We often see people coming to the channel and asking where they can download a copy of Windows. Whether for repair, reinstallation, or some other purpose, it's a common and completely understandable request. However, we will not link you to any download source unless we're sure Microsoft has clearly endorsed that source. To understand why, see the longer discussion on our no-piracy page.
If you've lost or failed to create your own reinstall media, we empathize, but we're not accepting blame. Complaining about it in channel is a waste of everyone's time.
Official, downloadable Windows install tools:
Some less direct alternatives:
Alternative approaches, not for everyone.
Tools to create ISOs
Whatever you do, please don't use the channel to present or argue about non-Microsoft sources. If you believe you know of a Microsoft approved source we have not documented here, please privately message any channel operator.
Please be clear on our intent here. We obviously cannot stop you getting media from unapproved sources - we think it's risky and unethical, but that's your business, not ours. We're simply saying that in our IRC channel, we disallow talk of software sources without confidence that those sources are legal and proper.
Frankly we think this is harder than it needs to be, and we wish Microsoft and OEMs had a clear and easy system for replacement media in all situations. But we do not want to help people create potential problems for themselves, so we are stuck with this - for now.
Thanks to Thrae for inspiring this page.
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