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Published: August 10, 2009 by RKONIT

Unlock all editions from Windows 7 ISO image (x86 and x64)

Last time, I blogged The SHA1s and CRC are all different for each Windows 7 x86 ISO and x64 ISO. Why? As I said earlier all Windows 7 ISO images are ALL in ONE images, means The ISOs have all editions of Windows 7. But the question is now that do we have to download every ISO image for each editions and burn separate 8 discs?

After doing some R&D, I have figured out the configuration of ISO’s for a particular edition, so the answer is- You just have to burn 2 discs only to have all editions. One for x86 and one for x64 editions. Just follow the simple steps.

How To:

1. Download any Windows 7 RTM ISO image from MSDN or TechNet websites. Say we have Ultimate edition.

2. Use 7-zip to extract that ISO to a particular folder and go to Source folder and look for ei.cfg file.

EI.cfg is a Windows Setup-specific configuration file used to determine what edition and license will be used during installation. This file replaces PID.txt and is located on the product media under the Sources folder in Windows Vista DVD

To get desired edition-

3. Use Notepad to edit and save this file by change desired EditionID. Valid EditionIDs are:

Edit ei.cfg file

  • Ulimate
  • Professional
  • HomePremium
  • HomeBasic
  • Starter

To get all editions-

4. Just delete the file and finally create the bootable ISO and burn your unlocked disc.

Choose your desired edition

Applies To:

  • Windows 7 family(x86 and x64)
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 family(x86 and x64)

Last Review: February 4, 2012

Comments

  1. Jakie Salosa says

    July 9, 2017 at 7:55 PM

    Nah bro, I have all Windows 7 installs on my burned CD. All versions, from Starter to Enterprise and both x32 and x64. You don’t need two separate CD’s. It’s a shame I didn’t keep the ISO I downloaded and burned years ago, need a USB Installer but I have the image on my CD only.
    If someone could help me rip the image from the disc would be wonderful. May even share the ISO. Did a lil research and found that the ripped ISO from the disc can be installed on USB but won’t work. Don’t wanna waste time on trying tho.

    Reply
    • mixmax says

      October 29, 2017 at 2:49 PM

      you can use AnyBurn. Utility can rip as iso and much more.

    • Jakie Salosa says

      October 30, 2017 at 3:41 AM

      Thanks for the comment, I’ll try it.

  2. Sam says

    December 15, 2014 at 6:52 AM

    if i’m following correctly take the .iso extract it, select the EditionID (HmPrem in my case) or delete that ei.cfg file, then burn it to a cd/dvd or usb and use that as a recovery disc….right? btw my .iso had Hm Prem listed in the ei.cfg already.

    Reply
  3. John Safc Walterz says

    March 10, 2014 at 9:09 PM

    help i have a windows aio disc and i am after striping all the is down to just single os

    Reply
  4. kkjdroid says

    July 24, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    That is an odd place for a watermark.

    Reply
  5. Dzaocom says

    April 3, 2012 at 5:49 PM

    what I have to delete? ei.cfg file? and then run setup?

    Reply
  6. miketyler says

    December 28, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    http://code.kliu.org/misc/winisoutils/
    “The ei.cfg Removal Utility is a simple tool that will remove the ei.cfg from any Windows ISO disc image, thereby converting the image into a “universal disc” that will prompt the user to select an edition during setup. This tool works by toggling the deletion bit in the UDF file table, eliminating the need for unpacking and rebuilding the ISO …”
    Extremely handy tool!

    Reply
  7. manuel says

    December 27, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    hola mi pregunta es si tengo un windows 7 oem que trae todas las versiones pero solo quiero utilizar una como la quemo en un disco

    Reply
  8. nishan says

    November 16, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Hi
    How can i put all 64 and 86 into one drive

    Reply
    • Ramesh says

      November 16, 2011 at 9:46 PM

      Create Windows 7 AIO (All In One) DVD – Merge All editions of Windows 7 in a DVD

  9. Asrar Bashir Sunge says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Hey,Is this tutorial really true.

    Reply
  10. Saidou26 says

    September 25, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    but we nned another tutorial for multilanguage plaese soon
    a million thanks

    Reply
  11. Saidou26 says

    September 25, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    tanks to the admin
    microsoft are cheating us with that ei file

    Reply
  12. FNG_Admin says

    June 23, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    I just have one question. If you install with your license key, won’t you get the version that you are supposed to have installed automatically?

    Reply
    • miketyler says

      December 28, 2011 at 8:32 PM

      Yes.

  13. matias says

    May 29, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Hi!

    It works for Vista??? what i need to do on Vista DVD???

    thanks

    Reply
  14. Igor says

    May 9, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Thx for your answer. Is there on this site a tutorial how to make a multi-language installation kit? Actually, I need En+Ru+Ro. Will it be enough to merge “sources” folders into a single one?

    Reply
  15. Igor says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    I’ve a question:
    By removing ei.cfg file, how would installation process detect what kind of license do we have: retail or oem?
    Does it mean, that the distributive will work with both, oem and retail keys?

    Reply
    • Admin says

      May 9, 2011 at 5:35 PM

      If you have unlocked Retail ISO or downloaded from MSDN/TechNet, the distributive will work with all type of liceneses. You can check your DVD contains EULAs for all kind of licenses.

  16. sha says

    May 3, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    i dont see ei file in my win 7 ultimate. How to find ?

    Reply
    • Admin says

      May 4, 2011 at 12:44 AM

      You may have OEM disc instead of Retail disc/ISO.

  17. Jason Barsby says

    April 29, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Yes, works a treat. Well done. I have been looking to make a universal Win 7 install disk for a while and this works great. I actually copied the contents of my Windows 7 home premium DVD (x86) to a folder on the dektop, then removed the file in question, then re-built an iso from the files, using IngBurn. It worked out I was making an install image and prompted me to make it bootable. I did so by extracting the bootfile from the original Win 7 DVD and made the image ok. Then finally used ImgBurn again to make a new DVD which boots fine and offers all flavours of the OS during the install. Great for re-installing Starter edition on netbooks. Thanks a million. J.

    Reply
  18. Sandy says

    March 2, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    It only changes the name of the version, but not it features
    I change it name to Home premium to Ultimate.
    But only the name changed all features remain same.

    Reply
  19. hbk says

    February 26, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    I have a windows 7 with ultimate x86 an d x64. I cant find ei.cfg in the sources folder. Please tell me how to make AIO in this case.

    Reply
    • abinash says

      August 22, 2011 at 3:25 PM

      bcoz u hav purchased it from a pirated reseller in ur local market by giving 50 bucks

      do 1 thing download it from MSDN or technet site then remove the ei.cfg file thats it it will rock

  20. whynot says

    September 26, 2010 at 12:47 AM

    I have the product key for windows 7 starter, but not the disk.  It is on a notebook.  I have a copy of windows 7 Pro [purchased disk oem].  Can I download the contents of the cd into a folder and do this to make a copy of windows 7 starter so I can reinstall the notebook

    Reply
    • rk says

      September 26, 2010 at 1:42 PM

      OEM discs contain a single edition, that they sell… in your case its Professional. So you can’t make it.

    • whynot says

      September 27, 2010 at 1:02 AM

      I can’t seem to find the download.  Could you please assist

  21. Aaron V says

    July 27, 2010 at 2:00 PM

    Neat little guide.

    So far I’ve integrated 33 versions into one DVD.

    All versions of Windows 7 (x86 & x64), including Enterprise. All ‘N’ versions, and all ‘E’ versions. Right now attempting to streamline the ‘K’ and ‘KN’ versions, so 45in1?

    Hope it works!

    Reply
  22. CrossDraw says

    June 16, 2010 at 12:17 AM

    Too bad in using the key from “product.ini” will make it so that you will either need to buy a valid ultimate license key or reinstall in 30 days… The keys in the “product.ini” file are “default” keys they are the keys that setup will use if yo fail to provide a key during the install, they are intended to allow you an install when you don’t have your legit key available but DO have one, and it then gives you 30 days to get/find it. Using windows anytime upgrade works with this key for the same reason, but just like a regular install it will need a “real” key within 30days or windows will go non-genuine/etc. you can verify this yourself by right clicking on the computer icon and choosing properties and then scrolling to the bottom of the computer/os info to where it shows your licensing status. Which will say something to the effect of you having XX days to activate(“Default” keys do not activate)

    Reply
    • Albert says

      May 6, 2011 at 5:52 PM

      I have a windows 7 ultimate that contains both the 32 bit and 64 bit system…how can i unlock the other versions from it.I’v tried locating the file ei.cfg but its not there in the source folder.what can i do?

  23. LovePhD says

    June 8, 2010 at 12:03 PM

    THIS WORKED PERFECTLY!!!
    I also found inside the “source” folder a “product” .ini file that included all the license keys for all versions on win 7.
    I purchased win 7 pro online and downloaded it (it’s a .iso image) and saved it so I could burn in to a dvd. After you do the above stated stuff(like deleting the ei.cfg file so that the new .iso I created functioned as a win 7 disc for al versions of win 7) I did the “anytime upgrade”, as I was upgrading from my Win 7 pro to Win 7 Ultimate, entered the license key that I found in the downloaded .iso and it worked perfectly! Totally license and real version. This was all tested on a LICENSED and not cracked version from Microsoft, just fyi

    Reply
  24. ray57913 says

    May 20, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    if any one cares to know you need to copy the licenses from the other editions to the disc that are both in the boot.wim and the sources folder. i hate when its s stupid little problem.

    Reply
  25. lazeroth says

    May 19, 2010 at 4:47 PM

    works perfectly fine

    Reply
  26. ray57913 says

    May 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM

    I am having the problem of “windows could not display the images available for installation” when trying to select options other then the pro version of windows 7 but it is a little deeper then that.

    I am trying to make an all in one disc for all new versions of widows, Including: windows 7 pro (32&64), Windows Vista Business (32&64), Server 2008, server 2008 r2. This way i have the Os’ i need for my home domain. i was able to import the images from the wims but when i tried a test install i can only install windows 7, I used the windows pro 32 disc as the base. when i try to install any of the others i get windows could not display the images available for installation. i tried looking for the pid.txt in the boot.wim 2 but could not find it.
    any ideas?

    Reply
  27. Comley16 says

    April 29, 2010 at 7:55 AM

    I like this site and saw it on Google search. I think your thoughts on Unlock all editions from Windows 7 ISO image (x86 and x64) are right on. Thanks for writing about this and looking forward to reading more on your site.

    Reply
  28. Topps46 says

    April 16, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    I was’nt sure I would like this site since it was about Unlock all editions from Windows 7 ISO image (x86 and x64) but I was wrong and thought it was cool and found it on Ask . Thanks and I’ll be back as you update.

    Reply
  29. Alonso says

    February 6, 2010 at 7:11 PM

    I need key to continue with Windows 7 installation.
    Please.

    Thanks

    Reply
  30. Wiki66 says

    February 5, 2010 at 7:18 AM

    Hello, i used the DVD i downloaded from the torrent and it WORKED, as is described i just select the professional version in 64 bits and is installed on my PC, i did the trick doing a custom installation and not using my KEY then i run it again and select upgrade to finally use my KEY and is been activated by Microsoft. I just need to download the same Ultimate version in 32bits and have it physically in case i want to go back for 32bits instead of 64bits.

    I do not remeber where i read that my key works for both systems but also that i can be used on 2 different PC one with 32bits and one with 64bits and according to those is legal. Any comments?

    Thanks

    Reply
  31. Wiki66 says

    February 4, 2010 at 9:13 AM

    Question, i had the Professional 64 but unfortunately i downloaded in spanish, i know my KEY will work on any language, but i can not find a Professional 64 in English on the internet to download it. I had the Home Premium 32 UPGRADE from an HP Notebook version on a CD and i can do this trick but that will work to convert it to Professional 32? Also i downloaded a MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.7.ULTIMATE.7600.16385.RTM.X64.RETAIL.ENGLISH.DVD-WZT from a Torrent, i verified the ISO and looks working but when i tried to find the ei.cfg file i can not find it. What can i do? I had both RC in 32 and 64 i downloaded fro Microsoft when they were available, can i do the trick on those and use my KEY ?

    Thanks and sorry for so many questions

    Reply
  32. Andira says

    January 7, 2010 at 9:40 PM

    hmm… thanks for your quick reply…
    i think i have professional VL ISO… and it’s not work as standard professional ISO because it only have professional.clg…

    so yesterday i’ve done to download standard version of 7 professional and it’s work! thanks for this tips…

    Reply
  33. Andira says

    January 5, 2010 at 5:28 PM

    hey..
    it doesn’t work for me…
    i have windows 7 professional ISO.. and after i extract it.. deleted ei.cfg.. then rebuild it with oscdimg.exe.. that still professional version..

    is there ultimate ISO required?

    Reply
    • Author says

      January 5, 2010 at 7:22 PM

      It seems You have OEM version of Windows 7 (shipped with PC/Laptop)

  34. mark jie says

    December 26, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    so Mr. admin, i have read your article and something come in my mind. how do i want to combine the all edition of windows 7?
    meaning i want to combine all edition in windows 7 ultimate(Ultimate, Professional, Home Premium, Home Basic, and Starter) with the Enterprise edition? do i need to use the WAIK? i just want to make a collection of my windows.
    or maybe we can combine windows 7 and windows XP???cos windows vista are very heavy to me..hehe lol and as i can say..i wanna make collection of my window

    Reply
    • Author says

      December 26, 2009 at 3:57 PM

      Create Windows 7 AIO (All-In-One) DVD or Merge all editions of Windows 7 in single DVD

  35. Mr RedHead says

    November 5, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    To delete the ei.cfg doesn’t unlock all version with Enterprise version.

    Reply
    • Author says

      November 23, 2009 at 1:24 AM

      Enterprise is the only edition, which is made available in seprate ISO and can be purchase through Volume channels.

  36. DJ says

    October 27, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    Is there a way we can get N editions if we are not in the region? Or does deleting this config file not work with that?

    Reply
    • Author says

      November 23, 2009 at 1:21 AM

      To unlock N editions, you need an ISO of N edition, that is available on MSDN and TechNet.

  37. JGM says

    October 26, 2009 at 5:35 PM

    Step 3 is a little confusing do we have to simply ADD into the ei.cfg file the following;

    * Ulimate
    * Professional
    * HomePremium
    * HomeBasic
    * Starter

    In order to unlock all editiion or do we just delete the file all together and then re-build the DVD into a bootable DVD?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Author says

      October 26, 2009 at 10:32 PM

      To unlock all edition, you just need to delete ei.cfg and rebuild the DVD.

  38. SpeedDevil says

    September 3, 2009 at 1:01 AM

    I have tried to do the trick with windows 7 x64 Ultimat and apparently it does not work on having installed gives me problems of intall.win in the version x86 I did not have problems if anybody me can help with regard to the version x64 as achievement unblock the versions that I help myself please.

    Reply
    • Author says

      September 3, 2009 at 1:37 AM

      I just tried on Windows 7 x64 and it is working fine… see screenshot.

  39. Naresh says

    August 31, 2009 at 5:36 PM

    Nice trick “Mr. MVP”
    Thanks & regards

    Reply
  40. sankidra says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:24 AM

    It also works with rc editions. same thing.

    Reply
  41. Nitin says

    August 12, 2009 at 12:13 AM

    that is a nice trick!! awesome discovery….

    Reply
  42. Ganesh says

    August 11, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    Thats a nice trick…..

    Reply
  43. goldi says

    August 10, 2009 at 7:03 PM

    Thanks for the info

    Reply

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