Charles from MA. writes:
My HD crashed and I lost win 7 replacement discs. Is there any generic version of Win7 I can use? Thank You – Charlie
Microsoft is aware that many people are in the same boat with Windows 7 and may have lost (or never received) an installation disk. Thankfully, if you have access to a friend’s PC and a blank DVD you can burn a new copy of a Windows 7 installation disk by downloading the ISO image of the disk and burning it using an ISO burning program. I would recommend CDBurnerXP if you’re creating the disk in Windows XP/Vista, or if you have Windows 7 you can right click the ISO file and use the Windows ISO Burner, which is built into Windows 7.
You can download the ISO files below. I would recommend reinstalling the 64bit version, unless you’re using specific (older) software you know will only work on 32bit versions of Windows 7.
- Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
- Windows 7 Professional 32Bit
- Windows 7 Professional 64bit
Keep in mind, however, that you will still need your activation key for Windows 7, which is usually found on the side or rear panel on a sticker like the one pictured below. It may also be in the original literature you received with your computer and say Windows 7 key code or Windows 7 product key.
Hope this helps!
~Tim
Thanks Tim!! Wish I had known this before. Does this apply to ALL versions of Windows?? Thought I’d ask.
I just tried to download this ISO file. When I clicked, I get the response “File not Found.” I guess that link is dead.
Try this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7