Can i just buy a license for Win7?

[EJSLP]

I built a back up tower and wanted to ask if i can install my Win7 home premium sp1 64 bit OS on it then buy a key to activate it?
Or do i have to buy another copy of the OS?
The microsoft site keeps directing me to all Windows 8.1 links?:

 

[Raskolnikov]

Yes, you can do that. An official Microsoft distributor even hosts some free and legal backup .iso files on its servers:

Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso
Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso

Windows 7 Professional 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso
Windows 7 Professional 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso

Windows 7 Ultimate 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso

What you can't (theoretically) not do is use your Windows 7 license on another computer.
It wasn't until the Windows 8 term & conditions that such a thing was permitted, as long that the former copy was uninstalled.

 

[ArisVer]

What you can't (theoretically) not do is use your Windows 7 license on another computer.

If you have a retail license you can move it between computers.

 

[compuwiz1]

Yes, that digitalriver download site. You can download a free copy of WIN7, but you can only activate it with a valid license. It's an ISO, which you can burn or use a readily available ISO extractor to install from a folder. If you have bought a license already you are good to go.

 

[Charlie98]

then buy a key to activate it?

Or do i have to buy another copy of the OS?

The microsoft site keeps directing me to all Windows 8.1 links?

Buying a key is the same thing as buying another copy of the OS... you get a disc with it, but you don't have to reinstall or anything, just validate your cloned OS to your new key.

Microsoft is past Windows 7, so they are not going to recommend it... they want you to buy their new product... Windows 8.1. In fact, I believe they stopped shipping W7 altogether... what's in the pipeline is it.