Windows 7 Reinstall

[Ronanwar]

So I am planning to re install Windows 7 on my computer. I lost the CD that I downloaded/installed Windows 7 from. I have another CD that is the upgrade from XP to 7 with a different Product Key. Is it possible to re install Windows 7 with that CD? I also have my old Product Key so I know what it is.

 

Appreciate it!

[crashdown287]

I don't think the upgrade disk will work

It is possible to download .iso files that you can burn onto a disk

[rustikles]

As long as it's just a standard Windows 7 installation disc with the proper version, yes you can do that and put it the product key later.

 

If it doesn't work because the upgrade version is different, look here for the .iso

Edit: I just checked that thread, and as of today, the links no longer work. Sorry 

"As of January 30th, 2014 Microsoft seems to have shut down all known links to the Windows 7 ISOs."

[Benjio]

I believe Upgrade Disks/Product Keys only work if you already have another version of Windows actually installed. Just download the ISO and put it on a flash drive.

[Ithar]

Everyone saying you must have a real disk is correct, you cannot install with an upgrade disk, or a disc from an oem pc manufacturer(unless it is the one for your machine obviously). You will just have to find a Windows 7 ISO image online and burn it to a disk using ImgBurn. Keep in mind that the ISO you find will have to be the right version of Win7, Home, Pro, Ultimate, etc, for it to work with your product key.

[Quaker]

You could download and burn an ISO, or you could just borrow someone else's Windows CD and use it (with your key). Just be sure, as said above, that you use the same version of  Windows that matches your product key. You could also copy someone else's CD for future use. This is not "illegal" - it's the genuine product key that matters, not the CD/DVD itself. (Which is why MS allowed people to download ISOs.)

 

In the case of Win XP there used to be a difference between the OEM and the retail versions and the keys wouldn't work on the different installs, but I think in the case of Win 7 you just need to make sure you have the proper version - i.e. Home Premium - and it doesn't matter if it's Retail or OEM. (The difference is probably in the key, not the disc.)

 

P.s I've done this lots of times. Often, when people bring their computers here to be fixed, they neglect to bring their Windows disc, so I just use mine (and their key) if I need to install, re-install, repair, etc.