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Windows 7 Recovery disks to install on MacBook using Boot Camp

Anonymous
2019-02-16T15:31:36+00:00

Hello Commuinity,

I have an older MacBook 5,1 Intel Core 2 Duo (64 bit), 2,13 GHz running Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6.8) and I need to install Windows. I have these Windows 7 Recovery disks 1 - 5 from a 2011 HP. Can I use them to install Windows 7 on my MacBook using Boot Camp 3.0.4. I tried to doing it but the Windows 7 could not boot the set up. The Windows files kept loading for 6 hours to no avail.

Can anyone tell me what I can do or if I can use these Recovery disks.

Thank-you to anyone who is listening.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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Anonymous
2019-02-16T20:54:15+00:00

Windows 7 does not come for free.

If you have a set of recovery disks from HP you can't use them to install 7 on your Mac.

They would have been for the HP machine to do a Recovery back to its factory settings including the Drivers for its hardware, auto activation, etc., etc.

This is how transferring Windows licenses works:

If the Laptop/Computer came with the Windows Operating System preinstalled (Dell, HP, Acer, etc) , that Product Key that came with the Laptop/Computer is for the preinstalled OEM License and is non-transferable.

The OEM License/Product Key (preinstalled Operating Systems on Dell, HP, etc machines) is tied to the first machine it is installed on and dies when that machine dies.

The above rule also applies to OEM System Builders Licenses.

Retail Operating System License, that you buy and install yourself, are allowed to be transferred to another machine.

But Retail Licenses can also only be installed on one machine at any particular time.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-02-18T03:10:49+00:00

    And before you buy anything also check with Apple about using Boot Camp to install Windows.

    https://www.howtogeek.com/186907/how-to-install-windows-on-a-mac-with-boot-camp/

    What Version of Windows Can I Run?

    Which version of Windows you can run depends on your Mac: recent models support only Windows 10, while some older Macs only work with older versions of Windows. Here’s a quick outline, along with links to Apple’s official lists of supported models.

    • Windows 10is supported on most Macs made in 2012 and later
    • Windows 8.1is supported on most Macs made between 2010 and 2016, with some exceptions.
    • Windows 7is supported, for the most part, only on Macs made in 2014 and earlier, and you’ll need an even older Mac to run Windows Vista or XP.

    Note that Macs can only run 64-bit, non-Enterprise versions of Windows.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-02-18T03:03:04+00:00

    You are welcome.

    Yes, the preinstalled OEM license dies when the original machine it came on dies and even if it was still working you can't transfer OEM licenses anyway.

    About buying a new Windows 7 license:

    Support from Microsoft for Windows 7 ends in Jan, 2020.

    And Microsoft no longer sells 7.

    You have to take your chances with websites like Amazon.com, etc.

    Windows 7 is getting very expensive due to its scarcity and also the Net abounds with dodgy non-legit offers of sale for 7.

    Warning:

    You do not buy a Product Key by itself, as they are normally stolen/pirated, Volume Licenses which are not for private use, or MSDN keys which are not to be sold by the original subscription holder.

    Make sure that you buy the complete sealed package (DVD, license)

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/Shop.aspx

    Read Section: Beware of Product Keys sold separately.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-02-18T02:55:32+00:00

    Hello Bill Smithers,

    Thank-you very much for your quick and helpful response. I understand; the pre-installed Windows licence I got with the HP computer I bought is tied to that machine. Therefore, it is just for that machine that doesn't work anymore. The Windows 7 is dead too. I'll bury it and buy a new one. Windows 7 from OEM is not transferable to other machines. I need to buy a new one.

    Eugene

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