You can download Windows 11 for free
First: take a full system-image backup as soon as possible, and use that as a fallback. You can always restore to that image in lieu of a reinstall, and you’ll be back to where you were at the time the backup was taken.
You could also get in touch with the vendor who sold you the computer. They provided you with a copy once; perhaps they’ll be willing to get you a replacement copy.
You could, I suppose, go buy a new copy. Most people aren’t interested in doing that, because they don’t want to pay for something they feel they’ve already purchased.
That’s when most people resort to finding a place from which to download Windows. Depending on the version of Windows and where you find it, it might even be legal.
Or it might not.
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Downloading Windows
Windows 8.1, 10, and 11 can all be downloaded from Microsoft directly. You can upgrade any machine already running a licensed copy of Windows to Windows 10 for free, otherwise you’ll need to purchase a license key.
Big fat legal caveat
It’s been my understanding for years that downloading a copy of Windows from … well, from just about anywhere, was illegal. Even if you had a copy of a product key to activate it, simply downloading a copy of the software breaks copyright law.
I believe that’s still true for versions prior to Windows 8.1. I know of no legal places to download Windows XP, Vista, or 7.
Beginning with Windows 7, Microsoft made full ISOs of the operating system available for download.
But you’ll still need your product key. Those you cannot just download for free: you’ll either need to have one that works (and not all do), or you’ll need to purchase a new one. (There are some exceptions around Windows 10’s upgrade path.)
Legal issues aside, I will say this: in my opinion, downloading Windows is ethical if (and only if) you already have a valid, purchased product key, or the machine you are installing on already has a digital license from a previous installation.
So I must cover my assets and include this bottom-line caveat: if you elect to take this download from anywhere other than Microsoft itself, you assume all risk and potential liability relating to its legality.
Download Windows 11
Download Windows 11 here.
That’s a download of the US-English version directly from Microsoft.
Even though Windows 11 may be automatically downloading on some machines, downloading the ISO or running the installation assistant is often the fastest, most reliable way to perform the upgrade or re-install.
Download Windows 10
Download Windows 10 here.
Once again, that’s a download of the US-English version directly from Microsoft.
Download Windows 8.1
You can download Windows 8.1 in ISO form directly from Microsoft here.
Again, the link is to the US-English download site.
Important things to know about your Windows download
It’s big: really big. You’re looking at a download of several gigabytes for most Windows editions. Depending on your internet speed, that could be anywhere from an hour to several days’ worth of download.
It’s an ISO file. For best results, you’ll want to burn that ISO file to a DVD, which in turn should behave pretty much like an original installation DVD.
It’s not OEM. These downloads are the generic, retail versions of Windows. If your machine came with a copy customized by your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), then those customizations will not be present, and your product key may not work. Product-key issues aside, this typically means that after installing from this copy, you need to get any missing applications and drivers from the computer manufacturer directly.
If your product key doesn’t work
Again, make sure you download the edition of Windows for which your product key was originally issued. That means matching the Windows version (8.1, 10, or 11), the edition (Home, Pro, Ultimate, etc.), and possibly bit-ness (32 or 64).
If your product key is an OEM product key, as I said earlier, it may not work with the retail version download. There’s no legal way around this I’m aware of, other than to return to your computer manufacturer and ask for a replacement Windows disc, or purchase a retail Windows product key.
Download Windows and install it legally without a product key
You can, of course, download Windows without having a product key at all; it’s just not free.
You can purchase Windows as a direct download from Microsoft, and that will include a valid product key for your installation.
All legit, legal, and malware-free.
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I have been a TechNet subscriber for about 5 years. One thing I discovered about the ISO media that I have access to is that the Windows Vista and Windows 7 ISO media is compatible with OEM license keys.
Multiple times, I have used TechNet media with OEM licenses. Even if the original OEM license is for Windows 7 Home Premium, it works with SP1 media.
I use the TechNet media to provide my clients with assistance after malicious software infections have rendered the operating system unrepairable.
I note that the softpedia download says it’s a “90 day trial” of the Enterprise version. It also notes:
Whether or not you can use your existing product key from the beginning (or even use the “anytime upgrade” to enter your existing key) is not really clear, but the warning about needing to “perform a clean installation” afterwards doesn’t give me the warm-and-fuzzies.
The mydigitallife page notes:
Of course, the same caveats that you mention regarding OEM-customized versions still apply.
Like most new computers, my Acer Aspire had stuff I did not want. I did keep an image of that, just in case.
I downloaded every file I could from Acer, and then downloaded the Win 7 with SP 1 or 2 probably from Digital River.
I did need the drivers from Acer, though. The product key I used was the one from my Family Pack (3) of installs.
So not sure if the mfg key on the laptop would have worked.
It is possible that Windows 8 & 10 have better driver coverage than Win 7 did.
Windows 7 download site at Softpedia and the mirror you offer do not work, Leo.
Regards,
Shelly
I lost mine in a move, and needed to do a rebuild, and called Dell. They sent me everything I needed – windows disk, driver disk, and other software disk free of charge. Never hurts to ask. They worse they can say is ‘no’.
Leo,
I was able to use the Softpedia links with no problem. Shelly should try again.
Don
Will the result be an ISO for a System Builder’s
OEM version or a retail version? Does the OEM
key work work with either? With so many systems
being sold without any media and the vendors
then wanting to charge for something they’ve
already sold (the use of the installation media
to install the OS), I feel justified in using
downloaded media to make use of what I’ve
already paid for.
Acer was already sued successfully for not
providing access to Windows Recovery tools
on their ‘home made’ or sold restore disks.
Which are reachable from booting the installation
media. Presales there says they did change the
content, as a byproduct of the law suit.
Thanks
Two questions:
(1) Why won’t Microsoft let me download a copy of Windows to repair a PC where the hard disk has crashed? The PC has a sticker with a valid, legal key so whose copyright am I infringing?
(2) What is the legal situation if I use my legal Windows CD/DVD to repair a friend’s PC, if he has a legal sticker etc etc?
I can repeatedly install Windows on my legal, stickered PC (in fact I routinely reinstall Windows every couple of years just to maintain performance) and I re-activate without problems. I don’t want to do anything illegal, and I certainly won’t do anything unethical.
NL_Derek;
1) Not sure what you mean by “Microsoft won’t let me download …”, as some Windows versions are downloadable. But note: all Windows CDs/DVDs are the same, even XP; there no licensing info on them. If you have a valid ‘XP Home Retail’ Sticker, you can use any ‘XP Home Retail’ DVD that you can find or borrow to reinstall and use with your sticker on that PC.
2) Your CD/DVD is not the ‘legal’ bit; the sticker is the legal bit! You could lend your friend your DVD as long as he uses his legal sticker to rebuild his PC.
As I had a problem during Restore from the Backup of my Windows-7 Home Premium 64 bit Gateway computer, I phoned their customer support aand they advised to restart the computer and immediately om booting (which was unsuccessful), before getting any message, press SIMULTANEOUSLY Alt and F10. This allowed me to get from the “Hidden safe” compartment of the hard drive, the original as came from factory, computer. Actually at that point it gave also the option to keep my added data or just the original as built condition. After that I rebooted correctly and Restored from my Backup and everything went OK. Interesting here to report two items:
1. The Customer Support was from a place in “Southern India”!!!
and
2. The software has ACER “copyright”!
I made a backup of the four DVDs at ‘the factory as built” and asked for again to be more sure to buy the original media for re-installation (in case my hard drive is for any reason damaged) and they mailed it at a cost of $19.99 plus taxes. These are important to have as they have the drivers for the keyboard, camera, speakers, DVD writer, built-in monitor..etc.
All computer manufactureres now either include the “capability” to make media to restore the computer as it was originally built or at least allow to buy them at a reasonable price WITHOUT HAVING TO BUY AGAIN THE ORIGINAL WINDOWS INSTALLATION MEDIA (CD or DVD) as it will be included in their “Restore” media.
I had the original Win 7 Professional factory CD. Over the years, it disappeared! I called M.$., and for $35 they sent me a new copy (with SP1). I had to verify the numbers off of the old installation, but I now have a disc for “repairs!
@Maro
I believe that Alt F10 is a machine specific solution.
It’s not so strange that the software has an Acer copyright. Acer bough Gateway in 2007. As for the customer support coming from Southern India, I would be more surprised if it came from anywhere else.
@Derek
Why doesn’t MS allow you to download Windows? Now they do with Windows 7. Perhaps they thought it would slow down piracy.
As for the legality of using a legal Windows CD/DVD to install on a friend’s PC if they have a legitimate key I don’t have installation media for Windows – what if I need it?
“It’s possible that your product key was assigned to an OEM version, and so, it may not work with the retail version download. There’s no legal way around this that I’m aware of, other than to return to your computer manufacturer and ask for a replacement Windows disc.”
Which product key do I use? The OEM one installed by HP or the one on the sticker affixed to the computer?
Almost certainly, the sticker on your HP box *is* the product key provided by HP. Unless someone else loaded a different copy on your PC. Thru 8.1, manufacturers are required to affix the Product key sticker to the machine. On some laptops, it’s underneath the battery.
i clicked on your link for a direct download from microsoft and the only thing they want you to download is win 10. there are no links to download anything else. they are really pushing 10.
Today (6-Jan-2016) I’m seeing several problems on the Microsoft site, so I expect this may be a temporary, related issue.
If you have a product key, Windows 7 can be downloaded directly from Microsoft, bypassing the need to use a very questionable site such as Softpedia.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
Much ado about nothing!
Ubuntu – free, no key, no illegalities, no hassle, hardly (if ever) attacked by viruses, … no problems.
MS – Not Free, needs a key, needs virus scanner, lots of problems.
My choice? UBUNTU. I haven’t even bothered to download a ‘free’ upgrade from my legal Windows 7 to Windows 10.
I agree. Originally I tried Ubuntu, but found it more suited to touch-screens etc. For most of these people, I would suggest they moved to Zorin or Mint (both derivatives of Ubuntu). I have used Zorin for a few years, including updates to Zorin-9 Ultimate on my desktop, and Zorin-9 Lite on my laptop. You can download free versions without any hassles about registration or activation – why mess around with Microsoft? The layout is very similar to Windows, so it is easy to switch from Windows. The software choices are almost limitless. I can’t believe what people go through to keep Windows on their PCs.
I clicked on the link you provided to mydigitallife.info but when I clicked the link to download Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 it just took me to http://www.microsofthup.com/hupuk/home.aspx?country_id=GB where I could see nothing about a Windows 7 download!
Fortunately, I downloaded the X17-58997 iso from Digital River in May last year :-) But even though I have a full retail version of Windows 7 with a valid product key, I still cannot activate on my old computer because it had already been activated on my HP computer, which HP scrapped and replaced with a Windows 8 computer! And I find the thought of trying to phone Microsoft to explain this scenario, quite daunting :-/ Consequently, my old computer has been sitting unused in a cupboard ever since HP took away the computer on which Windows 7 was activated!
You bought a HP computer. You then bought a retail copy of Windows 7 which you loaded onto the HP in place of the operating system that was already installed, and the computer was subsequently scrapped. If that’s an accurate description of what happened, you should have no problem getting help from Microsoft – they’re actually very easy to deal with in relation to activation issues. The steps to follow are explained here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/950929
I suppose it’s possible that it’s because you’re coming in from outside of the US? That’s my only thought. I tried it again and it got me to the right place. Another reader also posted this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7 – note that it’s local specific (en-us means US English). You may need to alter it for your own location, or simply search for Windows 7 download on Microsoft.com.
I just confirmed what Leo suspected is causing the redirect to the Office 16 page. I had the same results as Sheri when I clicked on the link. Then I tried it using a VPN, and it went to the correct download page.
I succeeded in downloading Windows 7 with a valid product-key at this website https://www.microsoft.com/nl-nl/software-download/windows7
This one is in Dutch, but maybe there is also an English version?
Strange, after posting I find the link doesn’t work.
Got there by searching for Windows 7 ISO download,
https://www.microsoft.com/nl-nl/software-download/home
and then clicking Windows 7
Hello … Here is the English version download site … Take Care
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows7
none of these work any more. the link to mydigitallife takes you to a download for microsoft office pro plus 2016 and microsoft has removed all links to the win7 iso from digital river. this article is seriously obsolete and in need of cleaning up.
correction, they’ve removed ALL windows iso links from digital river.
I am thinking I need to buy a Microsoft 10 version for my Dell laptop. Dell (ex employer) let me keep my old laptop. And I have product key. However I can’t upgrade or anything since on Dell site shows I don’t own the laptop.
So I partitioned it and loaded Linux Mint. Then wiped away the Windows 7.
Hate Linux Mint. It’s terrible. So difficult to use command line if you are used to MS Dos command line. Also bought 128gig USB drive and Mint read write protected it. Apparently it’s a bug in Mint. So now that USB is worthless.
So here is the question. Can I just go online and purchase a windows 10 OS, load it to a partition and then delete the Linux Mint? Sounds easy, but not sure.
Assuming your hardware supports Windows 10 yes. You don’t even have to install it to a partition – just install it right over Mint, ,formating your entire hard disk as a single partition in the process.
I TRIED TO DO A RESTORE ON MY LAP TOP , IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RESTORE THE COMPUTER STOPPED WPRKING .WHEN I POWERED OFF THE LAP TOP POWERED IT BACK UP ALL I GET IS A BLACK SCREEN . HOW MAY I RELOAD WIN 10 ON THIS MACHINE ? NOTHING WORKS CAN NOT GET TO ANYTHING ON THE MACHINE. ANY IDEAS WILL HELP!
On another computer, download the appropriate version of Windows and burn it to DVD or create a bootable USB flash drive.
On another computer, download and create a bootable Macrium Reflect or EaseUS Todo bootable rescue DVD or USB flash drive.
Back up your computer using the bootable bootable rescue disk you created. Yes, you can actually perform a backup using the backup program from the bootable rescue media.
Try restoring the backup to you computer. It probably won’t work, but it might be worth a try. If this doesn’t work:
Do a repair reinstall from the Windows installation disc you created. If that doesn’t work:
Do a from scratch installation of Windows.
Reinstall all your programs from the original installation media and/or files.
Restore all of your personal files from the backup.
https://askleo.com/how-should-i-back-up-my-computer-before-an-operating-system-upgrade/
https://askleo.com/creating-easeus-todo-emergency-disk/Read the articles in the Read more: section. -or-
http://ask-leo.com/macrium_reflect_2_creating_rescue_media.html
You’ll likely need to burn the Windows 10 ISO to bootable media and then boot from that to reinstall or repair Windows.
For anybody who need Windows in some other language than US English :
If you scroll down, at the very bottom left, you’ll find a link that gives access to the downloads in any of 43 localization.
This apply to windows 7 Sp1, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
When Windows 10 was first coming out, Microsoft offered to do a free upgrade from Windows 7. I tried to do that several times on my desktop computer but for some unknown reason it would not perform the upgrade. Now, of course, that upgrade period is far gone. I checked the system requirements (as you have above), and there’s no problem there. I’m running on an OEM Dell platform to Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1 which continues to successfully get the updates. My question: if the Windows 10 upgrade failed before, is getting a now purchased version likely to also fail?
Maybe, maybe not. There’s really know way to know. I’d be tempted to image backup the machine, so you can revert to that if things don’t working, and then try installing Windows 10. See what happens. You might see if any of these approaches work for you: https://lifehacker.com/the-best-ways-to-get-windows-10-for-free-1837174464
I’m visiting my brother and he has a computer which continually blue screened on bootup. Today I downloaded Windows 10 and created a bootable USB flash Windows 10 installation drive. The last OS on it was Windows 7. It installed without any problems and didn’t ask for an activation code. There were no nag warnings and I have my fingers crossed that it stays activated. The feeling I have is that you can still install Windows 10 over Windows 7. This isn’t the first time I’ve done it so it might work for everybody.