Windows download (looking for a legal source)

geuben · 29 Jan 2010 at 19:46

My desktops boot drive is failing so was planning to reinstall windows (xp home) on an alternative drive, however this is where I ran into problems. I don't have my xp disk! it's at my parents house (with a lot of my things).

I thought about downloading a torrent version as I have the licence key stuck to my case but I don't have any CD-Rs only DVD-R

I was also planning on upgrading to windows 7 soon, so now seems like as good a time as any.

The problem comes in that I'm inpatient and don't want to wait for delivery, so does anyone know where I can legally download windows, either xp home (so I can use my current key) or pay for a copy of 7 (home premium probably)?

Thanks

Pho · 29 Jan 2010 at 19:51

Do none of your friends have a copy?

geuben · 29 Jan 2010 at 19:52

Pho said:
Do none of your friends have a copy?

Nope, none that are near by.

icedbullet · 29 Jan 2010 at 20:00

I downloaded mine from Microsoft Digital River, though I had to use my student email address to do so.

geuben · 29 Jan 2010 at 20:07

It appears I could purchase and download 7 from http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsoft/Windows/Windows-7 but its £50 more than OcUK for the full version

icedbullet · 29 Jan 2010 at 20:10

Sounds like you would be better off waiting for delivery. Plus I've just had an issue where I couldn't access the serial key for my downloaded version, so maybe buying the boxed retail version is a safer option?

If you really can't wait I'd pay for next day delivery

BlueMhz · 29 Jan 2010 at 20:14

geuben said:
I thought about downloading a torrent version as I have the licence key stuck to my case but I don't have any CD-Rs only DVD-R

You can burn CD ISO's to CD-R or DVD-R

masterluke · 29 Jan 2010 at 20:22

careful which version you get as all product keys dont work on all versions of xp

EDIT - see http://www.technibble.com/how-to-tell-what-type-of-windows-xp-cd-or-license-key-you-have/