If you have a Windows 7 system and ever need a full installation disk for some repair function, you are likely to be out of luck. Nowadays, most PCs only come with a restore or recovery partition or sometimes a restore disk. However, neither of these provides a full installation but only returns a system to the same setup that it was in when you bought it. This is often not what you are looking for. Here is how to get a legitimate free copy of an ISO file for a Windows 7 full installation disk from the download service that Microsoft uses for online Windows 7 purchases. Note that while the disk file is free you still need a valid product key to activate any installation.
Microsoft itself does not provide Windows 7 downloads for the general public but the company uses DigitalRiver for online downloads. Download links for all popular English language versions of Windows 7 can be found on this page. These are large ISO files containing a number of GB so be prepared for a long download. Once downloaded, the ISO can be burnt to a DVD or placed on a USB. These versions are updated to SP1.
Although these are full Windows installation files, be aware that they may not contain all the drivers necessary for your particular system. According to what I read at Microsoft sites, these disks are the same as those sold online by the Microsoft store and installations can be activated with a valid product key that you already have. I have activated copies on virtual machines and everything worked.
For repair purposes, a product key is not necessary and one of these disks is a worthwhile addition to your emergency disks along with the one described in this previous tip.
And there you have it - something to help make it easier to maintain your Windows 7 system.
Update: Microsoft has now taken down the Digital River links for Windows 7 downloads. An alternative is given at this link Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files).
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This tips section is maintained by Vic Laurie. Vic runs several websites with Windows how-to's, guides, and tutorials including a site for learning about Windows and the Internet and another with Windows 7 tips.
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Comments
The first link in this article should be removed as it is to Vic Laurie's website which is no longer available.
I've been waiting for over 25 minutes for it verify my Win7 product key. Is this no longer valid?
Thanks for this info !! I am downloading the ISO file now.
The only 2 choices as far as language were French and Korean (no English) -- not sure why that is, but I chose French as I can at least muddle through that if need be.
Another site that appears to offer Windows iso downloads is
http://pcriver.com/category/operating-systems/
You will still need a Product Key of course.
I'd lost my disks so thanks for the headsup on this, there's a few comments earlier here saying an OEM is ineligible....unless something will go wrong at the end of my download which is a bit away yet, I am downloading a copy via my OEM key as I type this...the key was even recognised as an OEM key by the site but there was no trouble with commencing the download.......maybe it was blocked on the Digital River site and the updated link allows the download??.
Why would you put this back up when the download site no longer offers it. Also I believe most people have a windows 7 version that came preloaded on their pc and therefore is a OEM version and not eligible for this download. Microsoft is very stingy in not giving Win 7 to anyone wanting it.
Regarding several of the posts below - there is a very good new article here:
http://windowssecrets.com/best-practices/using-windows-powerful-recovery-environment/
One thing I didn't know is how to access Windows Recovery Environment in Windows 7. It is described here:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/11028.how-to-access-windows-recovery-environment-in-windows-7.aspx
Quite useful!
I updated my Windows 7 to Windows 10 several months ago but would prefer to revert to Windows 7. Can I use my old Windows 7 product key if I download this Windows 7 installations disk?
can i do it using my phone ?
will this work with the windows 7 code printed on the back of a laptop? need to restore it to factory settings and i dont have the recovery disk so i was wondering if that would work
Can I use this to upgrade from Vista 32-bit?
So...if I find the correct .iso for my win7x64 (hm prem) burn that to a dvd or cd use that to boot to then use my System Image I have created I should be back in business if all goes well, am I on the right track here? I have an HP desktop and want to avoid all the bloatware and hassle of having to reconfig my pc to OEM (I changed the HDD to SSD and gfx card and RAM sticks) my hp recovery discs wont work unless I revert back to that set up...BTDT. Just trying to find a hassle free way to if needed to get it back to now.
hello i have windows xp installed on my daughters computer, she had a sleep over last week and a couple of her freinds played on her computer now its stuck in a boot loop, i have tried everything, i dont have a startup disc , can you please please please help me fix her computer
Microsoft itself does not provide Windows 7 downloads
Just need a windows 7 repair disk or Install disk, where can I find one to download?
Hi, perused through most of the comments and haven't seen this yet, hoping you can help:
I already had Windows 7 on my laptop but HD crashed. Swapped it with a new one and when I started it back up it asked for a bootdisk. Downloaded a bootdisk to a USB, inserted it, and the laptop asked for a boot manager. I downloaded a boot manager iso, Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (32 Bit), but it's not working when I boot up--still getting the same error "BOOTMGR is missing..."
Any suggestions?
Thanks much,
Chris
Thank you so much for this link. It works really well and I burned it to disc with
CD Burner Xp which is free. I sure feel more secure now that I have an actual disc if anything happens to my installed Windows 7 64. Thanks again - you are wonderful!!
Seeing this article again is great! when it first came out I did the deal and all worked perfectly. Having this iso as a tool along with regular backups has made win7 almost foolproof.
Thanks for the effort and the updates.
I have try to use ImgBurn this end up turn to blue screen, I think my ISO is corrupted.
May I know how to use download manager to control the download? I click on the link then it download direct cannot attached to download manager
For Firefox and FreeDownloadManager, you can run FreeDownloadManager then right click the download link for the ISO and select "Copy Link Location". You can then click the button to start a new download in FDM and paste the link in.
It will be slightly different depending on what browser/manager you use but the process is the same in principle. Also if you use installed rather than portable software it can all be done automatically.
Hope that makes sense ... if you'd like more detailed help it would be better to open a thread in the forum (https://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/) as these pages are really for comments only.
I have downloaded file X17-58997.iso (win7 Home Premium 64bit). Use Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool, then error message the downloaded file not vaild ISO file. Is there other method to burn into DVD? I want to create Windows 7 DVD Bootable disc, do I use the correct DVD tool?
I'm not familiar with the process as you describe it.
I used FreeDownloadManager to get the ISO (http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/free-download-manager-portable) and ImgBurn to burn it to disk at speed x2.4 (http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=583).
It appears to work fine, by which I mean that I've tested it as far as seeing that the DVD boots ok as far as the install dialogue but I haven't actually run the complete installation.
Thanks for advise. I try but it at the end turn to blue screen. May i know how you download your ISO by portableapps?
Regarding Windows 2007. Have had the same password for a very long time. Everything working well until yesterday, when signing on to my computer, received a message that the password was incorrect. Quite impossible, I can assure you. Rebooted the computer to no avail. I do not have a password reset disk. I was told by Microsoft that my only option is to purchase Windows 8. I don't think I even have enough memory or the right bit(32/64)for that kind of installation. I'm infuriated. Please help if you can.
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