The Official Windows 7 Repository

The Official Windows 7

Repository
Welcome!
This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to get Microsoft Windows 7 for
free and safely in 4 simple steps. You'll learn how to download, install and
activate Windows 7 using the safest and most reliable method available. The
philosophy behind this guide is to promote universal access to knowledge for
every human being. Free software is also being slightly introduced throughout
the guide.

Part 1 of 4: Download Windows 7

The fastest way to download Windows 7 is using BitTorrent, which is a P2P protocol for file
sharing. Not only BitTorrent provides high speed of download for popular files, but it also
gives you the opportunity to improve other people's download speed.

To download files using BitTorrent you need an application that supports the BitTorrent
protocol (called a "BitTorrent client"). The most popular BitTorrent client is µTorrent, however
be careful when installing µTorrent since it includes an (optional) adware called "Ask.com
toolbar", so don't forget to reject it during its installation. Feel free to use any other BitTorrent
client.

Once you have a BitTorrent client, download the tiny ".torrent" file bellow that belong to the
version that you want (32 bits or 64 bits). This file will be directly opened with your BitTorrent
client and the download will start instantly. The magnet link is another method to start
downloading a file with your BitTorrent client.
• Microsoft Windows 7 32 Bits — Link is broken? Use the Magnet-link instead.
• Microsoft Windows 7 64 Bits — Link is broken? Use the Magnet-link instead.

Those 2 ISOs above allow you to have Windows in any language that you want (35
languages available).
› Take a look at part 5-F bellow to select your language.

These ISOs also allow you to install any edition that you want (Ultimate, Professional, Home
Premium, Home Basic, Starter).
› Take a look at part 5-G bellow to quickly unlock other editions.

Note: By default it will install the Ultimate edition.

Note: Multi-language is available only if you install the Ultimate edition.

Part 2 of 4: Check authenticity

You must absolutely check authenticity of the ISO file you've just downloaded. Doing so will
confirm that it hasn't been modified by anyone, that it's clean from spywares and viruses, and
that it is free from corruption or any transfer error.

To confirm the authenticity of the ISO file you downloaded, all you have to do is to make sure
that it is exactly (bit for bit) the same as the one Microsoft provides. We can know that two
files are identical by matching their hashes. The hash of a file is the result of its calculation.
Each file has a unique hash, if the file is modified (even only by 1 bit) then its hash will be
completely different.

Like many software editors, Microsoft provides hashes for all their softwares, which allow to
authenticate them as genuine. The hashes we're looking for are available either
here: blogs.technet.com/... or directly here: msdn.microsoft.com/... (look for "Windows 7 Ultimate
(x86) - DVD (English)" and "Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) - DVD (English)):
• Microsoft Windows 7 32 Bits
 MD5: D0B8B407E8A3D4B75EE9C10147266B89
 SHA-1: 5395DC4B38F7BDB1E005FF414DEEDFDB16DBF610

• Microsoft Windows 7 64 Bits

 MD5: F43D22E4FB07BF617D573ACD8785C028
 SHA-1: 326327CC2FF9F05379F5058C41BE6BC5E004BAA7

Match one of the hashes (either MD5 or SHA-1) of your version (32 or 64 bits)
using HashCheck ( direct download —instructions) or any other hash calculator, and make
sure that the ISO file you've downloaded is exactly the same as the one provided by
Microsoft.

Part 3 of 4: Install Windows 7

You have 2 options to install Windows 7. You can simply burn the ISO to a DVD (Scroogle: How
to burn an ISO to a DVD), or you can install Windows 7 from a USB flash drive instead of a DVD.

Insert the Windows 7 installation disk into your drive and restart your computer. Press any
key when asked to launch the installation (Scroogle: How to boot from a DVD). You might need to
change the boot priority in your BIOS in order to boot from your DVD drive or from your USB
flash drive (Scroogle: Change boot priority order).

During the installation, you do not need to enter any product key, just bypass the step when it
asks for one. You might also untick the "activate online" checkbox.

Part 4 of 4: Activate Windows 7

The safest method to activate Windows 7 is using a software called a "loader". It is safe
because whatever happen this is only software so even if it doesn't work you will be able to
uninstall it and continue to use your computer.

It is also the most reliable software method available today. This method has been working
for Windows Vista for more than 3 years (and counting) and has proven its reliability and
efficiency. This is a mature technology to activate Windows, it works with Windows 7 32 and
64 bits on any computer (homemade or branded) and even on Macintosh. Nothing special is
required before using a loader.

You're invited to download and install the Windows 7 Loader created by Daz, which is
currently the most popular loader. However if you want to try another one, there are other
loaders (including open-source ones), just take a look at section 6-K.

Note: In case something goes wrong when restarting your computer, restart again while
pressing Escape or the "R" key until you see the loader's menu, then select "Windows without
loader" and press ENTER. Check out section 6-H for more troubleshooting.

Once done, you might want to check the activation status: In the Start menu, make a right-
click on Computer then selectProperties. Scroll down and check the activation status at the
bottom. If you want to display more details about the activation status take a look at section
6-E.

__________________________________________________

5. Frequently Asked Questions

A. Which is the final version of Windows 7? I want the latest version!

During its development, Windows 7 was available to the public as a Beta, and later as a RC
(Release Candidate). The development of Windows 7 ended on July 13, 2009. Since this date,
the final Windows 7 was available through many distribution channels: First through Piracy
since July 13, then through MSDN/Technet since August 06, and finally through Retail
distribution since October 22.

There is only one final version of Windows 7, it was compiled on July 13, and was never
modified since this date. The ISOs that first leaked on July 13 through Piracy are the same
that was available later through MSDN, and are also the same as the ones available through
resellers since October 22.

This final version is called RTM (Release to Manufacturing). Microsoft's policy is to not touch
this version until a Service Packis released, which usually comes one year after the RTM was
released.

B. Did or will Microsoft blacklist the keys we use for activation?

No. Microsoft technically cannot block OEM SLP keys, first because it's an offline activation,
and second because those keys are used by tens of thousands of legitimate users.

OEM SLP keys are used by OEM manufacturers to mass-activate any computer they sell with
Windows pre-installed. Technically for the activation to work using an OEM SLP key, Windows
checks if the computer is OEM manufactured. This is done by checking if there is appropriate
SLIC table in memory when Windows starts, and that the certificate (a simple file) installed on
Windows is matching the SLIC. Putting this SLIC table in memory before Windows starts is
what loaders are all about.

C. Can I turn ON automatic Windows Updates?

Yes. The method to activate Windows described in this guide (i.e. using a software called a
"loader") imply that your Windows is acting exactly as it would act if it would be a legal copy.
You can safely use Windows Update, download software from Microsoft.com and run any
genuine check confidently.

D. Which edition of Windows 7 can I activate?

All of them, except the N editions, for which we don't have OEM SLP keys.

E. Can I upgrade from Windows 7 Beta or RC to the final Windows 7 RTM?

No. You can however bypass this restriction by editing the build number (put 6000) in the file
"sources/cversion.ini" which is in the ISO of Windows 7, before burning it. — This is strongly
not recommended, make a fresh install instead.

F. How to switch my Windows to another language?

Windows 7 Ultimate includes a simple option to choose the display language. It will change
the language of your Windows as easy as a click, without even the need to restart your
computer! All 35 languages are available.
1. Once you have downloaded and installed Windows 7 Ultimate, go to Windows
Update (type "wup" in Start menu).
2. Check for updates and show the optional updates.
3. Download and install any language that you would like.
4. Once the language pack you want is installed, type "change display language" in
Start menu and press ENTER.
5. Select your language and click OK!
This was only for your User Account. If you also want to apply your language to the Welcome
Screen, and make it the default language for other accounts, continue with the steps below:
1. Type "change display language" in Start menu and press ENTER.
2. Select the "Administrative" tab, and click the "Copy settings..." button.
3. Select and tick the 2 checkboxes and click OK!

G. How to unlock the other editions of Windows?

All the editions of Windows are included in the ISO image available to download in this guide.
To be able to select the edition you want during the installation, you just need to delete the
file "ei.cfg" that is in the "sources" folder. Use this Removal Utility ( direct download) to
remove the file from the ISO you downloaded, it takes only 2 seconds!

Note that if you install another edition than Ultimate, you won't be able to enjoy multi-
language and to change the display language of Windows with one of the 35
languages available. Only the Ultimate edition has this feature.

If you wonder which edition of Windows to install, be aware that according to Microsoft, all the
editions of Windows have the same level of performance (system requirements are the same
for all editions). Differences between editions are mainly about functionalities (compare
editions of Windows). The Ultimate edition is the edition that includes functionalities from all
the other editions, this is the most complete and the most flexible.

H. Should I install the 32 bits or the 64 bits version?

If you have 3 GB of RAM or more, install the 64 bits version. If you have 2 GB of RAM or less,
install the 32 bits version. If you have between 2 GB and 3 GB of RAM, both versions are OK,
and it's up to you to decide. — Before making any decision, make sure that your processor
supports 64 bits instructions. Find your processor on Intel's website or AMD's website and
check if it supports either "EM64T" or "AMD64".

J. Where can I find all the official HASHES on Microsoft's website?

Take a look at the TechNet section of Microsoft.com. Select "Operating Systems" on the left
panel, then click "Windows 7". The HASHES are on the right side.

K. What is the difference between Retail and OEM version of Windows 7?

There is none. The builds are exactly the same. Only the "Channel" heading in the file
"sources/ei.cfg" specifies either "Retail" or "OEM". But this is not definitive since if you use an
OEM product key it will switch to OEM, and if you use a Retail product key it will switch to
Retail. So at the end it doesn't matter which one you install.

__________________________________________________
6. Advanced stuff
A. How activators work?
Activators, also known as loaders, add a script on the boot partition (Linux Grub boot loader
(GRLDR)) which will put OEM information (SLIC 2.1) into memory before Windows starts. This
way Windows thinks that the SLIC 2.1 come from the BIOS (which is false). Activators also
install a certificate and an OEM SLP key to activate Windows.

B. What about the other method: modifying the BIOS?

To get activated with an OEM certificate and an appropriate OEM SLP key, Windows 7 checks
if the computer is OEM branded. To do so, it checks if there is OEM information (SLIC 2.1)
coming from the BIOS. Modifying the BIOS imply that we add OEM information (SLIC 2.1) to
the BIOS for real.

C. Dual-boot: Windows Vista and Windows 7

If after activating Windows 7, your Windows Vista got deactivated then you might reactivate it
in a second:
Reactivate Windows Vista
1. First thing first: get your Windows 7 activated.
2. Go back to Vista, if it is deactivated, then continue the steps below.

1. Windows 7 activated with Daz's activator:

 Apply Daz's activator on Vista.

2. Windows 7 activated with Hazar's activator:

 Apply Hazar's activator on Vista.

2. Windows 7 activated with nononsence's activator:

 Launch OpaTool on Vista, type "B" and press ENTER,
then type "DELL" and press ENTER again.

2. Windows 7 activated with a modded BIOS:

 Launch OpaTool on Vista, type "B" and press ENTER,
then type the brand name of your SLIC and press ENTER again.
Note that you can also do this process manually if you wish, to do so follow the tiny tutorial in
section 6-F-a.

D. Extend the initial 30 days trial period up to 120 days

You can renew the initial 30 days period 3 times for a total of 120 days. Here's a tutorial to
renew the activation grace period to 120 days.

E. How to check the activation status?

You can use OpaTool or do it manually:
Manually check the activation status of your Windows
1. Type cmd in Start menu.
2. Right-click on the first result (cmd.exe) and click on Run as
administrator (confirm by clicking Yes if required).
3. Type
Code:
slmgr -dli

Code:
slmgr -xpr
 Code:
slmgr -dlv

Press ENTER after each command.

F-a. Install a certificate

You can use OpaTool or do it manually:
Manually install a certificate
1. First, be sure to have SLIC 2.1 in your BIOS (you can use the SLIC DUMP
ToolKit to check its presence).
2. Download certificates — Link is broken? Try Mirror 1, Mirror 2.
3. Put in C:\ the certificate that belong to your SLIC's brand.
4. Type cmd in Start menu.
5. Right-click on the first result (cmd.exe) and click on Run as
administrator (confirm by clicking Yes if required).
6. Type (Important: Replace "NAME" with the name of your certificate)
Code:
slmgr -ilc C:\NAME.xrm-ms

7. Press ENTER and wait until a message confirms that the certificate
has been correctly installed.
Note: Change C by the letter of your Windows 7's partition.

F-b. Install a key

You can use OpaTool or do it manually:
Manually install a key
1. Type cmd in Start menu.
2. Right-click on the first result (cmd.exe) and click on Run as
administrator (confirm by clicking Yes if required).
3. Type (Important: Replace the XXXXX with a valid OEM SLP product key
— Pick one here)
Code:
slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

4. Press ENTER and wait until a message confirms that the key has
been correctly installed.

G. How to deactivate Windows and go back to the trial period?

Follow this brief tutorial:
Deactivate Windows and go back to the trial period
1. Type cmd in Start menu.
2. Right-click on the first result (cmd.exe) and click on Run as
administrator (confirm by clicking Yes if required).
3. Type
Code:
slmgr -rilc

Code:
slmgr -cpky

Code:
 slmgr -upk

Press ENTER after each command.

4. Type (Important: Replace the XXXXX with the trial key that belong to
your edition of Windows — Here is a list of the default keys)
Code:
slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

H. Repair startup issues

If you have used an activator and for some reason it broke your system boot partition, you
might be stuck at BIOS and Windows won't start anymore. No worry, it can be fixed easily:
• If you used an activator from Daz, Hazar or nononsence:
1. Hold the "R" key on your keyboard during startup, if nothing appear try
again with the "C" key.
2. When you see the loader menu, select "Windows without loader".
3. Once on Windows, uninstall the loader and try another one.
• Otherwise follow these steps:
Repair startup issues
1. Put the Windows 7 installation disc in the disc drive, and then start your
computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method,
and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type (these commands are safe - more information)
Code:
Bootrec.exe /FixMbr

Code:
Bootrec.exe /FixBoot

Code:
Bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd

Press ENTER after each command.

8. Restart your computer.

That should do the trick! However if you still can't start Windows, then follow step 1 to 6
again and type this command (more information about this command):
Code:
Bootsect.exe /nt60 all /force

Press ENTER and restart your computer.

I. My Windows shows an expiration date and/or says that key is invalid

If you get this on the final RTM of Windows 7, this is because you have used Toolkit 1.8 from
Orbit or because you have installed a modified version of Windows 7 (e.g. Wzor modified
version). It replaced some system files with files from the RC, which was designed to expire
on March/June 2010. This can be fixed by making Windows reinitialize those files. To do so
you can use the "Repair activation" feature from Hazar's activator, or do it manually if you
wish:
Restore original tokens
1. Type cmd in Start menu.
2. Right-click on the first result (cmd.exe) and click on Run as
administrator (confirm by clicking Yes if required).
3. Type
Code:
slmgr -rilc

Code:
net stop sppsvc

Code:
cd %windir
%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionP
latform

Code:
rename tokens.dat tokens.bar

Code:
cd %windir%\system32

Code:
net start sppsvc

Press ENTER after each command.

4. Restart your computer 2 times.

J. Tips for a safe and reliable system

Tips for a safe and reliable system
• When downloading a software from the Internet, always check its
authenticity by matching its HASH with the one provided by its official editor
(e.g. Microsoft).
• Only download updates for Windows through Windows Update or from
Microsoft.com. Do not install leaked updates, since there are no HASHES
available from Microsoft's website, nor any certitude that these updates will be
ever released officially, nor any guarantee that it's not malicious software.
• Do not run .exe files found on P2P networks, forums, blogs, or unknown
websites. Always perform a virus check when you don't trust the download
source.
• Do not install anything that modify system files, including (but not limited
to) Chew-WGA, RemoveWAT from Hazar, Toolkit 1.8 from Orbit30, and other
similar tools that imply changing the way the operating system works by
disabling or modifying main features (such as activation modules) or crucial
characteristics (such as edition integrity) also known as "Frankenbuild
monster".

K. Other loaders available

Here a short list of the main loaders available. They all have more or less the same features,
and work similarly.
 • Windows 7 Loader By Daz — Proprietary ✕
• Open Source 7 Activator By Hazar — Open Source ✔
• [DEPRECATED] Open Source Windows 7 Activator By nononsence — Open Source ✔

Activators created from the Open Source project initially started by nononsence:
 Vista7 Slic Loader By omdhar — Proprietary ✕
 Open 7 Activator revised by HotCarl — Proprietary ✕

L. Activate Windows 7 by modifying your BIOS

If the loaders don't work for your computer, and you understand the risk this method imply,
then you might try modding your BIOS.

WARNING: This method involves flashing your BIOS. If the flash fails or the modified BIOS is
corrupted, your computer will stop working.
a. Modify your BIOS:
a. Type dxdiag in Start menu, press ENTER and look for your BIOS type.
b. Go to the thread that belong to your type of BIOS in the Bios Mods > Bios Mod
Requests sub-forum.
c. If you're lucky, there is already a modified BIOS for your specific computer
available to download (use the search function with your computer model or
motherboard reference). If not, you can request that a volunteer makes one for
you!
d. Once you've got a modified version of your BIOS, update (flash) your
motherboard with it.

b. Activate Windows 7:
a. Install a certificate that matches the SLIC's brand of your new BIOS.
b. Install an OEM SLP key that matches your edition of Windows.

For these last two steps you can use OpaTool, or do it manually (see section 6-F).

Note: The certificate must match your SLIC's brand, while the key doesn't. However
the key has to match your edition of Windows.

M. Do I really need to use a loader or to mod my BIOS?

If your computer is new, it might be possible that you don't even need to use a loader nor to
mod your BIOS. To check that out, follow these steps:
1. Download the SLIC DUMP ToolKit and run it as administrator (Right-click > Run as
administrator).
2. Select the tab "Advance".
3. In the "SLIC Diagnosis" section, check if the version is "2.1", and check that there
is no red color in the fields "PubKey", "Marker" and "Digital Signature".
4. If the version is not "2.1" (e.g. "2.0"), or if there is text in red color, then you need to
use a loader (or to mod your BIOS).
5. Otherwise, if you do have SLIC 2.1, then you just need to install a certificate that
matches your SLIC, and a valid OEM SLP key. Check out the instructions in section 6-F
to install a certificate and a key.

7. Updating & Spreading the word!

A. Updating often is the secret for reliable information
Please help me keeping this post up-to-date by posting any new information that you've got.
Also, please let me know if you've seen any mistake or any dead link so I can correct it as
soon as possible — contact me.

B. Spread the word!

You can help a lot of people by simply adding a link to this thread in your signature.

Thank you!

---------------------------------------------------------------
This guide is in the Public Domain. Feel free to copy, modify and share this guide as much as you want.
Last edited by Opa; 23 Jan 2011 at 02:23 AM.