Windows 7 Dell Oem Pre' title='Windows 7 Dell Oem Pre' />Perfectly legal ways you can still get Windows 7 cheap or even freeUpdated November 2. One of the most popular posts I have ever published at ZDNet was this one, originally titled Seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap or even free. I wrote it in late 2. If you had followed my advice, you could have saved hundreds of dollars on upgrades and special deals for students and IT pros. Six years later, Windows 7 is in the rear view mirror. Most of the deals listed in those original posts are no longer available. But it is indeed still possible to find great deals on PCs running Windows 7, if you know where to look. Its also possible to tweak and tune newer Windows versions so that they are functionally equivalent to Windows 7. In that spirit, Ive completely reworked this post with information that reflects the current PC market. Last updated November 2. Windows 7 is officially middle aged. It was publicly released more than six years ago, on October 2. With each passing day it is getting further and further from the midpoint of Microsofts 1. Windows releases. In January 2. 01. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 7, and the five year extended support phase began. In January 2. 02. Windows 7 support lifecycle will officially end. But four years is a long, long time, and if you prefer the familiar environment of Windows 7 over its successors, you still have lots of options available. If you navigate your way through the confusing maze of Windows licensing rules, youll find that the best deals go to PC manufacturers, which means youll find the best new and refurbished PCs with Windows 7 preinstalled and ready to run. Mix In Key Pc on this page. Windows 7 Dell Oem Pre' title='Windows 7 Dell Oem Pre' />It seems like Microsoft is hitting the nail with Windows only every other version. Windows 7 was one of them. Thing is, Microsoft doesnt sell Windows 7 anymore. Here. Note This operating system may be installed over previous versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista by completing a clean installation, or Windows 7, and Windows 8. Windows 7 Dell Oem Pre' title='Windows 7 Dell Oem Pre' />If you just need the software, you can still buy Windows 7 software in shrink wrapped retail and OEM packages, sometimes at prices that are literally too good to be true. If youre an IT pro or developer who needs Windows 7 for testing, you also have subscription options, although theyre less of a deal than they were six years ago. For students, the best options come with newer versions of Windows. Most of the details I include in this post apply to Windows customers in the United States, but you should be able to find similar offers in other countries. My goal in this post is to point you to deals that customers legitimately qualify for. I am not trying to encourage attempts by anyone to get away with something youre not entitled to. If there are restrictions for a specific offer, Ive noted them here. Ready to get started Pick a category and go. Old software on new PCs By far the best way to buy Windows 7 today, six years into its lifecycle, is to purchase it preinstalled on a new PC. You get a warranty and, more importantly, you get the OEMs assurance that the hardware and software were designed to work together. This option also spares you from the pain of Windows setup, especially the hassles of hunting down essential drivers and system specific updates when you upgrade or downgrade a PC. New brand name PCs with Windows 7 preinstalled Yes, big name PC makers can still install Windows 7 on new PCs. Theres a catch, though As of October 3. PCs they offer must include the more expensive Windows 7 Professional. Machines that were manufactured before that date with Windows 7 Home Premium can still be sold. Normally, the sales lifecycle for PCs with Windows 7 preinstalled would have ended long ago, but Microsoft extended that deadline in February 2. PC manufacturers will no longer be able to sell new PCs with Windows 7 Pro as of October 3. For details, see What the Windows 7 Pro sales lifecycle changes mean to consumers and business buyers. The trick in shopping for these machines is to skip the front door and go straight for the business section. Among online merchants, for example, Dell offers filters to show all available desktops and all in ones and laptops running Windows 7. HP has separate pages for business desktops and laptops, but you have to look at each model to find the models with Windows 7 available. Big online retailers that serve business markets should have similar selections covering a wide range of brands and the full spectrum of prices. Used and refurbished PCs with Windows 7 preinstalled There are plenty of sites where you can find factory reconditioned PCs for sale at legitimately low prices. Amazon owned Woot, for example, always has lots of choices in its Computers section, although youll have to dig into the specs to confirm that the operating system youre looking for is included. Other online sellers with similarly extensive selections include the following Tiger Direct offers off lease Windows 7 PCs for as little as 1. Newegg has an enormous selection of refurbished PCs as well. Many are too old to recommend except for diehard bargain hunters, but if you know what youre looking for you can find perfectly good hardware that costs less than youd pay for a retail copy of the Windows 7 version it includes. Staples has a similar selection in its online store. I dont recommend taking a chance with random sellers on e. Civcity Rome Game here. Bay or Craigslist not when there are so many well established merchants that offer proper warranties and return policies, as well as an assurance that the underlying Windows license is legitimate. OEM Windows software for new or refurbished PCs Under Microsofts arcane licensing rules, you can legitimately purchase OEM copies of Windows 7 any edition. However, the license agreement with those copies explicitly prohibits you from using that software on a PC you build or refurbish for your own personal use. Crazy, huh 2. 01. The Years Best Tech for Work and Play. ZDNet takes a look back at very best tech stories and features of 2. From the years tech turkeys to products and services that get business done, we round up top gadgets, cloud highs, security lows and much more. Read More You can find OEM System Builder software from dozens of online merchants. The current price for OEM Windows 7 Professional at Newegg, for example, is 1. When I checked a few minutes ago, Amazon was offering OEM Windows 7 Professional packages from multiple sellers at prices ranging from 1. When I checked just now, a package specifically intended for refurbished PCs cost only 5. There are no technical limitations to prevent you from using OEM software on your own PC, although this software will work only for a clean installation and not for an upgrade. In the past, Microsoft has been remarkably inconsistent in its advice to customers about whether this practice is allowed. See Is it OK to use OEM Windows on your own PC Dont ask Microsoft. To make the subject even more confusing, Microsoft briefly changed its licensing rules with Windows 8, adding a Personal Use Rights clause that allowed individuals to buy OEM Windows and install it on personal PCs. That change lasted exactly one year with the launch of Windows 8. Microsoft restored the old licensing terms. The bottom line Yes, you can install an OEM copy of Windows 7 on a PC for your own personal use I recommend that you avoid doing so for your business, however, especially if you have a licensing agreement with Microsoft. Upgrade and downgrade options Most of the readily available options for new PCs include the latest version of Windows thats Windows 1. Windows 8. 1 PCs still on retail and online shelves.