Windows 7 may exist getting a little long in the tooth at present, but it's still an first-class operating system with legions of fans, many of whom aren't ready for Windows 10 or even Windows eight but yet. Read our Windows 10 review.

As with all software programs, there are ways to get concur of the installation files free, such equally through illegal file-sharing sites like The Pirate Bay. We won't advocate going down that path, however.

Neither should you lot exist fooled by the suspicious sites that merits to offer a free download for Windows seven - fifty-fifty if yous can get the software for gratis, yous will still need an activation lawmaking to use it.

Regardless of what you may take heard, Windows 7 isn't similar Windows x, which is available as a free upgrade until summer 2016. If yous're still unsure about the merits of Windows 10, then information technology'due south worth checking out our Windows 7 Vs Windows 10 comparison review to run across whether at present might be the time to make the modify.

The only legal manner to get a completely free copy of Windows 7 is past transferring a licence from some other Windows 7 PC for which y'all didn't pay a penny - perhaps one that'south been passed on to you from a friend or relative or i yous've picked up from Freecycle, for example. We'll particular this selection further below.

Another option nosotros'll look at beneath is how you tin perform a costless downgrade from Windows 8 Pro or Windows ten Pro to Windows 7 Pro.

If you can't get an old Windows seven PC for free, yous can certainly get a copy of the software on the cheap. Windows OEM discs are fine for personal use, and you lot'll pick them up online for much less than Microsoft charges for the total boxed edition. For example, on eBay y'all'll choice one upwards beneath £25 (these are often bundled with a complimentary broken laptop or PC, nigh likely because there is a lot of confusion surrounding Microsoft's OEM licence terms).

Why Windows vii isn't free

Certain, the Os is quondam in engineering terms, but that doesn't mean that it's worthless. Windows has always been a paid product and Windows 7 is no exception, even now when Microsoft no longer sells the software. Up until recently it was possible to download the ISO (an installable digital copy) of Windows 7 from Microsoft for complimentary, but you still needed the Product Key to activate the system. Now this feature has been removed, and the site requires the Product Central earlier yous can even begin the download. Trial versions also offered 30 days at no cost, merely fifty-fifty these seem to have fallen by the wayside every bit the platform ages.

Get Windows 7 for free

How to get Windows seven for free: Sites to avoid

Looking around the web you'll find various places that offering the ISO for free, and some fifty-fifty include Product Keys. As you might accept guessed these are most likely non official, legal versions of the software. Admittedly in that location are people who might not be bothered by the thought of downloading hacked copies of the Bone, simply just remember that these versions could easily incorporate clever malware that watches all of your activities and gathers your precious security details for a remote thief. It'southward actually not worth the risk.

How to get Windows 7 for free: Transferring a licence

One way of technically getting Windows 7 for free on a new PC is to transfer the licence from a previous machine. If yous bought a retail copy of Windows 7 in the past, non the OEM versions that come preinstalled on a PC, and so you are immune to install the software on a new motorcar then long every bit you remove information technology from the former i. If yous purchased an Upgrade version then you'll demand the production cardinal from your version of Windows XP or Vista as well.

In one case you've installed Windows 7 on your new PC yous need to follow these steps to transfer the licence.

Click Start and so right-click on Estimator. Select Backdrop then gyre down and click on Actuate Windows Now. This launches a wizard and on the card you'll see an option to Use the automated telephone system to actuate. Select this, then choose your country from the drop down listing, click Adjacent, and y'all'll be given a phone number that y'all tin ring to confirm your details with Microsoft and actuate Windows vii on the new PC.

How to get Windows 7 for gratis: Downgrade Windows viii Pro, downgrade Windows 10 Pro

If you've purchased a new PC with a Pro version of Windows installed, often referred to equally concern versions, then there is a good risk you can downgrade to Windows vii Pro for free. You lot will need a deejay or ISO for Windows 7 Pro, which as nosotros've detailed higher up might be tricky to easily find, but once y'all've obtained a copy (and you tin always employ a colleague'southward disc if they have i) then follow the same instructions laid out above for activating Windows via the automatic phone system, and inform Microsoft that you are exercising your downgrade rights. Of course yous'll want to perform a full fill-in of data before installing the Os, and we'd also recommend contacting Microsoft first to bank check that your version of Windows is eligible.

Get Windows 7 for free

How to get Windows 10 for free

If you accept a PC running Windows seven, viii or 8.1 then the easiest way to grab a complimentary re-create of Windows is to simply visit the Microsoft site and upgrade to Windows ten. Where 8 and 8.1 caused many a user confusion and frustration with their touch axial design, Windows 10 is a truly modernistic version of the platform that feels like the spiritual successor to the evergreen Windows vii. Microsoft announced that the new platform would be free to those who downloaded the OS during the starting time year of its availability, and every bit the release date was 29th July 2015 this ways it should run until 29th July 2016, so there's still enough of time to take advantage of this fantabulous offering. Windows 7 might non exist complimentary, just to be honest we retrieve its big brother is a ameliorate system. And so if Windows 8 isn't all you lot hoped it would exist, there is a very attractive alternative out in that location and it won't cost y'all a penny.