Windows 7 and Vista return! Thank this modder’s ready-to-install ISOs
Windows 11’s track record hasn’t been great. Every update seems to cause all kinds of problems, which is why many users would revert to a previous version if they can. Fortunately, it’s now easier than ever to do, as one Windows enthusiast has restored two classic versions—Windows 7 and Windows Vista—and made them usable again.
Officially, Windows 7 and Windows Vista have long been unsupported, meaning they aren’t receiving security updates. Not only that, but these two versions have not been without problems. But if you’re a Windows enthusiast, nostalgia alone may make these worth trying again.
The updated ISO versions come from user Bob Pony, who installed and provided all the necessary patches. In the case of Windows Vista, these updates even caught up to the current month (January 2026), which is possible since Windows Vista recently received its last update as part of the Premium Assurance Updates, which are roughly comparable to the Extended Security Updates for Windows 10.
Before you get started
An important note: before you install Windows 7 or Windows Vista on your computer and enjoy these nostalgic versions, you should be aware that there are a few risks involved.
Since Microsoft no longer supports either version, your system may end up vulnerable to hackers if security vulnerabilities are found down the road. For maximum security, you should never go online with a PC that’s running an unsupported version of Windows.
One way to still use Windows 7 or Windows Vista is as a kind of retro build on a secondary system without any sensitive data on it. Or you can use it in a virtual machine to simulate the operating system in a safe sandbox that’s shielded from the actual system itself.
If you still want to go through with it, you can download the ISO files for Windows 7 or Windows Vista from one of Bob Pony’s links (below) and set it up directly for your desired system. You can also use these ISO files to create a bootable drive via USB stick or DVD.