Microsoft Now Lets You Download Windows 7 ISOs With a Valid License
If you don’t have a Windows 7 disc on hand, but want to create a custom installation , start Windows from a USB stick, or just do a fresh install, you’ll need the disc ISO file. Previously, you could download them from Digital River servers , but these links no longer work. Microsoft now has a Software Recovery Center where you can download these ISO images for free.
This is not piracy, of course – you still need a valid Windows license to download the ISO and register Windows. If you purchased a retail version of Windows, enter the product key from the package. If you can’t find it, use a program like Magical Jelly Bean KeyFinder . Once Microsoft confirms your product key, you can download Windows and use the Windows 7 USB Download Tool to place it on your flash drive.
However, if you have Windows installed on your computer, it is likely an OEM version that will not work on Microsoft’s new site. Instead, if you want to reinstall Windows without the extra software , you may have to borrow the disc from someone and use the product key when reinstalling.
Windows 8.1 users have always been able to download ISOs using Microsoft’s tool now available from here .
Welcome to Microsoft Software Recovery Center | Microsoft