If you source a Dell OEM Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD it'll automatically activate. However its a waste of time and money the ABR methods been well tested, I used to recommend it when the Digital River .iso download links were available.
P.S. Windows 10 is out at the end of next month so it may be worthwhile waiting for it and then clean installing when its released.
Am I right in thinking that I can just do a clean install of Windows 7 and the BIOS of the E7440 will automatically activate it for me?
If you use a Dell Branded Dell Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD it will apply Dell OEM SLP. Dell OEM SLP will not be applied with a generic Microsoft Windows 7 Installation DVD.
So this means that I cannot use the Digital River download? Will any Dell Windows 7 Professional 64bit OEM disk work, or are there ones specifically for laptops seeking to downgrade from 8.1 Pro?
(That link is for US and Canada based customers). And only for Registered Users AND your warranty must be current.
If you purchased from a 3rd party aka Best Buy, Costco, etc you must first register your system and wait 15 business days for it to get into the database.
OEM versions of Windows 8 that are eligible for downgrade
Windows 8 Pro includes downgrade rights to:
Windows 7 Professional
Windows Vista Business
Dell is not required to Provide Pre Activated OEM Media for this purpose. Other OEM Windows versions (for instance, Windows Home Basic and Windows Home Premium) do not include downgrade rights.
Downgrade rights process
To downgrade Microsoft Windows or Windows Server software, customers must:
Purchase a PC preinstalled with Windows or Windows Server software.
Accept the End User Software License Terms.
Perform the downgrade or authorize a third party to perform it on their behalf.
The downgrade process
Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows or Windows Server software:
Obtain genuine Windows media and a corresponding product key (The Microsoft site DOES NOT Provide this to any user from DELL or anywhere else just because they bought a windows 8 PC) The version of Windows that is eligible for downgrade is the PRO version. Anything OTHER THAN WIN8 PRO is NOT eligible for downgrade.
The media should come from a prior legally licensed version from the OEM or Retail channels. (This is NOT Digital River download)
End users who are licensed separately through Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) may provide their VL media and key to a system builder to facilitate the downgrade on their own systems.
Insert the downgrade-eligible version of Windows media in the CD drive and follow the installation instructions.
Type the product key. (DELL OEM discs do not ask for a key)
If the software was previously activated, you will not be able to activate it online. In this case, the appropriate local Activation Support phone number will be displayed. Call the number and explain the circumstances. When it is determined that the end user has an eligible Windows license, the customer service representative will provide a single-use activation code to activate the software. Please note that Microsoft does not provide a full product key in this scenario.
Activate the software. (With a Dell Windows 8 Home Machine and a Digital River download this is NOT possible)
Thanks for your reply. The version I was hoping to install is an ISO downloaded from Digital River downloaded a while ago: Windows 7 Professional 64bit (X17-59186). Will this be okay?
The ABR method looks very interesting, cheers for that!
One final question: if I do manage to source a Dell OEM disk and create a bootable USB, will this install and automatically activate without any problems?
Hi, Thanks for your reply. The version I was hoping to install is an ISO downloaded from Digital River downloaded a while ago: Windows 7 Professional 64bit (X17-59186). Will this be okay? Cheers.
The Digital River .iso is the same as generic Microsoft Windows Installation Media. It will not apply Dell OEM SLP. Unofficially it can be used for downgrade rights if the product key is skipped during installation and the ABR program is used with the Dell cert files. See here:
The ABR program when used with the Dell Cert files applies Dell OEM SLP.
Before using the .iso ensure you check the file size of the .iso. Before Microsoft removed the .isos there were often some troubles downloading them and one would often get an incomplete .iso:
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
1
June 12th, 2015 02:00
If you source a Dell OEM Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD it'll automatically activate. However its a waste of time and money the ABR methods been well tested, I used to recommend it when the Digital River .iso download links were available.
P.S. Windows 10 is out at the end of next month so it may be worthwhile waiting for it and then clean installing when its released.
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
1
June 11th, 2015 09:00
If you use a Dell Branded Dell Windows 7 Professional Reinstallation DVD it will apply Dell OEM SLP. Dell OEM SLP will not be applied with a generic Microsoft Windows 7 Installation DVD.
Merry Prankster
8 Posts
0
June 11th, 2015 09:00
Cheers for the replies everyone.
So this means that I cannot use the Digital River download? Will any Dell Windows 7 Professional 64bit OEM disk work, or are there ones specifically for laptops seeking to downgrade from 8.1 Pro?
Cheers.
Dell-Gokul G
780 Posts
1
June 11th, 2015 09:00
Hi,
Thank you for reaching us.
Yes you're right, the OEM copies picks up the product key and proceeds with the installation.
We do not need the COA label or a product key unless it is a retail copy that you're trying to install.
Thank you
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
2
June 11th, 2015 09:00
OEM SLP Keys in bios work with DELL OEM copies of windows 7.
Digital River is NOT Dell OEM. There are no legit sites where you can download a DELL OEM ISO.
Use this link to order a one-time free copy of the installation media for Windows from Dell.
(That link is for US and Canada based customers). And only for Registered Users AND your warranty must be current.
If you purchased from a 3rd party aka Best Buy, Costco, etc you must first register your system and wait 15 business days for it to get into the database.
http://www.dell.com/register
Those discs do not ask for a key during install and are activated automatically.
HOWEVER only PRO versions of windows have downgrade rights.
Home versions DO NOT.
Windows 8: magenta to green
Windows 8 Pro: blue to purple
Windows RT: turquoise to purple
OEM versions of Windows 8 that are eligible for downgrade
Windows 8 Pro includes downgrade rights to:
Downgrade rights process
To downgrade Microsoft Windows or Windows Server software, customers must:
The downgrade process
Follow these steps to downgrade to a previous version of Windows or Windows Server software:
Merry Prankster
8 Posts
0
June 11th, 2015 09:00
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The version I was hoping to install is an ISO downloaded from Digital River downloaded a while ago: Windows 7 Professional 64bit (X17-59186). Will this be okay?
Cheers.
Merry Prankster
8 Posts
0
June 11th, 2015 10:00
The ABR method looks very interesting, cheers for that!
One final question: if I do manage to source a Dell OEM disk and create a bootable USB, will this install and automatically activate without any problems?
Cheers for all your help!
Merry Prankster
8 Posts
0
June 11th, 2015 10:00
[EDIT] Duplicate post!
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
1
June 11th, 2015 10:00
The Digital River .iso is the same as generic Microsoft Windows Installation Media. It will not apply Dell OEM SLP. Unofficially it can be used for downgrade rights if the product key is skipped during installation and the ABR program is used with the Dell cert files. See here:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/a-clean-install-of-windows-7/the-oem-or-retail-license-and-product-activation-windows-vista-7/the-activation-backup-and-recovery-program-windows-vista-7-version/
The ABR program when used with the Dell Cert files applies Dell OEM SLP.
Before using the .iso ensure you check the file size of the .iso. Before Microsoft removed the .isos there were often some troubles downloading them and one would often get an incomplete .iso:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp1-iso-download/#Checks
Merry Prankster
8 Posts
0
June 12th, 2015 05:00
I've just checked out your ABR guide - I'll definitely be doing this with my Digital River ISO. I can't believe it's so easy!
Cheers for all of your help.