Windows 7 Download

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Windows 7 Download

Spirax

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#242680 9-Nov-2018 09:47

I have a refurbished Dell laptop bought from PBTech. I need to reinstall the OS using the key on the label in the battery compartment. Went to the MS website, entered the key and got the reply below.

"ERROR - The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options."

I have contacted PBTech and await their reply. In the meantime I downloaded a Win 7 ISO from another site (seems legit) but before I burn it to a DVD can the experts out there let me know if I will encounter the same roadblock as above.

Thanks in advance.

1 | 2

8667 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3883

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2122563 9-Nov-2018 09:52

If you got it from "another site" it won't be legit, you're risking a lot by using that. Have you done what the message says and contacted Dell for a recovery disk? PB Tech will probably tell you you're on your own. Failing all that get Windows 10 and upgrade the laptop.

lxsw20

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2174

Subscriber

#2122573 9-Nov-2018 10:09

You need a Windows 7 OEM disk/iso.

Andib

1395 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 974

ID Verified

Trusted

#2122622 9-Nov-2018 10:46

You might be better off using a Windows 10 ISO.

AFAIK you can still activate Windows 10 using Windows 7 keys.

<#
.DISCLAIMER
Anything I post is my own and not the views of my past/present/future employer.
#>

SpartanVXL

1498 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 666

#2122657 9-Nov-2018 11:33

Andib:
You might be better off using a Windows 10 ISO.

AFAIK you can still activate Windows 10 using Windows 7 keys.

Disclaimer I may be remembering wrong but I believe this only works for standard OEM keys but not for the manufacturer specific licenses Dell/HP/Lenovo stick on the bottom of pre-builts/laptops. You need to get a build of windows that accepts the key, then upgrade it afterwards.

askelon

942 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 233

ID Verified

#2122670 9-Nov-2018 12:02

Try this: https://www.dell.com/support/home/nz/en/nzdhs1/drivers/osiso/recoverytool/win

Hammerer

2480 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 802

Lifetime subscriber

#2122690 9-Nov-2018 13:04

Did you use this page to try to download Windows 7? https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows7

Sadly I just binned the relevant Windows 7 install disk last night when I did a big cleanout! But I have another Windows 7 retail box with both 32-bit and 64-bit DVD disks for Home Premium. It is an upgrade version which, from memory, did work with an OEM key on Dell and HP systems. And it is possible to install directly from it particularly if the Windows key is in UEFI:

https://www.infoworld.com/article/2630289/microsoft-windows/microsoft-confirms-windows-7-clean-install-trick-is-legal.html

If you want the pack, you can have it. I see that you're probably in Wellington. I'm in Lower Hutt but I am going bush for the weekend and leaving via Wellington CBD this afternoon. So I could drop it off depending on your actual location.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1425

Subscriber

#2122697 9-Nov-2018 13:16

A clean install of windows 10 will probably work quite nicely.

I have been very pleasantly surprised how pretty much everything (audio/networking etc) seems to just work straight away.

Sometimes it then takes a pass or two of windows update and it installs improved video drivers (for example) - but pretty usuable straight away.

Works particualrly well if you pop an SSD drive in too ( < $50 for 120GB drive).

Not sure how you will get on trying to re-use a key - its true that a windows 7 key can be used to activate windows 10 - but it depends on the keys.

Remember there is a current bug with MS activation right now though : https://www.pcworld.com/article/3319697/windows/windows-10-activation-problems-november-2018.html

Windows 10 is actually pretty usable even if you dont activate it though - maybe worth you trying it first and see if its a better solution.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2153
Inactive user

#2122700 9-Nov-2018 13:29

Whats people thoughts on this website which supplies ISO images?

https://softlay.net/operating-system/windows-7-professional-full-version-free-download-iso-32-64-bit.html

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1425

Subscriber

#2122709 9-Nov-2018 13:37

You would never know what a third party might have 'injected' into the copies of windows they have on their sites.

It would always be a gamble.

I am not condoning installing windows without a valid key or activation, but at least a W10 image from the MS site will be clean.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Spirax

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#2122793 9-Nov-2018 15:22

Thank you all for your advice.

I had considered Win 10 but as the laptop is destined for an older lady with no computing experience and I have no Win 10 knowledge I thought Win 7 is better.

PBTech have replied with a return authorisation so if all else fails over the weekend I will return it to them. I will also explore the links you have sent.

Again, thank you all.

Lias

5655 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3978

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2123041 9-Nov-2018 22:18

You can use the Dell OS Recovery Tool to create a bootable USB.

See https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/osiso/recoverytool

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup. Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

SATTV

1670 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 657

ID Verified

#2123087 10-Nov-2018 07:17

If you want to install windows 10, there is a two step process either which is update windows 7 to windows 10 ( 1709 or below ) otherwise it will not activate or processed and will say you dont have a valid licence.

Wipe clean and install Windows 10 1803

Wipe clean install 1709 and activate with the W7 key, reinstall with 1803.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

Spirax

72 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#2123357 10-Nov-2018 16:58

Thank you Lias and askelon. The links work but the tool does not recognise either the service tag or express service code.

It looks like I will be returning the laptop to PBTech.

I am unwilling to install Win 10 until they iron the bugs out - maybe a year or so :)

NightStalker

327 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 159

#2123428 10-Nov-2018 19:54

during boot (when you should see F2, F12 etc) try F8 (its possibly not displayed as an option). It might bring up the recovery options if its installed on the hard drive.

irongarment

280 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 134
Inactive user

#2123464 11-Nov-2018 06:08

I just bought an ex-lease laptop from PB Tech too! It's a Dell, and has Windows 7 (either because that's the vintage that was installed originally, or because it's the most recent version that doesn't suck abominably).

Anyway, the hardware was cheap, and it's fine. I'm going to put Linux on it. No license fees, no mess, no fuss.

Since your end user has no computer experience just stick Linux on it and tell her how to start Firefox.

1 | 2