mac - Install Windows on a MacBook Prod legally
2014-07
AngocA
I have a MacBook pro retina, and I want to buy and install a Windows 7 on (in a bootcamp partition and/or virtualized via VirtualBox). However, I do not know how to get it legally in a non-physical format.
I could buy the Windows box in a store, but it has a DVD, and my Mac does not have DVD player. Thus, this is not an option.
I cannot find any Windows distribution in a USB drive or a way to download a ISO legally.
My question is where can I buy a Windows license and use it for my Mac.
In other companies and there is a place to download the ISO or installers that you already paid for. For example IBM with PassportAdvantage, or Oracle with OTN.
CalvT
What Jamie says is quite right. To buy the key, you can use Sofway who will send you the key and download links via email. They are perfectly legit, I'm not from them but have used them in the past.
EDIT: Alternatively just install windows 7 by using the links above, then when it asks for product key in the setup, just press enter, which will give you a 30 day trial. Then after the install, windows will ask you to buy windows 7, and take you to their website.
Jamie Taylor
You can download the image of it direct from Microsoft according to (this message on their board](http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/where-can-i-download-windows-7-iso-i-have-a/7d964b05-2be9-4800-bc7f-3ca30356fc3d)
I realise that this is pretty much a "Link only answer" but I'm not sure how else to convey this.
Other versions are available from this post
Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso
Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso
Windows 7 Professional 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso
Windows 7 Professional 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso
flybywire
After a brief flirt with Linux, I want to install the original Windows in my laptop. But I discovered my linux install totally deleted the partition where the factory windows image was stored.
I can I legally install Windows with my Laptop's license key?
Django Reinhardt
Yes, it should be absolutely fine to install the copy of Windows that came with your laptop. Go for it!
fred
Or, do the also legal thing, download an OEM ISO for the windows version your laptop came with (in my case a dell XP Pro) and use the key on the bottom of your laptop.
Completely legal, as you have the key and you are using the source media to restore your devices factory state.
When I had to do this I contacted both Microsoft and dell, they didn't like the fact I'd already downloaded the ISO, but said there was no legal issue using it since I would be using a valid key for it.
Hope this helps.
Eric U.
Call the manufacturer that you acquired the laptop from and they should send you a disc if the laptop came preinstalled.
I've done this with a dell laptop that I owned. Took awhile to get the disc tho (couple of weeks)
Michael Kohne
Check the answers to this ServerFault question.
TheLQ
In short, yes you can because you have a legal key. In reality, when you buy big software like Windows you are buying not the disk but the license key to use said disk.
Might I suggest the links here? I've used them on 6 machines now and they work perfectly.