Share via

I have a Windows 7 Pro product key sticker on my PC I bought, is it legal for me to use it and can I download Windows7 iso from heidoc?

Anonymous
2020-07-12T15:00:03+00:00

Hello guys, so I bought a PC which is a lenovo prebuilt, it is an older machine, on the side panel of the case, there is the oem Windows 7 pro product key, it's not scraped off, I can read it with ease. Is it legal for me to use this product key, because I bought the machine but the sticker was left on it ? And when I enter this prioduct key on the Windows 7 iso download page from microsoft, I get an error that I need the OEM version of windows installed and not use this regular ISO. Can I use the tool from heidoc or this https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php to download Windows 7 Pro iso and use my product key? ( is it legal ) 

tldr

  1. Can I use the product key for Windows which I have on the side panel of the case, is it legal for me to do that, because the PC is in my possession right now, I bought it for 150$ from a guy, it's not a stolen machine or anything?
  2. Can I use this product key to activate a retail Windows 7 installation?
  3. Can I use the tool from heidoc or from https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php to download a Win7 Pro iso from the official microsoft servers because I can't get to the download link when I enter my OEM product key on the official Windows 7 Download Page ? ( is it legal )

Thank you in advance !

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Licensing and activation

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-12T20:00:55+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.

    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

    Use Heidoc:

    Download the correct ISO file and make your own disk and use the Product Key that is on the COA Sticker. This is on a first come, first served weekly basis.

    https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

    Download: Windows ISO Downloader.exe

    And here are instructions on how to burn ISO images to disk:

    http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ISORecorder.html

    You change the Boot Order in the BIOS to be able to boot from your installation media:

    How to Boot Your Computer From a Disc or USB Drive

    How to access Boot Menu:

    https://neosmart.net/wiki/boot-usb-drive/

    Then do a clean install:

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

    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.

    Using the downloaded ISO file Method may require phone Activation.

    It may require that you use phone Activation.

    "How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone"

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

    The above method also will require you to go to your Computer Manufacturer's website > Support and Downloads Section > locate your Model Number and Operating System > then download and install the latest Drivers for it.

    ________________________________________________

    Using the USB method in conjunction with the above Windows 7 download:

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create.html

    "How to Get and Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool"

    http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31541-windows-7-usb-dvd-download-tool.html

    ________________________________________________

    And this is very good and easy to use:

    Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

    Cheers.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments

19 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-12T15:41:21+00:00

    I cant find any download for my Lenovo pc, I used the serial, I only get the drivers and some additional bloatware to install, but no iso to download, I'm gonna try that tool, thank you

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Pauli O 15,375 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-07-12T15:39:46+00:00

    On this forum I have seen MVP's and Independent Advisors recommending to use  https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php to download images, so go for it, but as I wrote check manufacturer

    support site firs. At least I know that Dell offer free download for their PC's.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-07-12T15:27:05+00:00

    Is it entirely legal to download from there ? I don't want to do something which is illegal, can you confirm with some evidence that this is allowed? And thank you for the answer

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Pauli O 15,375 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-07-12T15:18:29+00:00
    1. Yes, you can use that product key to activate Windows 7. It's OEM key only for that PC.
    2. Yes, again. Only difference between OEM and Retail media is that Retail media doesn't have manufacturer own drivers/additional software included.
    3. Yes, you can use those sites to download, but check first if your PC manufacturer offer download of their original installation image.

    Just remember that Windows 7 support is ended on January. You can still use Windows 7, but there will be no more security updates.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments