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How do I get a legal genuine version of Windows 7 64 Home Premium?

Anonymous
2019-06-02T17:05:33+00:00

I have an older computer that came with Windows 7 64 Home Premium and I upgraded to Windows 10 during the free offer.  I got a new computer and this one was saved as a back up.  I would like to return to Windows 7 64 Home Premium. I was advised to go to a site called www.getintopc.com to download an iso, then to use my product key to activate it.

Is this legal?

If not is there a way to get a legal genuine copy of Windows 7 64 Home Premium?

I am trying to set up my computer, back to its original, to play older games on, ie Age of Empires, Half Life, Civ, Alpha Centauri, Star Trek and Star Wars games.

Thanks for any help.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. LemP 74,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-06-02T18:14:18+00:00

    If I understand you correctly, you have a computer that was purchased with Windows 7 Home Premium x64 pre-installed.  You installed Windows 10 on this computer and now you want to re-install Windows 7.

    Assuming that the product key for Windows 7 Home Premium x64 is still legible on the COA sticker on the machine, you can reinstall Windows 7 by following the directions here:  https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install-wininstalls/clean-reinstall-windows-7/0ae269fd-167e-423b-94ef-26133f89e10c

    Skip the parts that don't apply to you.

    As the article linked above explains, you can get the required ISO file by using the tool downloaded from here:  https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

    The problem is that Microsoft is making it more and more difficult to access the latest version of the Windows 7 ISO files.  Heidoc, linked above, which is the only known place to obtain a legal and untampered-with copy of these ISO files for Windows 7, is having difficulties for this reason.

    As noted in the FAQ below, the August 2018 version of Windows 7 does seem to be generally available using the Heidoc tools.  If you use this, you'll just have to add more updates.  I don't know to what degree, if any, the Dell version has been customized.

    Here is the latest information from Heidoc:

    Q: I'm getting the message "This file is currently unavailable. Please check again later."

    A: The file can't currently be made available. The number of different downloads for Windows 7 and Office 2010 that we can offer at the same time is very limited. The files to be unlocked next are determined by community demand. Currently available downloads are highlighted in green. You can wait until your file becomes available again, or alternatively download the Windows 7 August 2018 update, or one of the DELL OEM images.

    Download options for Windows 7 and Office 2010 are currently severely restricted. New links can be generated every Wednesday from 00:00 UTC on a 'first come, first served' basis, and remain accessible until they expire.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-06-02T17:31:11+00:00
    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. LemP 74,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-06-02T18:14:47+00:00

    Hi,

    Visit this web page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

    This page will NOT accept OEM product keys.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2019-06-03T17:58:16+00:00

    Thanks for all the replies.

    Kickifor - I did put in my coa code, but it does not accept oem codes.

    LemP - Thanks for your answer, I am working my way through it.

    Bill Smithers - Thanks for your answer, I had fears that doing it that way would be illegal, good to know it is not.

    Thank you.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-06-02T21:33:25+00:00

    You can borrow the exact same edition of Windows 7 Retail DVD and use your Product Key on the COA sticker to reinstall the operating system.

    The COA sticker is either on the underside of the Laptop or in the Battery Compartment.

    With a Desktop it is either on the side, rear or top of the Computer Case.

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