Windows 7 has been officially launched, but Microsoft never makes available official download links that allow retail customers to download setup installer or ISO image of Windows 7, despite digital downloads have been the sole distribution channel for many that purchases from online store or on MSDN or TechNet subscriptions.

Many mass general public who requires a Windows 7 installation DVD or ISO image has to rely on BT torrent to download Windows 7 ISO from MSDN or TechNet Subscriber Downloads, and it carries the risk of getting fake, incorrect, malicious or infected images instead.

Now the direct download links to the Windows 7 operating system purchased online have been leaked. The installation files of Windows 7 is hosted on the server on domain msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net owned by Digital River, one of the delivery partners for Vista and also the brain behind Windows Marketplace e-commerce store.

Unlike Windows Vista, each editions of Windows 7 has its own different and separate download links. The Windows 7 setup installer package comes in 3 parts, which is an executable that starts the extraction or unpacking and installation process, plus setup1.box and setup2.box. After extracting all content to a folder named ExpandedSetup, the installation files should be the same with what contains on a DVD.

Windows 7 Direct Download Links
32-bit Windows 7 Professional x86
 

After downloading the files, simply double click on the executable, e.g. Win7-P-Retail-en-us-x86.exe to start unloading the box and to install Windows 7. Note that 3 files must be put together in the same directory. You still need a product key to activate installed Windows 7.

And there is hack to create or make bootable Windows 7 DVD ISO images out of downloaded files.