Windows 7 - the best way to get a copy, which version for DAW, W10 upgrade, etc

Hi all

I've been having problems with my WinXP PC and have decided it's time to move into the modern age Well, modern-ish....

As I understand it, until the end of the month it is still possible to get a Windows 10 FREE upgrade (via accessibility), so I need to move quick! My plan is to install W7, get the W10 upgrade, then compare the two. If I decide to roll back stick with W7, at least I'll have a copy of W10 waiting for me in the future. So here's what I'm hoping to find out:

1. Which is the best W7 for a DAW?
2. What is the best way (and cheapest preferably) of getting W7? Should I be looking at OEM, retail, etc?
3. Will the OS be tied to my system/HD, and if so is there a way to prevent this? As part of my PC shake up, I'm considering buying an SSD for the OS, but this will need to be done later down the line. I don't want to find out then that the OS is tied to the HD it was first installed on.
4. Will the Win7 version I get determine which Win10 version I can access for free?

Any help with these questions would be most appreciated, as well as anything else I might have overlooked.

Huge thanks

Max

 

If you get OEM, it is tied to the system and is not, under any circumstances, legally transferable to a new computer/motherboard. So you need to get full retail if planning on transferring to a new computer (or new motherboard). Only full retail licenses can legally be transferred, as long as it is only used for one installation at a time.

Licenses are not tied to a drive. They are tied to the computer and for licensing purposes, that is generally considered the motherboard. This is why it generally NOT legal to move a "boot" drive (with OEM license installed) from one computer into the boot drive position on another computer.

Note, being technically possible does not make it legal. When you first use Windows, you agree to abide by the Terms of Use or End User License Agreement (EULA). That makes it legally binding.

The Windows 10 installer will inspect your Windows 7 and install the appropriate version. So if you have 32-bit W7 Home, it will install 32-bit Windows 10 Home.

To make sure I am on the same page here, are you buying new hardware? I hope so. If not, before doing anything you MUST ensure the makers of all your current hardware have developed and made available Windows 7 drivers. If not, don't upgrade. And for sure, don't plan on upgrading to W10 if no W10 drivers are available. See Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

Also, you need to currently be using special assistive technologies to be eligible for this free upgrade. These are technologies for people with disabilities who otherwise would have difficulties performing computing and Windows tasks. You have to certify on the download page you use assistive technologies.

Without making any suggestions or accusations, or passing any judgement, making such claims if not true is fraud and a criminal offense.

 

Hi OneXP2Go, Welcome to WindowsBBS. Bill has filled you in with the main news but if you are running XP on a comp - will the comp come up to W10 requirements.

You have not shown any System Details so our advice will be of little use if your comp can't handle the W10 needs.

My advice is to bite the bullet and move into 2017/18 Technology rather than get left behind.
Are you planning on replacing your comp? There are still some deals on offer with W7 OS installed which would be suitable for the upgrade, but they are rare.

There are some comps around with W8/8.1 which should handle W10 requirements.
I would make the move to 64bit with any OS you decide to purchase and use as your Digital Audio Workstation.
You need to consider also that MS support for their earlier OS's will be a future problem.
Please include your System Details in future as it helps us to better help you. Thanks

P.S. I see Christer has already covered a lot of our advice in your other Thread..

 

Hi

Off to bed in a moment, so a more thorough response will have to wait until tomorrow...

But first wanted to say many thanks for the help.

Secondly, I've added my PC details to my profile/signature.

Thirdly, I am on a tight budget and just found this:

Windows 7 profesional 2x xd boxed with manual and key!can deliver or post! | in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire | Gumtree

Granted that no-one can tell me if all is well with it and the seller, but can anyone say:

1. Whether there are fake retail Windows 7 packages that look that good?
2. What would happen if this was already installed on another computer and I tried to install it?
3. Is it a good price?
4. Anything else I need to consider?

Many thanks and see you in the morning!

 

You link doesn't work. Did you copy the URL and use the 7th. from the left symbol above to Paste the link?

 

This looks like a pretty good deal Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Sp1 Full Version & License COA Product Key on DVD | eBay

 

Hi all

Big apologies for the delay in coming back to this...

I'm thinking of forgetting about Win10 for now... From what I understand, if I upgrade to Win10 the upgrade will be tied to my PC/motherboard, and I don't think my current specs would be anywhere near ideal. I've read up on the MOBO, CPU, GPU and soundcard, and all these components get mixed anecdotal reports as to whether they work in Win10 or not. Even if by some lucky chance I DID get them all to play nicely, I'm guessing that Win10 will be more resource hungry than 7, and will therefore leave less oomph for the audio I want to use the PC for. (Oh, and btw - I have added my PC details now so they are just an avatar click away).

I have found workthroughs on the net on how to get the Win10 upgrade (via Accessibility), roll back to Win7, but keep the upgrade open for future reference . As I understand it, you don't get a license, but rather a digital entitlement. This is then kept on MS databases and put with the details of your hardware so that when you go to install Win10 in the future it "recognises" you and authorises the installation. Is that correct, or have I misunderstood something? Furthermore, if I've got it right, if you try to use the upgrade on a new PC it won't allow you to as your HW will no longer match the HW you had when you made the upgrade.

With regards to disabilities, breaking the law, etc. from what I have read that is not strictly speaking the case. I'm no expert, but everything I have read thus far says that all MS require of you is that you use one or some of the Accessibility/assistive technologies features. And that can be something as simple as keyboard shortcuts!

I guess this might all be moot now as I very much doubt I'll be interested in Win10 on this PC. And the "license/entitlement" isn't cross transferable anyhow if I have understood correctly. But still interesting nonetheless.

Sorry about the Gumtree links not working and the advert disappearing... The chap went on holiday and isn't back until the new year. When he's back, if I can get hold of the license key from the seller, would I be able to use that to find out what the status of the license is? If so, how would I go about it?

More generally on that note, what has to be done for a Retail copy of Windows to be made available for installation on a new computer? If a computer breaks down and is not repaired, and the Windows (Retail) installation was never “de-activated”, how can it then be installed on a new computer?

As for other ways of getting Win7, OEM/Retails etc, I'll return to that later so as not to make this mammoth post mega-mammoth!

Thanks for all the help

Max

 

You are really talking apples and oranges here. First, the "license" is tied to the motherboard/computer IF you are upgrading from an OEM license since the original license is tied to the computer. Second, the license has nothing to do with specs or compatibility. That's a separate issue.

But do note if you purchase a legal full "retail" copy of Windows 10, there are no restrictions. You can use that license over and over again through multiple "upgrades". You can even transfer that license to a new computer - as long as you remove it from the old computer (as it can only be used with one computer at a time).

Did you follow the link I provided above? You accept the offer to upgrade by stating you use assistive technologies. It further refers you to their blog for more information. The blog specifically notes assistive technologies are to help "people with disabilities". Obtaining products or services through false pretenses is fraud - a serious criminal (and moral) offense.

So just as able-bodied people park in handicap parking spots because they know they can likely get away with it, that does not make it right. It too is fraud. The difference here with this Windows 10 offer is it is not likely someone will report you.

IMO, Microsoft is trying to avoid putting truly disabled people through the humiliating process of presenting proof they are disabled. They are hoping users will not try to cheat the process and use the honor system instead. I applaud Microsoft's sensitivities for this.

Considering a brand new, legal "full retail" license of Windows 10 Home can be had for just $110 (XP Home "retail" cost $199 in 2001!), I would hope users comply with the honor system too. Especially since there are very capable "free" Linux alternatives they can use in the meantime.

Let your conscious be your guide but I would urge users to do the right thing. If you have true disabilities and need to use assistive technologies to make your computing tasks easier, then by all means, take advantage of this generous offering.

 

@Christer - It's a full Retail version that he is selling. Here's a link to the ended ad:

Windows 7 profesional 2x xd boxed with manual and key!can deliver or post! | in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire | Gumtree

There were several more photos when the ad was live. He seems to deal in all kinds of stuff. There was the odd other bit of computer gear, but loads of car stuff, tools, etc. His answers aren't very clear, but I think that's more to do with the fact that he does not know much about it, and does not write very clearly. He's quite concise too! So that's what led me to try to find out here on the forum how I can tell whether a) What he has is genuine, and b) Whether the key is currently active on another computer or not. I feel reasonably sure it is genuine. b) I ain't so sure about...

There's a whole host of options on eBay, many of which leave me scratching my head. I've got to run now, but when I return I'll post up a few and would be grateful and interested to hear people's views on them. Watch this space

I get that, and I think it was more a case of me not explaining myself properly rather than getting my fruit mixed up The bit that I was unclear about (and remain so) is what would happen if you upgrade from a Retail version of Win7. From the reading I've done, no matter what version of Win7/8 you upgrade from - be it OEM or Retail - you still end up with a Win10 installation which has a digital entitlement rather than a license key, and this digital entitlement is tied to the computer the upgrade was done on (or the motherboard) and is therefore not possible to install on a new/different computer/motherboard in the future. Have I misunderstood that then?

The reason I bought up specs is because... If my assumptions above are correct, then my Win10 upgrade will have a digital entitlement to be used on my current PC. And it won't be transferable to another PC. So if my current PC is not up to the task of running Win10, there'd be no point in me getting the upgrade for future reference.

It all hinges on the transferability of the Win10 Upgrade digital entitlement I gues.

I did follow the link and did not see a link to the blog. I most likely missed it, but tbh I still can't see it now! However, I have read it from the link you gave above. In both that and the upgrade page, I still fail to see where it says that in order to upgrade you must have a disability. On the contrary, I think they make it quite clear on both links that it is for any users of the technologies:

"Customers who use assistive technologies can upgrade"
"If you use assistive technologies, you can upgrade..."
"...experience for people who use these technologies."
"Yes, I use assistive technologies and I am ready for my upgrade to Windows 10."
"We are not restricting the upgrade offer to specific assistive technologies. If you use assistive technology on Windows, you are eligible for the upgrade offer."
"Windows 10 free upgrade page for people who use assistive technologies"
"we want to remind customers who use assistive technologies that the deadline will not apply to you"
"to help customers who use assistive technologies"

There's only one mention of disabilities, and it is more "in passing" than anything else. It certainly doesn't even hint that the upgrade is only for those with disabilities; especially when stacked against all of the above:

"With more than a billion people with disabilities in the world..."

I totally concur regarding disabled parking spaces. I work with people with mental and physical health issues and come across this all the time. Very frustrating. But I don't think it is a fair comparison. Disabled parking spaces are limited, and therefore when taken by someone without a disability it leaves less available to those who do have a need/entitlement. The Windows Upgrade is not limited in number. Plus, those spaces are closer to the building, have more space for getting in and out, etc. The Windows Upgrade as far as I'm aware is not different for people with disabilities.

Please don't think I am trying start an argument here. I appreciate the help you and everyone else have given me. I really do. I won't be upgrading to Win10 anyhow, not least of all because the offer expires tomorrow and I haven't even upgraded to Win7 yet! I just really couldn't see where this whole thing about having to have a disability comes from...

 

Perhaps you're right Christer. With a million and one questions and uncertainties swimming in my head regarding my Win7 migration, "going off on one" regarding a moot point isn't really necessary! My apologies

 

A couple responses then I will step away too. FTR, I am not trying to argue either. Or to shame or apply guilt. It is not my place to judge.

I am just trying to make sure you (and others who may read this thread) understand your rights and legal obligations. And it is important to note we all agreed to abide by the EULAs of these programs when we decided to keep using them. That makes compliance legally binding.

The upgraded Windows 10 carries the same rights as the "base qualifying license". So if you upgrade from OEM Windows 7, you have a OEM Windows 10 license. If you upgrade from a Retail Windows 7, you have a Retail Windows 10.

I am not going to keep going around in circles about assitive technologies. If the free upgrade was for everyone, Microsoft would just say so. But as seen in that blog and in this Assistive Technology Products for Windows article (my bold added),

So the "intent" is clear. The assitive technologies program is to assist those with disabilities. The upgrade offer is, therefore, for those with disabilities. I am sure you can find more loopholes in the verbiage if you look. But as I said, let your conscience be your guide. You know assitive technologies were created for those with disabilities - not for able-bodied people who just decide to use those features.

And again, W10 is not prohibitively expensive. But more importantly, there are free Linux alternatives.

One last thing. Don't forget that Windows 7 is already coming up on 9 years old! Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended 3 years ago! Extended support will continue for another 2 years, but that does not mean W7 is, or will remain a secure operating system. That is not just a Microsoft issue either. More and more software developers and hardware makers are, and will continue to cease support for W7. So, IMO, you really should be looking at upgrading, even if that means buying a genuine license of W10 or switching to a modern version of Linux, and/or upgrading to new hardware that has W10 drivers.