since this is a Tech Support forum i thought it would be nice if people know where to get safe and legal download ISO's for Windows operating systems

 

Windows downloads for all operating systems

 

by Martin Brinkmann at ghacks.net

 

Most Windows PCs ship without installation disc or any other form of physical product that you can use to re-install the system. While you do get options to create recovery discs, it is not the same thing.

 

The same is true when you purchase upgrades online from Microsoft. You don't get a disc anymore unless you purchase it directly, and even if you do, you will notice that some versions of the operating system are not available as physical media.

 

It is unclear why Microsoft made it difficult in the past to download installation media directly from the company.

 

This guide offers direct links to programs or disc images that you can download legally to your system. You still need a valid Windows product key to use them though.

 

They can be useful to many Windows users. Those who want to transfer the operating system to a new PC or new hard drive, and those who want a backup in place to make sure they can reinstall the system when it stops working.

 

Note: All downloads below are from official sources only. It is not recommended to download Windows from unofficial sources. You can use the tools described below to burn or copy the installation files to disc or USB, or use a third-party disc burning program like ImgBurn or the operating system's burning option if supported to burn it directly to DVD.

 

You do need a valid product key for the operating system and version that you plan to install. Most can be used a certain amount of time, 30 days usually, without registration.

 

http://www.ghacks.net/2014/12/18/windows-downloads-for-all-operating-systems/

 

:)

 

James

 

p.s. feel free to delete if inappropriate here

Great Thread @lurkingatu2 . I knew you would be a asset to the forum. That is a legal site and a great thread. You just caused this old brain to remember that site. It's all legal my friend.

Thanks James!

Hi James.

I haven't tried your link as yet.

By the title it would suggest a Hacking Site.

 

I have always used Digital River in the past.

Hi James.

I haven't tried your link as yet.

By the title it would suggest a Hacking Site.

 

I have always used Digital River in the past.

Hi! @DSTM ! Digital River is also legal and a good site. I also prefer Digital Rivers.;)

Why not post the link Dougie??

It's Jame's Thread. I will if James asks.:)

lol DSTM thats what most people think

 

ghacks.net is a Technology blog and i'm sure the links lead to Digital River

 

i mabe new here but i would not lead no one to anything like that but i understand by the name

 

i just thought it could help people not try to get them from a torrent download if the time came that a iso was needed

 

i use these iso's to run on Virtualbox if i'm testing something since some have 30days

 

Virtualbox is very fun software for me to learn on

 

but feel free to delete this post if needed

 

:)

 

James

I asked a question which I am entitled to and you have answered it. Thankyou!

well i'm very sorry i thought this could help someone but the download links on the ghacks page lead to

 

HTTP Error 404 - File or directory not found.

 

not sure whats wrong with that

 

and i tryed to edit my first post to delete the link to that story but i could not

 

if someone would like to delete this post please

 

i'm very sorry i should of checked before i posted this

 

thanks again

 

:)

 

James

Your link works for me, James.

 

http://www.ghacks.net/2014/12/18/windows-downloads-for-all-operating-systems/

I appreciate your effort, James.

 

If I am correct, I believe the Windows downloads from Digital River are now gone, as of last week.

That's probably why the download links for the ISO's don't work.

 

Edit To Add: The ISO's that were available for Windows OS have been removed.

I knew that I read this somewhere recently about Digital River. What a shame, I used it frequently.

 

The ISO files that were available from Digital River for Windows operating systems have been pulled and transferred to a Microsoft site. Microsoft has stopped support for OEM installs via a ISO download.

 

More information here. http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/14-windows-7-direct-download-links

I just found this...

 

Windows 7 used to be available for public download on servers owned by Digital River, Microsoft's service provider for e-commerce. As of February 2015, these downloads have been pulled. "Free" access to the OS disk images is somewhat limited now, but a few options remain.

 

Important Note February 2015

 

The download servers msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net, msft.digitalrivercontent.net and azcdn01.digitalrivercontent.net have been taken down, and all Windows OS downloads have been pulled from the Azure storage.

 

Download from the new Recovery Centre

 

The takedown is probably permanent to force customers to download their installation media on the new Software Recovery Centre. The new site gives you access to the required ISO file in any of 19 available languages: Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Hong Kong), Chinese (traditional, Taiwan), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Spanish, Swedish.

 

However, entering a product key is mandatory. Unfortunately, only retail product keys will work. For users of OEM or System Builder (SB) licenses, the disk images are out of reach. The recovery centre is only available in supported regions. Outside the supported areas, you will need to connect via VPN or a proxy server to access the disk images.

 

What about OEM?

OEM and SB customers can't get their software through the recovery centre. However, Microsoft will send you a replacement disk instead. A small processing fee applies.

 

In case your OEM product is not eligible for a replacement disk, we suggest you get in touch with Microsoft customer care through the above link.

 

 

 

http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/14-windows-7-direct-download-links

Yep it was a sad day when Microsoft decided to not support OEM and took the downloads down from DR.

If you follow the links DR is down and they now go directly to Microsoft now.

well that sucks lol

 

i have Windows 8.1 so i still have Microsoft's create media tool and i'm glad i got a copy of Win 7 saved for my virtual machine's i still

have a Win Xp Home disk but Win 7 makes a better virtual machine to play with

 

nothing like making it harder to help people fix there computers

 

i should of checked before i posted so for that i'm sorry

 

thanks again to you all

 

:)

 

James

No worries, James. They just removed the Windows downloads last week. You couldn't have known.

Here's my 2 cents @lurkingatu2 Users should create their own restore media, but some users just put these things off, or they just don't understand. I have the 5 DVD's and a Flash drive with back to factory. I also created the system repair CD. Some users think they can always use the hidden partition to restore back to factory. That can get corrupted or your HD dies and then you're up the creek without a paddle. I thinks it's pretty sad when a company tries to save a few bucks by not supplying the OME with their product. It's a shame that Companies have gone to this. I guess that's what this old world has come two. My word is GREED!Shame on you Microsoft for removing the DR down loads. !! Your heart was in the right place James and no one is blaming you here at Free PC Help Forum for your thread. Don't let some thing like this keep you from posting on Free PC Help Forum. Microsoft is greedy just like the rest of them..

2% of the population have all the $$ and it doesn't look like that will change any time soon!!

PS Keep posting @lurkingatu2 We need members like you here on Free PC Help Forum

 

http://www.taxjustice.net/2015/01/19/report-will-top-1-wealth-99-2-years/

The downloads are still there, you just follow the links as they redirect you to Microsoft is all.