I need a legal new copy of Windows 7

[Gwaihir]

Hi,

I have a laptop running Vista Home Premium 32-bit. Now that Micro$oft has discontinued support (and even Mozilla now, also) I'd like to do a clean install of Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (the Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 2GHz processor is a 64-bit device). I don't want to get a newer version of Windows, partly because I can't find any drivers for my laptop hardware beyond W7 and partly because I prefer the classic Windows GUI over Windows 8/8.1 and I won't touch W10 with a bargepole.

A search throws up lots of used copies with genuine product keys that are claimed to be guaranteed to work but I'm a bit sceptical whether the Microsoft servers will let me activate them. Can anyone give me a heads-up on the best way to do this upgrade? I think there are a few genuine brand-new retail copies around from UK sellers but they're still at ridiculous prices and it wouldn't be cost-effective for the life that's left in the laptop or for the remaining support for Windows 7.

Any info gratefully received.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Newegg.com has legal copies of Win 7 Pro.

 

[Gwaihir]

Hi Jeannie, thanks for responding.

Unfortunately it appears that only Newegg in North America offers software. That part of the 'All Products' subsection is missing from the UK and other European webpages. In addition, even allowing for the exchange rate it's questionable whether it's cost-effective as I have heard that support for Windows 7 Professional will end in 2 or 3 years.

I'd be happy buying a used copy if I could be sure that Microsoft will let me activate it on a new platform. I don't know what the procedure is if you want to take it off one computer and install it on another so I'm a bit dubious about the claims made by sellers of used copies.

 

[Megahertz07]

"buying a used copy"?
OEM copy is to be used only in one computer. Once activated on one computer it won't activate in another.
Only retail copies can be transferred. And those copies worth more than those OEM on Newegg.

Beware as most Win7 for sale are pirate.

 

[Gwaihir]

Those are exactly my concerns. A number of the used copies advertised state that the sale includes a "de-commissioned" PC but, as I said, I don't know if there is a legal way to remove Windows from a computer so it can be installed on another.

"OEM copy is to be used only in one computer", that's a given but what if I wanted to upgrade my hardware, uninstall Windows from the old system and install it on the new one? Am I correct in thinking that is not possible?

 

[Megahertz07]

As I wrote, OEM copy is to be used only in one computer. Once activated on one computer it won't activate in another. You can't transfer to another. Only retail copies can be transferred.
If you call M$ and explain that your MB has been replaced in warranty, maybe, they reset the key so it can used on the new MB.

 

[RolandJS]

Altex Electronics also can sell brand new OEM and Retail Windows 7 Professional 32 & 64 bit packages. I purchased two from the Austin TX branch I know they are for real.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Altex Electronics also can sell brand new OEM and Retail Windows 7 Professional. I purchased two from the Austin TX branch I know they are for real.

This the link for Win 7 Pro OEM at Altex's website: https://www.altex.com/AdvancedSearchE.aspx?k=windows+7+pro

NewEgg currently has it on sale for $30 less than Altex: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...416804&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-416-804-_-Product

The only safe, legitimate copy of Win 7 that is available anymore is Win 7 Pro and, until Roland mentioned Altex, the only vendor I would trust for buying Win 7 from was NewEgg. I especially would not trust eBay nor Amazon (Amazon has been known to sell counterfeit products, even from their own stocks). I know it sucks to have to spend so much for a one use product that has less than three years left but it is what it is.

 

[SIW2]

They can only be used on one machine at a time, because you only bought one license. That is why buying is much better than renting/subscribing. It is why you can sell a car you bought, but you can't sell a car you are renting.

"buying a used copy"?
OEM copy is to be used only in one computer. Once activated on one computer it won't activate in another.You can't transfer to another.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

That is not true. It is a common misconception. They can only be used on one machine at a time, because you only bought one license.

That is for retail copies. Strictly speaking OEMs are to be sold to manufacturers only although that rule has been ignored somewhat. They are also intended to be installed on machine and are not intended to be transferable although some users have been able to convince MS to do so under the guise them still using the same machine that had to have the MOBO replaced. However, MS has become increasingly reluctant to allow the transfers lately. Read this from Microsoft on the subject.

 

[SIW2]

https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/cp120094en.pdf

A company called UsedSoft sells a lot of used licenses to goverment bodies, police departments, etc. I believe they also have offices in India and possibly elsewhere.

It shouldn't be hard to understand. If you buy a car, you can sell the tyres or battery if you wish.

Software is not somehow magically different. It is a product you buy.

 

[RolandJS]

I thought we end-users purchase licenses, the rights to use the software, we actually never do buy the software itself; do I understand incorrectly?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2012-07/cp120094en.pdf



It not up to MS to "allow". They are not allowed to oppose it. Tying software to hardware is restrictive practice. Used software is widely available in Europe. For example, a very successful company called UsedSoft sells a lot of used licenses to goverment bodies, police departments, etc. I believe they also have offices in India and possibly elsewhere.

It shouldn't be hard to understand. If you buy a car, you can sell the tyres or battery if you wish. It is no use the tyre manufacturer writing something on a piece of paper to try and stop you.

Software is not somehow magically different. It is a product you buy. When you have bought it, the right of distribution passes to you.

That is what buying means.

It is why it is better to buy than to rent. . Now you know why MS and others are so keen for you to rent.They call it "subscribe" because renting has bad connotations

In the U.S., software is not a product you buy; you are only paying for the license. You merely pay for a license to use the software. In the EU, legally, software is considered a product and the seller loses control of the product when the first owner sells it. However, in real life, that isn't always true. According to the EULA, MS is not obligated to reactivate the license of an OEM and has been increasingly refusing to do so when people try to move an OEM OS from one MOBO to another. There is also the issue of, when you install and activate an OEM MS OS, you agree to MS' EULA which prohibits transferring an OEM. Even though the EU ruling supersedes that, good luck getting MS to go along with it. The EU ruling also may have something to do with why you can easily buy Win 7 Pro OEM in the US but not so easily anymore, if at all, in Europe.

 

[Layback Bear]

My understanding.
One only pays for the right to use Windows according to the EULA. No one owns Windows except Microsoft. If one sell their copy of Windows the EULA agreement goes with it.

This is a better explanation.

Windows License Types Explained

BUT

Their might be some nations that have laws that state different and the EULA may be different in those nations.

I think Windows 7 is cheap for what you get. I paid $140.00 for my copies of Windows 7 Pro and they are well worth it.
I have thousands invested in hardware that would be useless without a a good operating system to make it all work proper together.

Jack

 

[SIW2]

In real life MS abides by the law, irrespective of your imaginings.

In the U.S., software is not a product you buy; you are only paying for the license. You merely pay for a license to use the software. In the EU, legally, software is considered a product and the seller loses control of the product when the first owner sells it. However, in real life, that isn't always true. According to the EULA, MS is not obligated to reactivate the license of an OEM and has been increasingly refusing to do so when people try to move an OEM OS from one MOBO to another. There is also the issue of, when you install and activate an OEM MS OS, you agree to MS' EULA which prohibits transferring an OEM. Even though the EU ruling supersedes that, good luck getting MS to go along with it. The EU ruling also may have something to do with why you can easily buy Win 7 Pro OEM in the US but not so easily anymore, if at all, in Europe.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

It is not up to MS.

Tell MS that. Maybe they will listen to you.

 

[Layback Bear]

It could be very simple to me.
If one doesn't like Microsoft's EULA then find another brand of operating system to use.
Know one make one pay for Microsoft's operating systems or use them.

Jack

 

[SIW2]

Jack,
Thanks for your comment

 

[SIW2]

MS abide by the law, not by what I tell them, or what you imagine.

Tell MS that. Maybe they will listen to you.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

MS abide by the law, not by what I tell them, or what you imagine.

You keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, here on Earth...