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Resolved Question

Where can you buy Windows OS's online?

Mar 11, 2017 10:36AM PST

Hi I am refurbishing some computers, and I want to install Windows 7 on them. I have heard that you can buy OS's online, and download the ISO's to burn onto an optical disk, but google searches don't seem to yield any results. Could someone please enlighten me as to where to go for such a service?

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kl505 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Not in my country.
Mar 11, 2017 10:41AM PST

Haven't seen that here. I have to order them and wait for them to arrive.

Microsoft has a way to deliver 10 online. But you want 7. I'd just go with 10 since cost is same.

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Thanks for the advice
Mar 11, 2017 10:46AM PST

Thanks, but these are old computers (Pentium 4s with limited resources), and they are a little too slow for Windows 10.

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nm, thanks
Mar 11, 2017 10:57AM PST

I looked it up, win 7 and 10 have the same system requirements. oops, thanks dude.

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may have the same system requirements
Mar 11, 2017 11:01AM PST

but you may not be able to find system drivers for win10.

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The thing is, you can test it with W10 and then decide.
Mar 11, 2017 11:07AM PST

You have 28 or so days to get a license in either case of 7 or 10.

As to drivers, there were none for my 2006 Dell E1505 and no mention by Dell of compatibility yet everything is working.

-> Try this. Just go get a W10 USB install stick and plow ahead.
-> Consider this. If the machines are indeed Pentium 4's then forget Windows since even 7 may be a slug. Try Chrome OS and some light Linux.

Here's Chrome -> http://www.techradar.com/how-to/computing/how-to-download-and-install-chrome-os-1310287

Why Chrome OS? Get 98% of what most folk use a PC for. Web and such. Plus, free and very very light machine requirements.

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What makes you write that?
Mar 11, 2017 10:58AM PST

Let me use my 2006 Dell Inspiron e1505 that ran XP. XP is of course way out of date so I installed 10 and checked it out. Found I needed a BIOS update so I did that.

This machine had a dead HDD so for 35 bucks I snagged an 120GB SSD and installed on that.

With 1GB RAM it boots and gets on the web in about 45 seconds.

That was pretty good and found a 16 buck 2GB kit so I did that and now it boots and gets a google web result from COLD in 33 seconds.

Are you telling me I can get faster results from Windows 7?

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Answer
it will be near impossible
Mar 11, 2017 10:58AM PST

since the computers are not eligible for oem/system builders, it will be near impossible to find the full retail version of win7. microsoft took it off the market. you might be able to find it on ebay but you have to be careful there. you can also check with your local mom and pop computer stores. they may have copies lying around.

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Amazon still has W7 Pro.
Mar 11, 2017 11:09AM PST

But W10 is cheaper plus they can test out W10 and then decide.

I think on a P4 I'd just install Chrome OS or Linux and not go with Windows.

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I purchased 2
Mar 11, 2017 11:20AM PST

Windows 7 Full Retail , brand new and still in the original packaging on Ebay ,
I don't remember the price though .
That was a couple of years ago......