How to make a Windows 7 DVD + Activate Successfully

[suchuwato]

Updated May 2013 (removed the powershell script because it didn't work properly anymore and added instructions instead)

 

Burn a DVD

If you've bought a Windows 7 upgrade via Digital River, and you want to make a DVD for a clean install:

• Download attached ZIP, extract and move oscdimg.exe into /System32
• 7util.zip
• Leave the expandedSetup folder and all other downloaded files on your desktop
• Run Command Prompt as Admin
• Type the following, replacing USER with your username and 7.iso with the filename you want:
  
  oscdimg -u2 -b"C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Desktop\expandedSetup\boot\etfsboot.com" -h "C:Documents and Settings\USER\Desktop\expandedSetup" C:7.iso
   
• Run the command, and you should see a percentage as it makes the ISO
• Burn the ISO to a DVD

You can now install Windows 7 from a new or formatted disk without worrying about the upgrade nonsense.

Activation / Product Key Issues

If, when you do a fresh install of Windows 7, your Product Key is invalid then:

• Continue to install without using a Product Key
• Once you've reached the desktop, run 'regedit'
• Navigate to: Local Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\OOBE
• Edit the key 'MediaBootInstall' and change it's value to '0'
• Close Registry Editor and run 'cmd'
• Type 'slmgr /rearm' and hit enter
• Restart
• Activate Windows as normal

Edited May 27, 2013 by suchuwato

[insan3]

i didnt do this, but i tryed the USB way and it worked.

 

Here's the link.

http://www.notebooks.com/2009/10/22/how-to...grade-bootable/

Edited October 23, 2009 by insan3

[suchuwato]

Cool stuff

[Agallion]

burning now

[Bizzlenitch]

+1 for this thread. Installed my 7 Pro using the same method on the 22nd.

[slick2500]

I just downloaded the .iso, but Microsoft made a program so you can run the iso from a usb drive. Let me find a link to it.

 

-EDIT- Ok found it here it is.

Edited October 27, 2009 by slick2500

[Vooduu]

Works like a charm.Thanks Suchuwato :thumbs-up:

[suchuwato]

It looks like it's actually a full version of Windows 7 Pro as it didn't see if i had vista before and activated fine. It's probably all over the net, but news to me!

 

Edit: 262 downloads? Possibly my most useful ever post then

[dr_bowtie]

It looks like it's actually a full version of Windows 7 Pro as it didn't see if i had vista before and activated fine. It's probably all over the net, but news to me!

 

Edit: 262 downloads? Possibly my most useful ever post then

 

yes...sweet thread...good job guys:)

[greengiant912]

I just ordered the cd for the extra $10 or wtvr...

[adil75]

It works for me. Thank you pal

[chbrandt]

For some reason, I am getting an error:

 

ERROR: Unable to create file "C:\7.iso of ######### bytes.

Erorr 5: Access is denied.

 

I am sure that my user account is an admin account, and I've double checked that I have the correct files in the right spots. Are there permissions I need to change? Is there a certain way to run a command prompt as an admin other than BEING an admin and opening a cmd prompt?

 

Thanks