Over the weekend Microsoft delivered a bombshell: Windows 10 is now free for anyone who wants it. In short: anyone who installs the latest Windows 10 beta — build — will be upgraded automatically for free to the full Windows 10 Home retail version when it is released on July 29th.
On the other hand, Windows 10 woke from sleep and hibernation two seconds faster than Windows 8. Windows 7 still boasts better software compatibility than Windows Windows 7 does have some built-in security protections, but you should also have some kind of third-party antivirus software running to avoid malware attacks and other problems — especially since almost all victims of the massive WannaCry ransomware attack were Windows 7 users.
Hackers will likely be going after Apr 5, SeniorCare2Share Care about seniors? Have knowledge? Care to share? Table of Contents. Note that OEM copies of Windows 7 that were installed on PCs by the manufacturer are locked to that device and cannot be transferred.
If the PC on which you want to install Windows 7 originally included a license for any version of Windows, you can buy a Windows 7 upgrade license from any vendor that has the software in stock and install that upgrade on your PC.
You don't need to reinstall the old operating system; if you want to perform a clean install using upgrade media, you can use the workaround I describe in this post : Boot from the upgrade media and do an installation without entering a product key.
Then use the same media to "upgrade" your brand-new installation. Follow the instructions in this post. The most expensive option is to purchase a full retail license for Windows 7. It's guaranteed to work with any PC, with no installation or licensing complications. The problem is finding this software, which Microsoft stopped selling years ago. Most online merchants today offer only OEM copies of Windows 7. All the options I described earlier apply to PCs you plan to use in the home or office.
But if you're a developer, an IT pro, or a student, you might have a completely different set of needs, including a desire to have one or more PCs running Windows 7 for testing purposes. Sadly, Microsoft ended the TechNet subscription service in But there are still useful options available to anyone who needs Windows 7 in a lab or virtual machine.
Windows 7 evaluation versions are also no longer available. MSDN subscription s are specifically intended for professional software developers. An annual subscription gives you access to a wide range of professional developer tools and pre-release products. How long should you wait before deploying Windows 10? You can choose from different levels of MSDN subscriptions. It offers full access to every client and server version of Windows going as far back as Windows 3. For a full list of available packages, see this chart.
The MSDN license agreement is detailed and worth reading in full. There's an excellent summary of your rights as a subscriber here. This paragraph is especially noteworthy:. Many MSDN subscribers use a computer for mixed use--both design, development, testing, and demonstration of your programs the use allowed under the MSDN Subscription license and some other use. Using the software in any other way, such as for doing email, playing games, or editing a document is another use and is not covered by the MSDN Subscription license.
When this happens, the underlying operating system must also be licensed normally by purchasing a regular copy of Windows such as the one that came with a new OEM PC. If you're a professional developer or designer who uses Microsoft products, MSDN subscriptions can be a bargain. If you just want cheap access to Windows 7, you have better options. If you are enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, or math department at an educational institution that subscribes to Microsoft DreamSpark Premium , you can get free software for use in your studies.
It includes server software and development tools but does not include Windows client software. To check your eligibility through these programs, register here using a school-issued email address or a code supplied by an academic institution. I've changed the way I charge my iPhone. You should, too.
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Best keyboard Because you deserve better. Through the Academic Volume Licensing agreements, schools can purchase access to Windows 10 Education for their students, faculty, and staff. Some make it available only on campus machines. Others will grant a license for use on a home machine.
The catch: You have to sign up for at least one course to qualify for campus discounts. Typical options are usually of the physical education or dance variety swim, ballet, jazz, boot camp workouts, etc. In those cases, your main options are the OEM license outlined above or buying through a reseller detailed below.
Note: If you use this method, also keep an eye out for other software deals through your school. But this approach comes with a salt mine of caution. Platforms like eBay and Kinguin allow buyers to purchase product keys from third-party sellers. So they come with risk.
And that has happened to some people. Customer service is often poor for these kinds of sites too, leaving you high and dry. Fans of this method say many people never run into issues, and in fact urge you to find the keys as cheap as possible usually through eBay to minimize problems. You can also buy with a credit card for some added protection.
If you go this route, you should only get Windows 10 Pro keys.
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