Windows 7 has more than a decade behind it, however it continues to give good results with modest computers.
In many cases it has better driver compatibility and performance with older machines than Windows 10, which is why it's still an option in certain environments.
It has rock-solid stability and it's truly the most stable Windows desktop version ever released. On the other hand it's not currently receiving security updates.
Windows 7 Official Download Links
Although DigitalRiver downloads are no longer available, Microsoft has created new Windows 7 download links for Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate edition including all updates up August 2018.
However, these downloads are only available in English language, so you will have to install optional language packs if you need an additional language.
Important Note: It's recommended to download Professional edition instead of the others, as it can be activated via the KMS method which is the least intrusive and most recommended.
We have taken the trouble to compile a list of download links for both ISO images and language packs
Although Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packs can be downloaded via Windows Update, there's an option to download them directly for anyone who needs it.
To install a language pack you can use a portable application called Vistalizator that has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
How to activate Windows 7
Assuming that you've successfully installed Windows 7 on your computer, you have a 30-day time limit to use it before starting to receive annoying warnings that asks you to activate the product.
You already know how to download Windows 7 from the safest official source. So now we will describe how to activate Windows without the need of any third-party activators, thus avoiding the risk of getting malware.
Activate Windows 7 via the command prompt
Please note: This activation method is only supported for Professional and Enterprise editions. The other editions available do not support activation via the KMS method, so we discourage to install them.
Why install a loader when with a few simple console commands you can activate Windows 7 without programs?
It all starts with opening a CMD window with administrator permissions from the start menu
Using the slmgr /xpr command we can verify the current status of our license. You can see that we're in trial mode.
Step 1. We need to install a generic license to replace the one that's assigned for the trial period
We do this by typing this command in the console
slmgr /ipk YOURPRODUCTKEY
Depending on your edition, choose one from the list.
- Windows 7 Professional: FJ82H-XT6CR-J8D7P-XQJJ2-GPDD4
- Professional N: MRPKT-YTG23-K7D7T-X2JMM-QY7MG
- Professional E: W82YF-2Q76Y-63HXB-FGJG9-GF7QX
- Windows 7 Enterprise: 33PXH-7Y6KF-2VJC9-XBBR8-HVTHH
- Enterprise N: YDRBP-3D83W-TY26F-D46B2-XCKRJ
- Enterprise E: C29WB-22CC8-VJ326-GHFJW-H9DH4
Step 2. The product key has been installed. We proceed to configure the KMS server that will validate the specified license.
slmgr /skms kms8.MSGuides.com
Step 3. After these steps, you can proceed to activate Windows 7 with this short command
slmgr /ato
Keep in mind that when you activate Windows via a KMS server, the activation is maintained for a period of 180 days. Within this period, it is necessary to make an eventual check against the KMS server to keep your license validated.
To display the license information you can type slmgr /dli. With slmgr /xpr you can check for the remaining grace period since the last validation with the KMS Server
Script to activate Windows 7
If you need to activate Windows 7 in more than one PC, this script might be useful to save you some time
Step 1. Copy all the text from above and paste it into notepad
Step 2. Go to File > Save and give the document any name, but don’t forget to put the .cmd extension at the end
Step 3. Right click on the file you’ve just saved and launch with admin privileges
If after some seconds the console shows Product Activated Successfully, then your Windows is activated
With slmgr /xpr you can check for the remaining grace period since the last validation with the KMS Server
Frequently Asked Questions
The slmgr.vbs script is intended for volume activation and part of the Windows tools
KMS stands for Key Management Service. It’s a method developed by Microsoft to simplify activation of volume-licensed products.
As long as you have a KMS server configured that remains active, you can keep the product activated for unlimited time. Just make sure you have an internet connection, as every 180 days the license is rechecked against the server.