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Microsoft itself has provided Windows installation media for download since Windows 8, including Windows 7 media. All you have to do is read your key off BIOS o

• sliverstorm 12y ago
  Unless things have changed, usually the sticker key is only valid for a certain kind of media. E.g. VLK's only work with VLK images, retail keys only work with retail images...
  • ptaipale 12y ago
    Just recently installed Windows 7 Pro on a HP ProBook thing: - looked up the Windows and Office license keys of the existing installation, using an utility - download Windows 7 disk image from Microsoft and burn on a DVD - take out the old disk with recovery partitions and installation with crappy bloatware - put in a new SSD disk, boot DVD to install OS and install Office - download and install HP specific drivers for peripherals (display adapter, fingerprint reader, wlan/3g, whatever) - enjoy a relatively bloat-free Windows experience with improved battery life
    • CptMauli 12y ago
      I did the same, worked flawlessly. The only PITA was to put the ISO image on an USB stick.
      • techtics 12y ago
        It shouldn't be. You either use the "Media Creation Tool" which also can download the ISO or you the "Windows USB/DVD Download Tool". http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-re... http://wudt.codeplex.com/ http://wudt.codeplex.com/
  • mahouse 12y ago
    I usually use a KMS key to install and then use the Windows+Pause dialog to change my product key to the key that is stored in my BIOS.
  • malexw 12y ago
    That's true, but in the past I've found that if I call Microsoft support and explain that I'm re-installing, they'll give me a new key over the phone.
• Dylan16807 12y ago
  Free? I thought that was only if you already had 7 or 8 installed.
  • cdr 12y ago
    Yes, Windows 10 requires having 7 or 8. Still free.