up vote 0 down vote favorite

I have several Windows 7 Ultimate license keys that I downloaded a while ago from when I had an MSDN subscription. These are legitimate keys and have not been used elsewhere by me.

Today I went to download from Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files). This page wanted to know my license key before it would initiate a download, and when I put one of my keys the site responded with:

Error

The product key you provided is for a product not currently supported by this site or may be invalid. Please try again or visit the Microsoft Support Contact Us page for assistance.

Is this a genuine problem with my license key, or a problem with a license key that is associated with the Ultimate version?

I do have (pre SP1) ISO files of the same vintage as the keys I have, but I wanted to download something more moderne with the latests updates already baked in.

After a bit of searching around I did find in the Windows Download FAQ

My Windows 7 product key won't verify. What's the problem?

The most common issue is the use of a product key for a product not currently supported by the site such as an Upgrade key, an MSDN key, product keys for pre-installed media or an Enterprise edition key. For access to MSDN products or Enterprise edition visit the MSDN Portal or the Volume Licensing Service Center. Upgrades and pre-installed media are not currently supported by the tools on the site. If you believe you have a valid product key and are still receiving an error, please contact Support.

Thus the problem was the type of key I had, so the best solution for me right now is magicandre's answer

share|improve this question
  • 4
    I would be surprised if a retail download would allow an MSDN product key. – Bill_Stewart Feb 14 '17 at 22:39
  • "I do have ISO files of the same vintage as the keys I have, but I wanted to download something more moderne with the latests updates already baked in." In your current situation, I would utilize the ISO images you already have. Remember that SP1 for Windows 7 was actually released six years ago, and the images you are trying to download probably won't have any additional updates integrated into them after that. One way or another, a clean install of Windows 7 involves a lot of Windows Updates. – Run5k Feb 15 '17 at 2:35
  • @Run5k Yesterday I started a W7 system that was last run and updated about 4 months ago. It sucked down a bunch of updates. – Peter M Feb 15 '17 at 12:21
  • @Bill_Stewart Why should the source of the key matter? Ultimate is a retail product. I have a valid Ultimate key. After the install the system will still phone home to validate the key used for the installation. – Peter M Feb 15 '17 at 12:24
  • 1
    @Bill_Stewart I take it back. I just found a FAQ on the MS site that clearly states what you said. – Peter M Feb 15 '17 at 12:30
up vote 0 down vote accepted

You can download any Windows 7 ISO from this page without providing any product key. It generates valid download links from Microsoft servers for all Windows versions.

  • Select Windows 7 Sp1 (Build 7601) and Windows 7 Ultimate Sp1

enter image description here

  • now select the Language you want to download:

enter image description here

  • and finally select the architecture (32 or 64Bit):

enter image description here

  • now you see a download button on the right side.

enter image description here

Now download the ISO from the link , which is valid for 24 hours.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking "Post Your Answer", you acknowledge that you have read our updated terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy, and that your continued use of the website is subject to these policies.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.