Downloadable Win 7 OEM for ProBook

[ccpeters04]

I have seen several posts about recovering a PC/laptop that came pre-loaded with Windows 7 Pro OA (OEM version).  I'm sure in most cases people have the original setup still running and can make recovery media, as I have for several other computers.  I recently got about a dozen ProBook 6550b (and 2 6560b) laptops.  They were wiped and an OEM image loaded.  They all activate fine with the Microsoft key on the attached stickers, but I want to be able to recover them later if need be.  I have not seen any current methods for getting a download of an HP OEM ISO or other form of Win 7 Pro OEM.  Does anyone know if there is a way to get a copy (download would be preferred) so save these machines from the dump?  And I do realize I could find non-OEM copies of Win7 for purchase, but that defeats the purpose.

[WAWood]

@ccpeters04 

HP has never provided ISO downloads.  Years ago, they would allow you to purchase Recovery Media for Win7, but that was a set of disks, not an ISO, and not a download.

You can make recovery media on your own using a free utility known as Macrium Reflect -- if all you want is recovery media.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @ccpeters04 

The W7 retail file works with the OEM keys. 

I've installed W7 it many times using the retail file and have offered the retail ISO files to many forum members for both Home and Pro many times.

If you need a link to a W7 Pro retail ISO file download, I can provide you one that will be good for 24 hours.

You will need to use a USB flash drive, because the file is the 2018 update of the ISO file and exceeds 4.7 GB.

Otherwise, if you have any HP W7 Pro installation disks from any Elitebook 6930p or 8440p that came with W7, that will work on any HP PC--notebook or desktop without a key.

[ccpeters04]

@Paul_Tikkanen,

Thanks for the reply.  I had found what I thought was a valid W7 Pro retail (W/SP1) ISO a while back, but that did not work.  I would REALLY appreciate the download link for the ISO you have, at least to verify that the method works.  It's too bad that MS has killed their download server.  I understand it from their point of view, but for people like me that just have old machines that they want to keep running it's not so good.

Thanks again.  I'll be looking for the link...

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Below is the link to the W7 Pro 64 bit English (US) ISO file download.  Again, the link will be good for 24 hours from the time of this reply...

https://download.microsoft.com/download/0/6/3/06365375-C346-4D65-87C7-EE41F55F736B/7601.24214.180801...

[ccpeters04]

Downloading the file now.  I'll post back after I try it out.

[ccpeters04]

I managed to download the ISO, and I have tried everything to get the laptop to boot from the USB drive, but it simply will not do it.  Is there a trick to make the drive bootable?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Use the Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached below that you will need to transfer the ISO file to the USB flash drive so that it is bootable, or you can use a different free utility such as Rufus.

[ccpeters04]

Thank you @Paul_Tikkanen.  The file worked after I got the bootable USB drive thing straightened out.  OEM code on Probook worked with this version just fine.

It would be nice to have a version that would fit on a standard DVD, but at least I have a solution.

Thanks again

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.