You can find Windows Vista from authorized retailers or online stores that sell legitimate copies.
You can find Windows Vista from authorized retailers or online stores that sell legitimate copies.
You can obtain the Vista installation media from Microsoft's official website or authorized resellers. Since you have the activation code, you may also be able to download the ISO file directly. Check the Microsoft support portal or contact their customer service for assistance.
Consider seeking a person who owns the disk or purchase it from eBay. Avoid searching for the ISO on dubious sites unless you're comfortable with that risk.
since i don’t want to invest more money in something i already paid $15 for...
OP likely possesses a Windows Vista license, it's not possible to enable 7 using a Vista key.
Unless you're a power user or have an old machine, it's a bit sad. But if you locate a list from a trustworthy source with proper hash values, you can verify if it's a valid ISO standard. Adding anything beyond copying it alters the hash, indicating it's no longer safe to use.