**Futureproofing** - Last Date to Buy Win 7 License from Microsoft?

[colonelciller]

Anyone know when the last date that Microsoft is going to be selling Windows 7 Licenses from the Microsoft website?

I'll be trying to use the $49 Windows 8 pre-order license to activate an upgrade from Vista --> Windows 7* but I don't want to blow it and get stuck with vista on one of my machines. If there won't be a sales overlap window I'll be a little hesitant to try the upgrade... & if I need to pay full price for Win 7 now I'll do it.

I plan on buying a couple of extra Win 7 licenses for upcoming builds as well.
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*I remember anandtech saying this would be possible --> link

"On that note, for those of you still on Windows XP, the fact that Microsoft is offering Windows 8 Pro as opposed to Windows 8 (consumer) should be of particular interest. Windows 8 Pro comes with downgrade rights, which allow the owner to legally install older versions of Windows. So for those of you needing to upgrade from XP but still wanting to hang back with Windows 7, this is a de-facto $40 Windows 7 Professional upgrade too."

 

[kurt454]

I'd get the 3 license Win 7 family pack from Amazon. It's currently back up to $141.99 but I saw it dip below a $100 a few months back - I should have bought it then. It still works out to less than fifty bucks per installed license even at its current price.

 

[colonelciller]

Thanks for that tip Kurt... it's a great deal.

 

[stevech]

why would a desktop user even think about changing to Windows 8 in 2012/13,14?
Curiosity? Use a free demo.

Masochist? Well.

 

[ShreddedWheat]

I bought a 3 license for win 7 about 2 months ago for $ 79.99 Also bought new laptop early about 3 months ago as I don't want to have to deal with Win8. Crazy what a poor upcoming OS will make people do.

 

[dguy6789]

The Windows 8 hate is borderline religious in how baseless most of it is

 

[colonelciller]

The Windows 8 hate is borderline religious in how baseless most of it is

keep telling yourself that

 

[colonelciller]

I bought a 3 license for win 7 about 2 months ago for $ 79.99 Also bought new laptop early about 3 months ago as I don't want to have to deal with Win8. Crazy what a poor upcoming OS will make people do.

agreed
i know several people purchasing new computers ahead of schedule in order to have win7 included.

 

[ShreddedWheat]

I did try the preview release and tried to give it a fair try but couldn't stand it for my main OS. For a tablet it would be awesome! Hope to maybe get an oem copy win 7 just in case.

 

[Dessert Tears]

*I remember anandtech saying this would be possible --> link

"On that note, for those of you still on Windows XP, the fact that Microsoft is offering Windows 8 Pro as opposed to Windows 8 (consumer) should be of particular interest. Windows 8 Pro comes with downgrade rights, which allow the owner to legally install older versions of Windows. So for those of you needing to upgrade from XP but still wanting to hang back with Windows 7, this is a de-facto $40 Windows 7 Professional upgrade too."

This is incorrect, only OEM copies have downgrade rights. Retail licenses, including upgrades, do not. [thread=2267973]This thread[/thread] has a discussion.

 

[chucky2]

Just bought a Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Family Pack from DiscountMountainSoftware, $117 shipped, for this very reason.