Installing windows 7 to a SSD from a prebuilt version

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somebody480

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Jan 23, 2015
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I have a specific issue that I haven't seen in any other threads.

I am currently running windows 7 from a prebuilt ASUS, on my HDD. I have a new SSD that I want to reinstall windows 7 to -- not transfer, I want to do a clean install. After getting it on my SSD I will remove the OS from the HDD and use it for storage.

Using a program, I have the OEM product key and an empty 16gb usb to boot from to install. However when I try to use the product key to get a valid ISO of win 7 here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7

I get an error.

How can I do a clean install of win 7 onto my SSD with this issue? I do not want to have to buy an extra windows 7 for the same computer.

Update with solution: If you have the same issue as me, you will not be able to download the .ISO for win 7 with an OEM key through microsoft. However, you are still legally allowed to download the .ISO elsewhere, and proceed as normal with your OEM product key. This is all legal, and Microsoft is not against doing this, even though it's a bit roundabout.

I suggest using the sources here to obtain safe .ISO downloads: http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/
 
Solution
azaran
The process as I've read it is, download the update and update to 10 on your original drive. Activate it on that drive. Then according to the sites I've seen, you can do a full clean install. At that point you'd use their tool to download the ISO and create a bootable USB drive. Boot off the USB and install on to your SSD. Run through the activation process and it should work fine, since its a new HD it wont be seamless but at most you should have to just reactivate. I haven't done it personally but MS has come out and said it can be done. Just make sure all your stuff is backed up before doing anything.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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For an OEM Win 7 license, the only way to obtain the install media is going through Asus.
If the original factory recovery partition exists, there may be a function to create you own DVD set.
Otherwise, it may actually cost $$.

This will, unfortunately, be the original factory install load, which includes all their bloatware.
 
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somebody480

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Jan 23, 2015
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1: "The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options."
2: Home
3: CM6850
 
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azaran

azaran

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Feb 17, 2010
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Yeah sounds like MS isn't going to be an option on this one. Best bet is to contact Asus. While your recovery disk options may be pretty slim, they may just have a general OEM disk (sans software recovery) they can sell you. Try sending in a ticket to their support staff and they'll be able to give you the options available to you.
https://vip.asus.com/VIP2/Services/QuestionForm/TechQuery

As an alternative... Windows 7 has a free update to Windows 10. If you upgraded to 10, after activating and all that jazz you can then do a clean install of 10 on to the new drive using the ISO provided by Microsoft. Its kind of a round about way of doing it, and it would mean having to use Win10 instead of Win7 but it would allow you to stay within the licensing of your OS so it might be a good option to consider.
 
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somebody480

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Jan 23, 2015
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10,510

That's funny, I actually just reverted back to windows 7 from win 10 to try and get the right product key. So I simply update to win 10, download the win 10 iso for the SSD... then activate it with the same product key?
 
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azaran

azaran

Splendid
Feb 17, 2010
3,594
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26,960
The process as I've read it is, download the update and update to 10 on your original drive. Activate it on that drive. Then according to the sites I've seen, you can do a full clean install. At that point you'd use their tool to download the ISO and create a bootable USB drive. Boot off the USB and install on to your SSD. Run through the activation process and it should work fine, since its a new HD it wont be seamless but at most you should have to just reactivate. I haven't done it personally but MS has come out and said it can be done. Just make sure all your stuff is backed up before doing anything.
 
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