Idea to get Windows 7 Pro 64x for £40 (legal)

paradisiac · 13 Feb 2012 at 21:13

The__Dragon said:
Because I am not immoral, I still believe in having a legitimate copy of Win7, having cracked torrents are wrong... Other wise, I would have to save up an extra 2 months, for a computer that I still can't get till August!

but what you are suggesting is immoral, you are saying you will 'upgrade' your vista licence (which you do not own) to your windows 7 upgrade licence. therefore the licence is worthless, so you have spent £40 on a pretty coloured sticker that means nothing in the eyes of the law.

CaptainCrash · 13 Feb 2012 at 21:18

The__Dragon said:
Because I am not immoral, I still believe in having a legitimate copy of Win7, having cracked torrents are wrong... Other wise, I would have to save up an extra 2 months, for a computer that I still can't get till August!

In that case it might not be worth bothering with Win7 anyway - the Windows 8 Consumer Preview will be available for public download and use in a couple of weeks, and obviously the full version will be out later this year (possibly at an initial knockdown price, if it follows the Win7 pattern).

Macro · 13 Feb 2012 at 22:11

Just get the full OEM version for £79. Clicky for OCUK.

You can't transfer it to another machine (i.e. it lives and dies with the machine you first install it on) but then by the time you build a new machine you'll be wanting Windows 8 anyway.

Probably the cheapest way of being fully legal (and by the way, it makes a refreshing change to see someone who isn't flush with cash at least try to do the right thing, nice work fella).

Macro · 13 Feb 2012 at 22:12

CaptainCrash said:
In that case it might not be worth bothering with Win7 anyway - the Windows 8 Consumer Preview will be available for public download and use in a couple of weeks, and obviously the full version will be out later this year (possibly at an initial knockdown price, if it follows the Win7 pattern).

Good point

Semple · 13 Feb 2012 at 22:21

If you're a student get your teacher to apply to MSDNAA. You can get copies of windows 7 on there for free. Best of all it's 100% legit.

Pho · 13 Feb 2012 at 22:22

Athanor said:
Just get the full OEM version for £79. Clicky for OCUK.

You can't transfer it to another machine (i.e. it lives and dies with the machine you first install it on) but then by the time you build a new machine you'll be wanting Windows 8 anyway.

Probably the cheapest way of being fully legal (and by the way, it makes a refreshing change to see someone who isn't flush with cash at least try to do the right thing, nice work fella).

I thought you had to be building a PC for someone else to use OEM?

/devil's advocate

.

d_brennen · 13 Feb 2012 at 22:36

Pho said:
I thought you had to be building a PC for someone else to use OEM?

/devil's advocate .

It's a grey area. Microsoft would like you to think it is "illegal" to buy OEM software on it's own and to move your OEM software from one motherboard to another. It isn't of course, it is against the EULA that no one reads. The EULA isn't law

FWIW Windows 7 OEM can be moved between boards several times (after the first installation you probably have to call the activation line if within 120 days of the last activation, 1 minute bashing in numbers, no biggie).

j.col · 13 Feb 2012 at 23:39

Semple said:
If you're a student get your teacher to apply to MSDNAA. You can get copies of windows 7 on there for free. Best of all it's 100% legit.

Does this work for non Uni students as well?
I have a son in a 6th form college, doing a 2 year Btech IT course, would he be eligible for this?

asim18 · 14 Feb 2012 at 00:43

j.col said:
Does this work for non Uni students as well?
I have a son in a 6th form college, doing a 2 year Btech IT course, would he be eligible for this?

I highly doubt any 6th form colleges would sign up their students for MSDNAA.

But you may be able to use https://www.dreamspark.com

When I signed up all you needed was a .ac.uk email address; which my sixth form provided to all students.
https://www.dreamspark.com/

Orcvader · 14 Feb 2012 at 08:06

asim18 said:
I highly doubt any 6th form colleges would sign up their students for MSDNAA.

But you may be able to use https://www.dreamspark.com

When I signed up all you needed was a .ac.uk email address; which my sixth form provided to all students.
https://www.dreamspark.com/

What the- The MSDNAA site's changed! (MSDNAA site redirects to DreamSpark now)

Says my University is not subscribed anymore but the MSDNAA link they gave me still works...

Macro · 14 Feb 2012 at 14:03

Pho said:
I thought you had to be building a PC for someone else to use OEM?

/devil's advocate .

Actually you're quite right, I hadn't noticed that update http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_for_hobbyists.aspx

kilohawk · 15 Feb 2012 at 00:32

The__Dragon said:
Can't find it... If u post it I can look quickly then i say done u delete?

use your imagination, what are you looking for? and who is it '4' (students)

Haggisman · 15 Feb 2012 at 14:20

Athanor said:
Just get the full OEM version for £79. Clicky for OCUK.

You can't transfer it to another machine (i.e. it lives and dies with the machine you first install it on) but then by the time you build a new machine you'll be wanting Windows 8 anyway.

Probably the cheapest way of being fully legal (and by the way, it makes a refreshing change to see someone who isn't flush with cash at least try to do the right thing, nice work fella).

I've always wondered what exactly counts as "the same machine". If my motherboard dies and I replace it, is that no longer the same machine? What if I replace it with a different motherboard? What if I upgrade the processor in the future but keep everything else the same? What if the HDD dies, and I have to reinstall on a different one?

CaptainCrash · 15 Feb 2012 at 15:14

Haggisman said:
I've always wondered what exactly counts as "the same machine". If my motherboard dies and I replace it, is that no longer the same machine? What if I replace it with a different motherboard?

This has been pretty much done to death here to be honest - have a look at this thread and this one for starters.

To cut a long story short, the accepted wisdom is that (new motherboard == new computer) for OEM licensing purposes - I don't agree, at least when you look at it from a strictly legal viewpoint.

Haggisman · 15 Feb 2012 at 16:28

Fair enough - first I've seen of that FAQ on the MS site, so I guess that clears up what they think of it.

Supposedly that means you could upgrade all of the other components (including the case which the license sticker is stuck to!) and still be within the license... which would be an interesting one if it ever came to an audit XD

The__Dragon · 15 Feb 2012 at 22:07

Oh Yeah! I totally forgot about Windows 8! I looked it up and they are planning to release the customer preview like next week, will it run all the normal programs?