the bargains they were a couple years ago.

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Looking at what is currently available for retail Windows 7 Pro,…

Thank you for that suggestion, I did happen to see that same item a few days ago.
Since then Sudo15 has stepped in and I am well on the way to a successful re-install.
Cheers.

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I know I’m not answering your question but I want to offer you an alternative. Look at the price of the disc as the others have said. In Montreal for $225.00 Canadian ( our dollars is worth 75 cents to an American) you get a laptop I7 processor 4bm memory with legal win 7 pro installed . This is part of microsoft’s refurbish program available in North America you will have to do the updates but could then get a good free backup program and make an image disk including all the windows updates for this machine at that time . You avoid driver issues etc . Just something to consider

Regards Bob

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Thanks Bob for your suggestion – something I would not otherwise have known about. As said previously, and thanks to others, I will shortly be able to proceed. BTW, the Aussie dollar is in even worse shape.
Thank you again and best wishes.

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@ BobFo – Just to clarify things because you have mentioned “legal win 7 pro” which seems to infer that the intended course of action isn’t.

The ISO I downloaded from the Digital River website at the time was legal and it requires a legal key to activate it.

Progressing while losing his install disk, has such a key and it’s only because of bandwidth download restrictions that the download from the official MS download site was not practical.

It’s because of this, that I’ve stepped in to provide the disk that is otherwise freely available to those who have a valid retail key.

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