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Can I legally download XP somewhere?

M

manlymatt83

Lifer
I have a key, which is unused, on the bottom of my laptop, but no CD. I assume the key is all I need to stay legal - does Microsoft offer the download for free?
 
Originally posted by: slayer202
are you retarded?
Click to expand...

No. I have been using Ubuntu for about 4 years since I've owned this laptop. But now, it isn't going to be mine anymore, so I'd like to put the original operating system on it.
 
Technet has a download area, but I'm not sure if new (unpaid) subscribers will have access to it. My subscription has expired and I'm still able to download, I just can't generate any new keys.
 
Originally posted by: theflyingpig
Technet has a download area, but I'm not sure if new (unpaid) subscribers will have access to it. My subscription has expired and I'm still able to download, I just can't generate any new keys.
Click to expand...

Link?
 
No, I don't think ISO downloads are publicly available. I was able to download it through my school's MSDN AA site, though, so if you have something like that available maybe check there. Otherwise just try torrent sites I guess, but be careful, there are probably a lot of bad ISOs floating around. You also have to be careful to make sure you get the right version. For example you have a retail key, so a VLK ISO won't work, even if it's the same build and everything.

Of course you could contact the OEM as well, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to send you recovery discs at no cost. But then you'd be getting their crapware infested version of XP, not the clean install.
 
OP, the point in issuing CD's is so that you have a legal copy of XP to install. That cd's ISO is not available online because of the idea that people could download it and try to break it to bypass verification. Therefore, No, unless you decide to pirate the OS, it is not available online (unless you have MSDN AA, Technet Plus, MSDN business)
 
Request this be moved over to the OS forums. You are more likely to get more helpful less "are you retarded" responses there than in OT. Also it would be helpful if you include in your post what key is on the laptop, Home or Pro.
 
Just download the matching version on the key label (Home or Professional, SP1/SP2) from an arrrrr site. You have a legitimate license key, as long as the OS version is the same the key will work.
 
Any possibiity that the recovery sector is still intact on the laptop?

Since many manufacturers don't ship recovery disks with laptops anymore, most have it built into the HDD.
(duh)

Unless the OP wiped that part out when he installed his "alternate OS," it may still be there.
 
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