Comments on: Pre-order Windows 7 at a big discount

By: Matthew Heaney

Matthew Heaney — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:53:59 +0000

I have Vista x64 Business on my laptops, so I plan to purchase the Win7 x64 Pro version. You can either do an in-place upgrade, or a clean install. What I would like to do is create a separate partition for a Win7 clean install (I already have this for Win7 RC). Does the Win7 upgrade license (at the special price, as described in your post) allow me to create a separate partition for the Win7 installation? In other words, am I allowed to use both operating systems (obviously not simultaneously)? BTW: with the purchase of an upgrade license, do I get a new activation key?

By: mgo

mgo — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:59:37 +0000

JohnJ:

Windows 7, both 32 bit and 64 bit were aware of my HP D2500 series printer, and it ran right away.

By: JohnJ

JohnJ — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:11:28 +0000

I have a Vista x64 Preinstalled machine. I ran Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor (Beta), and it made no mention of my newish HP printer. Does Windows 7 x64 use Vista x64 printer drivers, or does HP have to write a new one?

By: Carey Frisch

Carey Frisch — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:20:16 +0000

If you receive a free Windows 7 Upgrade from Dell, it will be a Dell branded OEM version that is BIOS-locked to a Dell motherboard. Since it would be an “E” version, you’ll need to perform a clean install.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:22:51 +0000

Cranialsurge,

I too was thinking of this just now. I’m waiting on a new Dell PC that is coming with Vista Home Premium. It was one of the qualifying models for the Windows 7 upgrade program on the Dell Europe site – which means, on October 22 or thereabouts, I will get a copy of Windows 7 E Premium….. either for free, or for the small price of shipping and admin. Now, if there is no such thing as an upgrade in Europe, and people are getting sold retail versions for the usual price of OEM’s and upgrade discs……that SHOULD mean those of us who get the free upgrade also get a retail disc. Which SHOULD leave us free to install it on future machines. Can anyone clarify?

By: Cranialsurge

Cranialsurge — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:04:28 +0000

Ed,

Thanks for the reply. So for the original version of Vista that was on my PC if i get the W7 Home Premium Upgrade would I only be able to install it on that PC or can I transfer it to another machine that has nothing on it ? I know I can do that for the retail but what about for the original install that came with my PC, I am not sure if that one was an OEM.

By: Ed Bott

Ed Bott — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:33:19 +0000

Cranial,

Any version of Windows XP or Vista qualifies for an upgrade to any version of Windows 7. You don’t have to prove it to install it, and Microsoft won’t try to ascertain anything… In fact, you qualify for two upgrades: one for the original version on your PC and another for the retail version.

By: Cranialsurge

Cranialsurge — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:07:38 +0000

Hi Ed,

I have a PC with came with Windows Vista Home Premium on it. The sticker on the computer (it is from iBuyPower.com) does not have any trace of “OEM” on it. Also, I formatted the drive on this PC and installed a Retail version of Windows Vista Business x64 on it that I used for over a year before installing the Windows 7 RC on it. Now if I purchase a Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for 99.99, how would Microsoft be able to ascertain that my PC had a legitimate copy of Windows Vista Business on it prior to installing Windows 7 RC ? Also, I am not sure if the Windows Vista Home Premium that was originally installed on it was OEM or Retail.

By: Mark Schneider

Mark Schneider — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:24:10 +0000

I got mine from Micro Center who had them for $39 and $89 respectively. Deal should be good for a few days, but its in store only. They also knock off 5% additional if you join their email notifier service. Well worth it I got my Core i7 920 for $189 + tax recently so the emails aren’t that obnoxious and have saved me some $$.

By: Ed Bott

Ed Bott — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:24:34 +0000

Tim, who told you upgrades don’t work for OEM versions? Of course they do. You can purchase an upgrade version of Windows 7 for $100 and use it just fine. If you decide you still need Ultimate, you’ll probably be able to upgrade to it for less than $50.

By: tim_here

tim_here — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:33:36 +0000

Ok, i’m totally confused.

I bought a new laptop last week and I had to pay to upgrade it to Ultimate so that i could run it in English (since i’m in japan).

So what should I do now? Seems like i’m kinda screwed. Upgrades apparently don’t work for OEMs. Even if they do there is no offer for Ulimate… or could i upgrade to an english version of 7 pro?

Seems like anyone who got vista in the last few months is being penalized…. shoulda stuck with my old xp cd…

By: Brett Hood

Brett Hood — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 06:21:46 +0000

Why is this not more broadly available?? I dropped a line to Paul Thurrott regarding this issue and the fact that these special offers are not available in Australia as far as I can see. Regarding pricing released by Microsoft they could and should have cut further on Windows 7 editions across the board further and that is disappointing. At least give everyone a chance to get hold of what I believe will be one of the best O\S’s to come out of Microsoft in some time.

By: David P

David P — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:44:18 +0000

Right now I’m using some very cool themes that cycle through several desktop backgrounds. Fluff I know, but I like them. Will the choices be simplifed in Home Premiums?

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:58:37 +0000

IIS 7.5 Question.

I haven’t thought much about it before now but is it true that IIS 7.5 comes with Windows 7 Home Premium?

On WinSuperSite.com it states that this is true but I can’t find anything confirming this.

I believe that Vista Home Premium does not come with ISS 7.0

I already ordered two copies of Windows Home Premium from Amazon this morning. very very excited!

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:48:33 +0000

I like Windows 7 but I’m not impress at the pre-order promotion thing, I feel like I’m being force to buy it right away and that the promotion price should have been the regular price in the first place. so i guess I’m sticking with Vista as main OS. I’m interested to know how well this pre-order promotion does wether it’s successful or fail to draw buyers.