How to Install Windows 7 or 8 to Imac if you have never owned these OS's before?

Hi Guys / Girls.
I hope someone can help me.
I recently bought a new Imac (no optical drive). My OS is Mountain Lion.
I have seen many topics / videos on how to install Windows 7 or Windows 8 on my Imac, however I have a problem!
I don't own a copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Where can I buy and download it legally?
I tried the Microsoft website, but I can't find windows 7?
The download for Windows 8 is only an upgrade if you already have Windows 7.
Is there a way that I can buy and download the full version of Windows 8 without Windows 7?
Or can I download Windows 7 from somewhere?
The other option I have is I have an old Windows XP installation disc.
Can I some how bump this up to Windows 8 and then use bootcamp to install to my Mac?
I'm not sure which will be the best way to install the new Windows 8 to my Imac.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Well, a lot of questions here.
The reason you cannot download Windows 7 from Microsoft is that they discontinued it as a download in December 2012.
There are places you can download Windows 7 but probably not 100% legal - so I won't say anything more about these. However, you can still buy genuine versions via Amazon.
As you say, a full (non-upgrade) version of Windows 8 (actually 8.1 now) is not available from Microsoft as a download. Even if it was, it would be $200+
I suspect that your most economical option is to invest in a cheap USB CD/DVD drive to connect to your iMac and install XP under Boot Camp to see if you like the way it works. You could then decide if you want to upgrade.
You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 (about $120 for upgrade) from XP either by download or buying the upgrade discs - cost will be similar and if you already have the drive, then it will be straightforward installation. Again, copies available via Amazon.

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http://books.slashdot.org/books/08/02/27/1551206.shtml
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Somebody can help me how to install windows in my imac

Somebody can help me how to install windows in my imac

Windows on Intel Macs
There are presently several alternatives for running Windows on Intel Macs.
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     2. Parallels Desktop for Mac and Windows XP, Vista Business,
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     3. VM Fusion and Windows XP, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate,
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     4. CrossOver which enables running many Windows
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Geo94 wrote:
I am trying to install windows 7 on my iMac using Parallels 8 desktop for mac so i can use microsoft office 2010. i know there is a mac version that is the same, but my college professor wants me to use the windows version becaus they have diferrent xml coding.
Utter nonsense.
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Disclaimer: I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my link.

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Hi everybody,
I am sorry in case this has been covered before, but i couldnt find anything searching different categgories here, so i´d appreciate some help.
I have got a late 2011 MacBook Air with lots of SSD and so on and i want to install windows 7.
I bought a wndows 7 OEM DVD (actually, two discs, one says support software)
I have tried to run bootcamp and follow the instructions, but to now end.
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does anybody have a good, comprehensive instruction on how to install windows 7 on an MBA withou optical drive?
Also, is 30GB OK for Win 7 if you basically dont wanna do to much in windows (no office etc, just some small clients)
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Welcome to Apple Support Communities
You can install Windows from a USB drive in one of these computers:
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