Poll: how did you get the latest version of the OS you're using on your home pc?

[LOUISSSSS]

sorry linux/win7 guys, this question is for Windows Vista/XP users only!!

 

[KeypoX]

I get retail for free, by legal means.

 

[XBoxLPU]

One copy I got for free IIRC through school.

I also got two cd keys with 32 bit and 64 bit Vista Ultimate discs for free for doing that survey a while back but have only used one of those keys.

 

[corkyg]

All my major Microsoft ware comes from my MS TechNet subscription. It is the best way to fly.

 

[lxskllr]

MS's Power Together? program

 

[homercles337]

Most of the operating systems are free to download and activate via VPN and my university affiliations.

 

[mechBgon]

My three current systems have Vista Ultimate from the Microsoft Company Store. So I guess that would be "bought retail," sort of.

 

[zerocool84]

Always bought OEM.

 

[frostedflakes]

Got both XP and Vista free through my school's MSDN AA program, but only tried Vista out, then went back to XP. Will grab Win 7 from MSDN AA as well once it's available, although I have been debating either it or Linux for my next PC.

 

[Stumps]

Purchased OEM, although my original Vista Ultimate retail, but the current version's of Vista that I'm running on my rigs I purchased through my previous work.

 

[bruceb]

On my Dell, it came as XP Home OEM preinstalled back around 2002 or so.
Same for my Toshiba latop. Preinstalled XP Home OEM from around the same time.
Never did get system cds for the laptop as it came from a Cisco class and they
kept the discs, but we kept the laptop. I also now have a copy of Vista Ultimate
coming to me Free thru club.live.com (100% legal and the site is run by Microsoft)

 

[jadinolf]

Four desktops--3 have XP Home Retail upgrade. One was a used computer with XP Home OEM.

Laptop came with Vista.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: corkyg
All my major Microsoft ware comes from my MS TechNet subscription. It is the best way to fly.

Same here. :thumbsup:

 

[NYHoustonman]

MSDNAA... so I guess downloaded and activated legally.

College ftw

 

[SonnyDaze]

Okay I'll be the dickscarf pirate here....I d/l'ed it from torrents.









I kid!! I kid!!

I bought my Vista retail and I'm also dual booting with W7 RC (free of course).

 

[n0cmonkey]

Downloaded from an ftp site. No activation required.

I've gotten non-primary workstation OSes via torrent.

 

[RebateMonger]

n.m.

 

[yinan]

Running Windows 7 so free.

 

[hclarkjr]

you need another option on your poll, i bought my vista here on anandtech in the for sale forum

 

[bluwing]

Hi,

I bought all of mine OEM..

bluwing

 

[Zepper]

A friend of a friend has an XP volume license... [B,S-EG} But I'll be legally DLing a couple of Linux distros to try and once I choose one, it'll be 'hasta la vista' Windwoes...

.bh.

 

[Rottie]

I built my desktop pc and bought windows xp oem. notebook comes with vista home premium preinstalled.

 

[plion]

ms power together program

 

[RebateMonger]

Proof that the crowd at AnandTech doesn't represent the "normal" PC user. The majority of computer users (I've read that it's around 90%) buy their PCs pre-built, with a factory pre-installation of OEM Windows.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
MSDNAA... so I guess downloaded and activated legally.

College ftw