Vista Ultimate for £40

Lanz

Lanz

Lanz

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Just a reminder for those that have been waiting for the new student deals to finally come out, well Vista Ultimate is now available to purchase.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-uk/default.aspx

There's not an actual link to buy Vista yet, but if you click BUY NOW on the Office deal and follow the instructions, eventually you'll get a list of all the software that you can buy.
 
A word of warning: I tried this about 2 hours ago, and so far the list of problems are:

1) Of the three files you needed to download, only two of them were linked to in my "confirmation page".
2) My confirmation page contains no sign of a product key.
3) My confirmation e-mail contains no sign of a product key.
4) The login/order status system is a bit of a joke and tells you next to nothing.

I've sent raised several requests through their online customer service section, but no luck yet. The three files you are told to download are <install.win>, <boot.win> and <X14-63452.exe>. It is the third of these which is not linked to, so I'm currently downloading <install.win> and waiting for an update. No doubt these are just teething issues, but I'm not particularly impressed with the system so far!
 
Lanz said:
Just a reminder for those that have been waiting for the new student deals to finally come out, well Vista Ultimate is now available to purchase.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-uk/default.aspx

There's not an actual link to buy Vista yet, but if you click BUY NOW on the Office deal and follow the instructions, eventually you'll get a list of all the software that you can buy.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I wondered why Vista hadn't been given the Buy Now button today.
 
I've been waiting for this as well. Just looked at the ordering and you have to specify either 32-bit or 64-bit to order. Anybody downloaded yet and found out if they get media for both versions (as retail Ultimate is supposed to have) or do we have to buy the alternative media if needed from Microsoft; like with other retail versions?
 
I would presume you just get whatever media you asked for. But then you can just download an iso of a torrent site, as thats fine if you use your valid key.
 
Lanz said:
I would presume you just get whatever media you asked for. But then you can just download an iso of a torrent site, as thats fine if you use your valid key.
Click to expand...
Appreciate that but finding a clean download of the retail version (not OEM) is not that easy.
I'm also a little concerned on this download mentioned by w11tho. Would expect an ISO but "<install.win>, <boot.win> and <X14-63452.exe>" sounds a little odd. Just a little concerned that this is some sort of upgrade that must be run from within a previous windows version (as it is an upgrade license) and also that the key might be tied to this and not usable with a generic retail DVD.
Probably reading too much into it but anybody any experience of this?
 
<install.win>, <boot.win> and <X14-63452.exe>" sounds a little odd
Click to expand...

ms done this before, don't no why thou, still same result.
you d/l the 3 files ran the exe & it placed vista in folder for burning
 
w11tho said:
1) Of the three files you needed to download, only two of them were linked to in my "confirmation page".
2) My confirmation page contains no sign of a product key.
3) My confirmation e-mail contains no sign of a product key.
Click to expand...

Just gone through the process myself and it all worked.
1)2 files were linked but the other one was via a big green download button (JavaScript to authenticate me I think) - might some security software have hidden it?
2 & 3) Product key was printed in both.

Also found a process to create a bootable retail DVD from these files. Will also have to send off for a 64-bit DVD at some point from the Microsoft site - a little extra cost but can't complain with the overall package.
 
I've found that you have to order a 32bit or 64bit license separately unlike the full consumer retail Ultimate edition that covers both versions. I bought the 32-bit edition and tried to order the 64-bit media through the Microsoft website but my key only gives the option for 32-bit CD media. I guess when I do migrate to 64bit then I'll have to buy another license. Nothing in the Ultimate Steal T&Cs clarifies the license.
 
So, will I be able to do a clean install of Vista 64 with this? From my understanding there is no way to "upgrade" from within XP-32 so you must do a clean install (which is actually what I want anyway) booting from a DVD and this download lets you create your own bootable DVD, right? Seems like a pretty good deal as an OEM copy of Home Premium is around the £70 mark and that isn't transferable and including of support like this is.

boosfuk said:
I've found that you have to order a 32bit or 64bit license separately unlike the full consumer retail Ultimate edition that covers both versions. I bought the 32-bit edition and tried to order the 64-bit media through the Microsoft website but my key only gives the option for 32-bit CD media. I guess when I do migrate to 64bit then I'll have to buy another license. Nothing in the Ultimate Steal T&Cs clarifies the license.
Click to expand...

Any reason why you decided to go with 32 bit anyway? Surely with 4GB RAM you'd be wanting 64 bit Vista?
 
Last edited:
I'd be interested to know a bit more about this. I can't find where it says how long the deal is for either.

From what I understand, to get the 64-bit upgrade you have to have a full previous windows version that is 64-bit. Is this enforceable? I don't have XP 64 and i'd like to get another copy of ultimate on the cheap since i'm eligible!
 
ukbrainstew said:
Any reason why you decided to go with 32 bit anyway? Surely with 4GB RAM you'd be wanting 64 bit Vista?
Click to expand...
I used 64-bit for 3 months but found no performance benefit for me and I don't do much multitasking so 3GB in reality is plenty. Though it has a more secure kernel with patchguard I'm not happy yet with the security apps available (e.g. I only browse within a sandbox). I will move at some point hence the desire for both versions.
 
Checking the page linked above, hovering over the "additional products" icon shows that Vista Ultimate is infact and Upgrade for £40.95. What are the restrictions on that?

Edit: I'm currently already using a 64bit Vista install. Would that work to be upgraded by the new download?
 
paradigm said:
Since when?

You buy the license not the media.
Click to expand...

Yes, this was always my understanding, you can even install Vista without a product key, it just defaults to a trial.

From all that I can gather this SHOULD create a bootable ISO but if it doesn't I've already found an ISO of the retail version online so I can just use the provided product key with that instead. At the end of the day Microsoft is getting their money, its hardly wrong of me to make sure I can use a product I've paid for. I'd just rather not pay the extra £8.95 for the media when I souldn't need to.
 
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