Cheapest way to get Windows 7 license

[Canetoad]

Hi guys,

What's the cheapest way to get a Windows 7 license? I seem to remember seeing somewhere that you could buy a cheap license if you had a child in school. :scratch:

[synsei]

Which version of Windows are you using at the moment Bernie?

[MartinT]

I think Home Premium OEM version (which you shouldn't really be able to buy) will be the cheapest way of getting it. Amazon sell it.

You can get Office 2010 Student Home version, but I can't see a student W7 edition apart from through a school or college that runs the educational scheme.

[Canetoad]

Which version of Windows are you using at the moment Bernie?

Currently running XP SP3. I'm about to upgrade the motherboard, amongst other items, and install Windows 7.

Current PC is getting really flaky and if I'm going to reinstall everything I may as well upgrade first.

[MartinT]

For a new build like that, Bernie, OEM version is your best bet.

[Rare Bird]

if i ever have to use W7 i'll probably throw myself off a cliff :lol:

[Canetoad]

That doesn't leave much leeway for a reaction to using Vista Andre! :lol:

[Rare Bird]

I got a lucky escape my 'XP' machine is still running ok :D

[Audioman]

I have never had many gripes with Vista frankly. Have managed to get round any so called incompatability issues with using old software and hardware. Waiting for Win8 before I let Microsoft remove any more money from my bank account. Hopefully in future everything will go free and open source.

[Martinh]

Windows 8 is out in a few weeks and there will be a very low cost (£25?) upgrade offer.

[Tim]

What's the cheapest way to get a Windows 7 license? I seem to remember seeing somewhere that you could buy a cheap license if you had a child in school. :scratch:
Hi Bernie,

If you qualify, then a Windows 7 (upgrade) disc is normally available for around £45.00 from Software4students. However, I just checked their website and they are out of stock, I would guess this is down to the impending release of Windows 8 and they may no longer be stocking it - might be worth an email to them to check?

http://www.software4students.co.uk/t/brands/windows-7

As Martin has suggested an OEM version will be cheapest and I would wager that once 8 comes out eBay will be awash with Windows 7 - but that's always a bit of a risky option.

[MartinT]

Just remember the OEM version stays with the machine. Scrap the machine, and you cannot transfer it. That's not to say you can't swap a lot of bits out over time...

[aquapiranha]

Linux Mint..... :)

[Reid Malenfant]

Just remember the OEM version stays with the machine. Scrap the machine, and you cannot transfer it. That's not to say you can't swap a lot of bits out over time...
Are you sure Martin? Just asking as I needed a copy of XP to run a home built PC I made a while ago. In the end I sourced a copy of XP Pro which was a Dell disk & installed this on my bitsa PC, it worked fine.

The same was installed on my Acer lappy when the HDD got a boot sector error as the bitsa was no longer used.

Again I had no problems, regular updates from MS etc no problem.

Though maybe we aren't quite talking about the same thing? If so, apologies :)

[MartinT]

I think in the XP era you could get away with it. Not now, with Microsoft Activation. The legal position has always been clear: OEM Windows dies with the machine.

[Reid Malenfant]

Ah, the advances of technology :wanker:


:lol:

Learn something new every day, cheers Martin :)

[Tim]

Yup, Martin is bang on. XP was very loose when it came to upgrading hardware, but Microsoft as tightened this significantly. Windows 7 wanted me to reactivate my licence recently just for changing a hard drive in my system! It wasn't an issue as I only ever use licenced software, but it could be for those that don't.

[Mr Nad]

I was going to suggest software for Students, but as they are out of stock, try pugh.co.uk or rm.com (though, looking at rm, they do look a little expensive).

MS is quite generous with it's educational policy, so you probably qualify.

[bobbasrah]

I think in the XP era you could get away with it. Not now, with Microsoft Activation. The legal position has always been clear: OEM Windows dies with the machine.

Correct me if wrong here Martin, but as I understood it OEM was intended for the mass manufacturers, but could be bought by a constructor if purchased along with hardware which was used in the build? I had several rows with suppliers over their interpretation on this MS requirement over the years.....

The licence was validated mainly with the motherboard and remained valid if the principal components were unchanged. However, even changing a failed hdd could be accommodated. Has this been changed ?
ie - If the motherboard is new at first install, OEM licence should outlast the lifetime of the machine.....

[MartinT]

That's pretty much it, Bob. Almost any change can be made, and if activation fails you can phone Microsoft and they'll usually allow it. They are very helpful and do distinguish between an individual trying to get their machine licenced and some Chinese knock-off company trying to activate 10,000 machines with illegal software.