Downloading an ISO for Windows 7 Pro 64 bit

This was especially handy for persons who could not easily obtain recovery media from the manufacturer, did not want to pay the cost required to obtain it or preferred a clean configuration without the manufacturers bundled software or even a non-functional recovery partition. It was easy to use, all you had to do was reinstall and reactivate using the product key located on the certificate of authenticity and download any appropriate drivers from the manufacturers website.

Since this option is no longer available, what are your options? In this article, we take a look at what users can do if they end up in a situation needing such media.

What to do if you cannot get recovery media from your manufacturer, refuse to use or purchase it or the Microsoft Software Recovery Website is not working?

Your next best option is to borrow the corresponding retail edition (upgrade or full version) or OEM System Builder disc from a friend or family member who has a Windows 7 disc. You can also borrow any of the following editions: Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate and create your own disc which will give you the option of selecting the desired edition you are licensed for.

Identifying the edition - Windows 7 comes in many editions, you need to get the edition that corresponds with your product key. You can easily identify this according to the disc and labelling. Also note, you need to obtain the architecture you desire, so if you need 32 or 64 bit Windows 7, you need to specifically borrow that disc. See below:

Retail

OEM System Builder

If the disc does not look like any of the above, these instructions will not work. If you are running editions of Windows 7 such as Starter and Home Basic, these instructions should also work. Keep in mind, Starter is only available in a 32 bit architecture, so a 32 bit disc will be required if you need to reinstall that particular edition.

Create a digital replica of the disc

Once you have obtained a copy of the disc, the first step is to turn it into a .ISO file. This will require you have access to a computer with a DVD drive. Follow the instructions in the following article to create a .ISO file:

http://notebooks.com/2011/07/08/how-to-backup-your-software/

Once you have a .ISO copy of the software, you can return the disc to your friend or family member and follow the instructions to create your own bootable copy:

You can then use the Microsoft .iso to USB/DVD tool to create a bootable DVD or USB (requires a blank DVD or USB flash stick of at least 4 GB).

Removing the ei.cfg file

Tools you will need for this task:

• eicfg_removal_utility.zip – is a simple tool that will remove the ei.cfg from any Windows ISO disc image, thereby converting the image into a “universal disc” that will prompt the user to select an edition during setup. It’s a free download here

We will edit the image (ISO) and remove the ei.cfg file so we can reveal all editions of Windows 7 during the installation.

Lets take a look at doing it step by step.

After downloading the eicfg removal utility, you need to extract it, since its in a .zip file. Just right click it and click Extract All.

Double click the eicfg_remover.exe file to launch it.

Browse to where the Windows 7 Image (.ISO file) is stored, select it and click Open.

That’s it! the ei.cfg file is now removed.

Deleting the ei.cfg file from a thumbdrive with the installation files already.

Browse the thumb drive, open the Sources folder and delete the ei.cfg file. If you are planning to install from a DVD, you will need to edit .ISO file before doing so.

Booting from your installation media:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Start-your-computer-from-a-Windows-7-installation-disc-or-USB-flash-drive

OR

 How To Load BIOS and Change Boot Configuration

Windows 7 will boot as it normally does into the setup environment, the only difference this time is, you will be given a choice to select the edition of Windows 7 you want to reinstall.

Select the Windows 7 edition you have a license for and proceed with the installation as normal.

This is an involved process, but with a little time set aside, you can achieve the above results. When complete, I suggest you backup the installation to an external hard disk:

http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/24/how-to-backup-your-installation-of-windows-7/