Cheapest (legal) way to get windows 7?

[Psion]

Ok, so I'm a bit confused on what to do. My old comp came with windows vista home basic installed on it already, and I'm getting a new comp that I'm building myself.

HOWEVER, I'm also giving away my old comp to my brother since he doesn't have one. This means I need a new copy of windows for my new comp, preferably windows 7 64 bit. One thing I'm looking at is this:

http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/...w/default.aspx

Where you can buy the upgrade and download it online, for a lot cheaper than the 300 bucks or so everywhere else seems to be asking. <.<; The problem is, I'm worried it means I can no longer use the old vista home basic on my old comp, which means my brother is out of an OS. He's not computer savvy at all, so I was debating just sticking linux on the old comp, but I'm worried he'd get mad at it and lost and punch a hole in the wall or three. (he's an angry little brother. <.<; )

I'd rather not spend more than $100 bucks or so on this problem, so I'm having trouble figuring out what to do. Another problem I'm wondering is, provided I buy this "upgrade", it's where you download it. Which is nice and all, but seeing as how my old comp won't have an OS in it, how do I get the windows 7 installed on it? It's not like I can open up firefox on the new comp to get internet access to download the OS, now can I? x.x;

I was thinking maybe I could buy some old XP for old comp, then found out even that is a rip off at 140 bucks or so. I'm starting to realize why Bill Gates is so filthy rich.

So, I'm basically just wondering if A) Windows Vista home basic will even let me get the upgrade, B) what to do with the old comp for an OS, since I think it invalidates the old vista once you upgrade, and you can't install it on multiple comps, and C) can I get the upgrade download onto a disk and use it like an OS disk or something.

Halp, it's the last hurdle I need to solve before the fun of putting a comp together!

[Killgannon]

the problem is you cant install that windows vista home on your new computer because its linked to the old one and microsoft doesnt allow that kind of transfer. so your only choice at all is to buy windows 7 out right, sorry.

this is all you need, its 176 not $300 like you mentioned... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-716-_-Product

however I also notice that you are trying to go for a student version, which makes me think you must be in college, your school should have an enterprise license that they sell at the book store for drastically less than what you could find... some schools even let you download it for free

[Psion]

If you're able to find something at www.saddleback.edu, by my guest. <.< I Went under new and continuing students > bookstore, then checked the software shop, and looked for windows 7, but...:

http://www.journeyed.com/dept/Brands...%2Bwindows%2B7

The only things I see say upgrade, not the full OS or whatever, which suggests to me that it's the exact same situation. =,=

[Killgannon]

ok well maybe your school isnt big enough to participate in that, so i would go with newegg as its cheaper, unless there's some drastic reason you need professional, home premium is just fine... you could also try waiting til black friday and see if theres any sort of sale

the full os's are there, they're just higher priced than what i linked before, they're the ones that dont have update next to them

[Bockage]

You can get a copy through MSDNAA for $10. Only thing is you need to be in a school that has that program or know someone who is. Otherwise, the cheapest option is probably getting a OEM copy from newegg.

[Psion]

What about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-758-_-Product

I'm just now sure what OEM means for me, specifically. Do I need to be a merchant to buy it, or can anyone buy it? I'm presuming it's similar to how my current OS is, where I can only use it on my current motherboard, which in this case is a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-665-_-Product . Since I'm spending about 1150 on the system, OS and monitor not included, I doubt I'll need to upgrade the motherboard or other things anytime soon, so I'm not too worried about getting a new motherboard and having to get a new copy of windows 7. Main worries I have are whether I can get the OEM version, and what it entails, exactly, for me. Can I upgrade my other things, like adding more RAM, or an external hard drive, or the like, in the future, so long as the motherboard is left alone?

Main reason I don't wanna spend much is because the more I spend on this, the less I can spend on a decent monitor. >.<; And believe me, I need a decent monitor, as all I got is a 5 year old low end cathode ray screen that isn't even wide enough for most webpages anymore.

Anyways, is there any limitations besides lack of transferablity in the OES version I need to be aware of? Main thing I want pro over normal is for the XP mode, since I got a lot of older games and applications, and I'm worried that they won't be compatible with windows 7. Though if they run with vista, would windows 7 home premium be fine?

[Killgannon]

nope, that is exactly what you want. it will come with a a sticker like on retail computers with your coa on it as well, just doesnt come with any manuals or boxes like the retail would

[Psion]

You can get a copy through MSDNAA for $10. Only thing is you need to be in a school that has that program or know someone who is. Otherwise, the cheapest option is probably getting a OEM copy from newegg.

Apparantly, my school is, but...

http://msdn08.e-academy.com/elms/Sto...np1=112&p=1441

What worries me is that it mentions download for free, which is O_O, but when you look at the mail order version for a hard copy it says that it includes windows 7 proffessional 64 bit- upgrade only. Which makes me worry that the download version is the exact same shit as everything else, need to use the old product key. ><;

[Killgannon]

looks like id download it anyways... if its the upgrade you're just out time, if its not you can put it on a usb stick and get done with your new computer a lot faster

[Psion]

Hmm, looks promising at any rate. I'll have to look into it, because free OS sounds delicious, and leaves me more money for a good monitor. :3

And this is why I trust BG for all my tech needs, leave it to the posters here to know all the best deals. ^^

[Kerberoz]

You can get a copy through MSDNAA for $10. Only thing is you need to be in a school that has that program or know someone who is. Otherwise, the cheapest option is probably getting a OEM copy from newegg.

^this, just find someone who has access if you don't. Although, honestly, I'd say just pirate it. Never had a single problem with bootloader'd W7, updates work fine, etc.

[Psion]

^this, just find someone who has access if you don't. Although, honestly, I'd say just pirate it. Never had a single problem with bootloader'd W7, updates work fine, etc.

True, but why get something for free, when you can get it for free AND legal? :D

[Ratatapa]

I have a copy of W7 to sell Pro edition not used :O

[Yabby]

If you can download Win7 64 bit i'll hook you up with a Key, PM me.

Edit Professional btw.

[Isiolia]

Home Premium OEM is $99 or so, and that'd work fine. OEM limitations in terms of what the end-user sees are no phone support, and no ability to transfer to another PC (officially anyway). Technically, it's only -supposed- to be sold with new hardware/etc, but if you're putting it on your new build then that's the intended use anyway.

Windows will only usually deactivate if there's a major change, like a motherboard swap, and even if that happens you can try to call MS and have them give you an activation code. Smaller upgrades shouldn't be an issue. About the only times I've seen Windows deactivate is when swapping a drive into another machine entirely.

XP Mode in Pro is nothing to write home about. Basically all it gives you is Virtual PC + a barebones XP image. It doesn't have 3D graphics acceleration or anything, so it's only really appropriate for business apps and the like. You can still tell 7 to run things in compatibility mode without it. That said, I still prefer Professional to Home Premium for other things, like full file ownership tabs and the like without rebooting to safe mode.

Other than the MS page there, check with your actual school too. They may sell Windows, or a bundle that includes access to Windows, for a price lower than the OEM version. Possibly not via the bookstore (where I work there's a campus software distribution office, which handles software for students as well as faculty/staff).


If your brother doesn't have a PC at all, and thus no existing base of software he wants to run, putting something like Ubuntu on there would likely be a good route. The catch there is more what he might want to do with it going forward. If he decides that he now has a PC, and runs out to buy a printer, scanner, six games, and so on...then it might be frustrating. If he uses it to click the Firefox icon and get on the interwebs, then Linux will likely just save you the "I have this thingy popping up and saying my computer has viruses and I need to pay $49.95 to remove them" phone call.

[Yabby]

, putting something like Ubuntu on there would likely be a good route.

This is really good advice in the case stated. I'm not sure if it would be good for your brother because i'm sure he will want to do things you would need windows for tho. My grandparents only use their computer for checking e-mail's/ surfing the net. After the 20th call in a week of doing something retarded and calling me to fix it I installed Ubuntu on their computer. Been 4 months with no "HELP" e-mail/call lol.

[Franzer]

If your brother doesn't have a PC at all, and thus no existing base of software he wants to run, putting something like Ubuntu on there would likely be a good route. The catch there is more what he might want to do with it going forward. If he decides that he now has a PC, and runs out to buy a printer, scanner, six games, and so on...then it might be frustrating.

Not so much so anymore. Most Linux distros, especially ubuntu these days which is aimed at the normal user, has become very compatible with almost all printers and scanners right out of the box. While games is a whole other area, WINE and its user base can usually get almost any windows game up and running with some effort, and if you want to pay money, Cedega is supposed to be pretty solid, although i have no experience with it. Ubuntu is a great start though to escape microsoft, and it won't cost you a dime.

[shiarua]

Apparantly, my school is, but...

http://msdn08.e-academy.com/elms/Sto...np1=112&p=1441

What worries me is that it mentions download for free, which is O_O, but when you look at the mail order version for a hard copy it says that it includes windows 7 proffessional 64 bit- upgrade only. Which makes me worry that the download version is the exact same shit as everything else, need to use the old product key. ><;

This is the full version of Windows 7 64 bit. Same thing that is on my MSDNAA. Try adding the free version to your cart and checking out. Should get an email with the product key then. The download is the image of the install disc.

[Isiolia]

Not so much so anymore. Most Linux distros, especially ubuntu these days which is aimed at the normal user, has become very compatible with almost all printers and scanners right out of the box. While games is a whole other area, WINE and its user base can usually get almost any windows game up and running with some effort, and if you want to pay money, Cedega is supposed to be pretty solid, although i have no experience with it. Ubuntu is a great start though to escape microsoft, and it won't cost you a dime.

Usually depends on the particular hardware. I agree, a lot of stuff does work - the main problem with Linux as a desktop OS remains when something doesn't just work/isn't just in the package manager. If you go buy a $40 printer at Target, it'll have a disc for Windows in the box. It'll have instructions on how to install it, on Windows (and possibly OS X). It likely won't have that kind of easy step-by-step for Linux, in the event that it doesn't just work when the thing is plugged in.

Don't get me wrong, Ubuntu (particularly) is a rather polished end-user experience, and does work seamlessly with a surprising amount of hardware. I've just seen assumptions on usage not actually line up more often than not, and there are enough things that would be more difficult on Linux versus Windows that I'd want to check and make sure it'd truly be the easier option.
To be perfectly fair though, it's not that much different than choosing to go with a Mac over a Windows box, and there are plenty of people who are willing to pay a premium to do that.

[Franzer]

If you go buy a $40 printer at Target, it'll have a disc for Windows in the box. It'll have instructions on how to install it, on Windows (and possibly OS X). It likely won't have that kind of easy step-by-step for Linux, in the event that it doesn't just work when the thing is plugged in.

sadly, this is the world we currently live in