Windows 7 Retail - Number of PC's to install on?

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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Hi all,

After a quick question, have someone who has just bought 4 pc's off a business to use in his business.

He wants to install Windows 7 on the machines, can he get away with buying a retail version and using it? how many machines can he install on?
 
what would be the deal if I wanted to use it on 4 machines? what would I need to purchase (assuming a volume license pack) or 4-5 licences. Can I do this over the phone so I can go ahead and install windows now?

I need to get these machines prepped if poss before they buy any disks with keys tomorrow, I have MSDN windows 7 x86 disk, I know I can go ahead and install windows 7 on the machine and it gives you 30 days to activate, if I install it, and he buys a copy of windows 7 tomorrow, will I be able to activate the install I done from the MSDN cd with the key that came with the copy that was purchased?
 
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Install the Windows you want now, and just don't enter a license key.

It will let you proceed and license them afterwards.
 
dLockers said:
Install the Windows you want now, and just don't enter a license key.

It will let you proceed and license them afterwards.
Click to expand...

Cool ta :)

Spoken with him he is fine to buy a 5 licence pack off them, main thing is I can get on with the build
 
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DJMK4 said:
what would be the deal if I wanted to use it on 4 machines? what would I need to purchase (assuming a volume license pack) or 4-5 licences. Can I do this over the phone so I can go ahead and install windows now?

I need to get these machines prepped if poss before they buy any disks with keys tomorrow, I have MSDN windows 7 x86 disk, I know I can go ahead and install windows 7 on the machine and it gives you 30 days to activate, if I install it, and he buys a copy of windows 7 tomorrow, will I be able to activate the install I done from the MSDN cd with the key that came with the copy that was purchased?
Click to expand...

Why are you using 32bit - are the puters that old?
One can download 7 in any edition
Yes you should be able to enable with keys. I doubt that Windows 7 bought in respect of 4 copies is in anyway cheaper than buying them competitively retail.
What edition of 7 are you installing?
Have you thought of Ubuntu? - it's free
 
marmalade said:
Why are you using 32bit - are the puters that old?
One can download 7 in any edition
Yes you should be able to enable with keys. I doubt that Windows 7 bought in respect of 4 copies is in anyway cheaper than buying them competitively retail.
What edition of 7 are you installing?
Have you thought of Ubuntu? - it's free
Click to expand...

Linux isnt an option, it for a small business set-up, the PC's Dell Optiplex GX520's, I have just done an install now with 1gb going to be upgraded to 2gb and it seems to be handling fine in windows 7 ultimate, if they want to upgrade in the future they can. I have spoke with microsoft on the phone just then and they said they can do the licensing on the phone after they have been installed

TBH I went and look what they had for £400, they had 4 dell optiplex gz520's including all keyboards, monitors, mouse all in good condition, 24 port switch, 3 UPS's, dell rack server (this will be done later on, not worried about that now) and lots of office furniture! so I cant see how he could have turned down an offer
 
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DJMK4 said:
b and it seems to be handling fine in windows 7 ultimate,
Click to expand...

I'd have thought W7 business would be cheaper. Don't go for Home Premium or Start since they can't be joined to an Active Directory domain.

Also check the PCs, if they already have windows license key stickers you might be able to get away with one of the upgrade editions.
 
Ultimate has the ability to join a domain though? I have used it before fine on domain, What I am worried about is the MSDN ISO of ultimate that I have (I have both versions btw x86 and x64, will I still be able to activate once I have purchased the licences through them? or will I need to use a completely new download.
 
DJMK4 said:
Ultimate has the ability to join a domain though? I have used it before fine on domain, What I am worried about is the MSDN ISO of ultimate that I have (I have both versions btw x86 and x64, will I still be able to activate once I have purchased the licences through them? or will I need to use a completely new download.
Click to expand...

Yes ultimate can join a domain, I just thought getting pro would save you some money on licensing.
 
Where can I get the pro Iso from? I tried Microsoft but the download they have is for enterprise.

Edit think I found pro
 
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Cool ta :) will get this.

Any idea's on the cheapest way to obtain pro licences? Microsoft's volume licencing dept is not open until Monday. So can't find out prices.

Or would it be cheaper to go through a reseller?

I am anticipating around £90 - £105 per licence, however I maybe way off. Could I get it cheaper?
 
Microsoft licensing in the way you're looking at it can be rather complicated; there are various options for a small business (i.e Open Value) but you'd need to speak to a reseller or Microsoft directly for pricing. It may well be cheaper to buy retail copies of Windows 7 Professional (which seems to be about £100 if you buy OEM). Best to wait until you can speak to somebody with access to the price list; as others have stated, you can install Windows without a product key and enter it later on. According to the Anytime Upgrade page, you can upgrade from Professional to Ultimate without having to re-install should you need to.
 
OK, I will use the Windows 7 pro iso I have downloaded, then wait until Monday until I can speak with someone :)
 
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