Windows 7 Professional download link

Download the appropriate Windows 7 .ISO file (must match what your product key version is for)

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

After downloading the .iso file use ImgBurn or Gear ISO to create a bootable DVD.

Create a Bootable Windows 7 DVD using the .ISO file
Burning a Windows 7 ISO File on a DVD
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/977640

ImgBurn - In addition to supporting the creation of Cds/DVDs from .ISO files,
it supports a wide range of other image file formats, and it's free.
(BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG, PDI and ISO)
http://www.imgburn.com/

Screen shots to help you use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=screenshots
Burning ISO Images with ImgBurn article: http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn
(The steps are the same, except you are not creating a Repair disc but a full installation DVD)

Note: Always use high quality DVD+R media and the slowest burn speed (4x or 6x) if offered a choice.

====================== Keyless Install ================================

How to perform a 'Keyless Install' of Windows:

Boot from the Windows 7 DVD disc you created and start the installation process.

After you enter user name and password you will be asked to: 'Type your Windows product key', do not enter a key.

Also located just below the box where you would enter the key is a box with a check mark to 'Automatically activate Windows when I am online', remove the check mark and click 'Next'.

You will now have a 30 day grace period in which to activate Windows.

During this 30 day grace period you can try resolving your problems. 
After you are satisfied all problems have been resovled then activate Windows.

====================== Device Drivers =================================

Go to your computer manufacture's support web site and check for Windows 7 drivers for your specific model number.

If there are Windows 7 drivers, then download to a folder on your hard drive and install all of them, starting with the Motherboard/chipset drivers, SATA, LAN, Audio, USB, Graphics, Webcam, Etc., and so on.

List of Computer Manufacturer's support sites:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/contact-support/computer-manufacturers

Tips for fixing common driver problems
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Tips-for-fixing-common-driver-problems
Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-fixing-common-driver-problems

Graphics/Video drivers:
Check the Graphics card manufacture's download site for the most recent Windows 7 drivers for your card.
ATI: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx
NVIDIA: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index5.aspx?lang=en-us

================== How to Activate Windows 7 by Internet ==============

1) Click Start and in the Seach box type:   Activate 
2) Click on the 'Activate Windows' option at the top of the list
3) Click on 'Activate Windows online now'
4) Enter your 25 character product key (not case sensitive)
5) Click 'Next' and wait for the key to be verified.

Alternate Method - Reaching a real person:
1) Click Start, and in the Search box type:   slui.exe  4
2) Next press the 'ENTER' key
3) Select your 'Country' from the list.
4) Choose the 'Phone Activation' option.
5) Stay on the phone *** do not select/press any options *** and wait for a person to help you.
6) Explain your problem clearly to the support person.
7) The support person should give you a confirmation ID, copy it down on paper,
8) Verify the ID is correct by reading back to the support person.
9) Enter the ID number and click 'Next' to finish the activation process.

Microsoft Activation Centers Worldwide Telephone Numbers:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/activation-centers.aspx
(This site is for Volume License Activation but if you call they will help you)

The phone number you called does not work:
Microsoft Wordwide contacts: http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.aspx

Activation and registration of a Microsoft product
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326851
Windows activation: (888) 571-2048

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971760

http://store.microsoft.com/Help/FAQ?err=t2#at2

http://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=coa

What is the Windows Certificate of Authenticity?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-the-Windows-Certificate-of-Authenticity

• Windows 7 Professional (x86) - X17-59183

• Windows 7 Professional (x64) - X17-59186

ImgBurn - In addtion to supporting the creation of CD's from .ISO files,
it supports a wide range of other image file formats, and it's free.
(BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG, PDI and ISO)
http://www.imgburn.com/

http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn

Note: Always use the slowest burn speed (4x or 2x) if offered a choice.

------------------------

Boot from the Windows 7 DVD
Click Install Now
Accept License Agreement
When the option is displayed to select an installation type, click (Custom Advanced)

select the disk partition where you would like to install Windows 7 Click Next.

You will receive the following warning:

The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows Installation. If it does, these files and folders will be moved to a folder named Windows.old. You will be able to access the information in Windows.old, but you will be able to use your previous version of Windows.

(At all cost, do NOT click anything named Format or Delete or Partition. So even doing a custom install, your personal files are still preserved. Click OK

Setup will now start the installation. During the installation, your machine will be restarted several times.

When the installation is complete, you can complete the Out of Box experience such as selecting your laptop, create a username, password, your time zone. You can then proceed to download the latest updates for Windows and reinstall your applications and drivers.

You can then recover your personal files from the Windows.old folder and reinstall all your applications and drivers.

http://notebooks.com/2010/11/09/how-to-recover-documents-music-and-email-after-upgrading-with-the-windows-old-folder/

I went to the download link and did not land on a Windows 7 ISO

download link. It took me to some kind of use at home for Office

for $9.00 or something like that. You have to put in your company

email address and a code and there is nothing else there.

As of February 6th, 2015 the Digital River links to the various versions of Windows 7 are no longer functioning, as an alternative (as long as you have your product key) you can use the link to Microsoft's Software Recovery web page: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

Note: This site malfunctions more often than not when entering a product key, the wrong language is just one of the issues. Note: I and others have supplied Microsoft with product key(s) that should work (correct language) but do not. They are working on this is problem but at this time I have no estimated date of completion.

Another error is: The product key you provided is for a product not currently supported by this site or may be invalid. Please try again or visit the Microsoft Support Contact Us page for assistance. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus?forceorigin=esmc

If you have a friend with a "Retail" version (Full or Upgrade media, just the media as you don't need their key) of the installation DVD (must be the same as your key was for: Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate) it will work with your "Retail" or "OEM" product key if you need to re-install or repair Windows.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_7-windows_install/create-your-own-iso-file-from-a-windows-7/a344df19-b535-4420-a58f-4898ac7416ec

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_7-windows_install/how-to-create-a-universal-windows-7-installation/15183b74-4478-4647-84dd-6d6431f1cfa4

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Start-your-computer-from-a-Windows-7-installation-disc-or-USB-flash-drive

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_7-windows_install/how-to-obtain-windows-7-replacement-media/f749fc0e-8bc7-40ba-8d8e-38572cbe6669

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Windows+7+DVD+all+versions

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com