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Seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)

By Ed Bott | November 6, 2009, 6:21am PST

Summary

Only suckers pay retail. You don’t have to pay full price for Windows 7. Most people have much better options available, if you just know where to look. I’ve researched deals in three separate categories: upgrade offers available to anyone, special deals just for students, and subscriptions intended for technical professionals and developers. Want to save 58%, 70%, 85%, or even get Windows 7 free? Keep reading.

Topics

Microsoft Developer Network, License, PC, Student, Microsoft Corp., Subscription, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Ed Bott

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Ed Bott

Biography

Ed Bott

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He's served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books on Microsoft Windows and Office, including the recently released Windows 7 Inside Out.

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Only suckers pay retail.

If you’ve read any reviews of Windows 7, you’ve seen references to its price list, which ranges from $120 for a Home Premium upgrade to $320 for a fully licensed copy of Windows 7 Ultimate.

Well, guess what? You don’t have to pay that much. Most people have much better options available, if you know where to look. As I’ve detailed here, the best deals go to PC manufacturers, which you benefit from if you buy a new PC.

But there are plenty of other discounts available as well. In this post, I’ve researched deals in three separate categories: upgrade offers available to anyone, special deals just for students, and subscriptions intended for technical professionals and developers.

Most of the details I include here apply to Windows customers in the United States, but some offers are also available in other countries. Where possible, I have tried to track down those details and include the names of countries where equivalent offers exist. If you live outside the U.S., follow these links to find prices and terms for your country.

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 you’re not entitled to. If there are restrictions for a specific offer, I’ve noted them here.

[Update 6-Nov 1:00PM PST: Several people in the comments have asked why I didn't iunclude the Microsoft Action Pack in this post. Two reasons: First, it is available only to bona fide system builders, and that's a fairly small group of people. Second, and more importantly, the licenses it includes expire and must be decommissioned if you fail to renew your MAP agreement each year. Every other example I have here includes Windows licenses that are good in perpetuity. I will cover System Builder pricing and licensing in more detail next week. Stay tuned.]

Ready to get started? Pick a category and go.

Page 2: Upgrade offers You can save as much as 58% off the regular cost of a Windows 7 upgrade if you know how to buy smart. I’ve found three options.

Page 3: Special deals for students If you’re enrolled in a college or university, even taking a single course at your local community college, you can get Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional for $30. Students in technical or design majors can get Windows 7 (and many other Microsoft programs) for free if their university or college is signed up for the right programs.

Page 4: Windows (and much more) by subscriptions Are you an IT pro, a Windows enthusiast, or a professional developer? For a surprisingly low annual fee, you can get access to a staggering amount of Microsoft software, including every version of Windows or Office. There are some restrictions, so be sure to read the details carefully.

Next page: Easy (and cheap) upgrades –>

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications.

Disclosure

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is a freelance technical journalist and book author. All work that Ed does is on a contractual basis.

Since 1994, Ed has written more than 25 books about Microsoft Windows and Office. Along with various co-authors, Ed is completely responsible for the content of the books he writes. As a key part of his contractual relationship with publishers, he gives them permission to print and distribute the content he writes and to pay him a royalty based on the actual sales of those books. Ed's books are currently distributed by Que Publishing (a division of Pearson Education) and by Microsoft Press.

On occasion, Ed accepts consulting assignments. In recent years, he has worked as an expert witness in cases where his experience and knowledge of Microsoft and Microsoft Windows have been useful. In each such case, his compensation is on an hourly basis, and he is hired as a witness, not an advocate.

Ed does not own stock or have any other financial interest in Microsoft or any other software company. He owns 500 shares of stock in EMC Corporation, which was purchased before the company's acquisition of VMWare. In addition, he owns 350 shares of stock in Intel Corporation, purchased more than two years ago. All stocks are held in retirement accounts for long-term growth.

Ed does not accept gifts from companies he covers. All hardware products he writes about are purchased with his own funds or are review units covered under formal loan agreements and are returned after the review is complete.

Biography

Ed Bott

Ed Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. He's served as editor of the U.S. edition of PC Computing and managing editor of PC World; both publications had monthly paid circulation in excess of 1 million during his tenure. He is the author of more than 25 books on Microsoft Windows and Office, including the recently released Windows 7 Inside Out.

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Talkback Most Recent of 424 Talkback(s)

  • RE: Seven perfectly legal ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free)
    Great post, Ed! Seeing how you outlined the cheapest way to get Microsoft Windows 7 there should be no reason why anyone would not want to upgrade now. Price is no longer an issue. This would be an excellent opportunity for everyone to try out Microsoft's lastest Windows 7 and see the advantages it has. People are going to be pleasantly surprised when they do. This is THE OS to have!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Loverock Davidson
    11/06/2009 07:01 AM
  • The same old bait and switch
    I bought in to the Vista hype, and it cost me $150 for an upgrade from XP PRO...I finally get the thing working after 3 months and hours of work...then the bomb goes off...Buy Windows 7...wesold you crap..too bad, now give us another $150..Oh we apologize for the 150 hours of free labor. Trust me...Why?...Millions of copies of Vista Home Premium were sold..add the profits up..scam scam..scam. and now.we owners get what we were promised, only if we spend another $150. The Lemon Law used for junk cars should apply so we faithful that trusted Microsoft..again should get Windows 7 as a free update to pay for our pain and suffering.Shame on Microsoft.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    rizlin608@...
    11/06/2009 08:12 AM
  • you havent tried it yet.
    I was skeptical too. but i really like it. i downloaded the rc for free on the Microsoft website a few months ago.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    pcguy777
    11/06/2009 08:19 AM
  • DItto... W7 is a great OS
    Granted, it is not OSX. But it has been fantastic so far. It is the first MS OS that I have been really happy with since... well I cannot remember.

    Fast, Stable, mature. easy to use and "gasp" dare I say elegant.

    XP Mode is GREAT... It is like getting a free XP box... And I have my Ubuntu desktop and Centos server running as VM's.

    And I got Ultimate for free by "hosting" an house party...

    What is there not to like?

    Flame on garth!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Duke E. Love
    11/07/2009 10:09 PM
  • I cannot see a single compelling reason for a home user to use Linux
    Except that it is "free".

    It does not run most software. The alternative software is mostly built by hobbyists or developers on their free time. That is all well and fine.

    It is like making beer in a lot of ways. You can make a decent batch of home brew but it always tastes like home brew. It is the rare home brewer that has has mastered the craft and can kick out a good hand crafted beer. And that is even touch and go. After a while you take a break from the home brew and buy some of that "inferior" store bought beer and you realize that the store bought beer (even Bud) was made by professionals and it shows. Then you try a really good beer (no names as preferences differ even amongst aficionados) and you are damn... that is a *great* beer. And you really appreciate it because you know what it takes to make a "decent" home brew beer and you appreciate and honor a master of the craft.

    After that, you really don't have a problem paying a premium for good beer. It is after all premium beer. The same holds true for software.

    It doesn't mater what OS software runs under or even if it is an OS. That is all a matter of preference based on ones needs an personal preferences.

    IF it is worth paying for people will willing part with their money and be happy about it.

    So when you freetards can't even give away an obviously great beer for free, I think "what a bunch of farkin idiots'.

    My work is done here,
    Duke
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Duke E. Love
    11/08/2009 08:18 PM
  • Linux works for me - for some things
    I loaded a copy of Ubuntu linux on a Windows PC (dual boot) and asked my kids (14 & 12) to try it out. The report - better than Windows for the internet but it can't run their school software. I agree that it's nice for some things.

    So you are right that it doesn't completely replace Windows. But we have found the silly Facebook games play much faster and smoother on it. Everything it does we like better. Too bad more software does not run on it.

    Oh and it installed hassle-free. I just downloaded and ran a windows installer program and it created a dual-boot system for me. If I decide I don't like it I can un-install it from within windows. Very slick.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    kmerge
    11/09/2009 11:49 AM
  • I agree - I really like Linux. But why bother?
    I have been using Linux since 98 or so. I did nothing but LAMP development for a couple of years. But as a desktop I could never get it to run the apps I needed to be productive. Given my hourly billable rate, spending more than an hour or two trying to get something to work on Linux that runs fine on Windows is a waste of money.

    I can run what ever distro I need as a VM. I have been running my nix dev box as a VM for years. Besides, if you by a new PC windows is essentially free anyways.

    So why bother?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Duke E. Love
    11/09/2009 07:30 PM
  • WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
    Once again we have someone who cannot grasp the concept of what this article was about. There is no reason to bring up Linux in this post, unless you are a common troll. Please in the future try to read the article and keep your comments to that realm. If this is not possible for you please, I am begging you, go join a chat room where you and the other trolls can discuss what ever you want.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    rnlightle
    11/13/2009 10:22 AM
  • 2 Reasons
    Well, 3 actually.

    1. As you said, it's free. That's becoming important these days with the real unemployment rate at around 17%.

    2. To re-use old hardware. For basic activities (e.g. web surfing, office apps, email, even some light graphics work) my 11 year old PowerBook works just fine.

    3. For the fun of it. Same reason I'm working on putting a realistic custom flame job on my Compaq PIII.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    OpEdMunkey
    11/15/2009 05:45 PM
  • Problem was not with Windows
    The problem is not with Windows but your lack of understanding of how to install it. I can't figure out why you didn't contact your OEM or Microsoft's technical support to resolve the issue after the first 24 hours but instead waiting 3 months before getting anything done.

    The $150 was a well spent upgrade from XP to Vista, and the next $150 will be a well spent upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. I don't understand what the problem is for paying for a product. No one else had any pain and suffering installing Windows, it was only you, so the problem is obviously on your end and you are now no longer entitled to a free upgrade.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Loverock Davidson
    11/06/2009 08:33 AM
    • Flagged
  • Yes lack of understanding is the root of many complaints
    Just looking at your posts on various topics makes this very clear. And the lack of support from other posters also shows the truth in your comment "it was only you, so the problem is obviously on your end".

    Wow, you provided the perfect response to all of your own posts when criticizing non-MS products.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Viva la crank dodo
    11/06/2009 08:51 AM
  • This time it's going to be different - trust me. LD are you "PC" in the ad

    Lovecrock Davidson has *got* to be PC in the Mac ads.

    It's not going to have any of the problems XP had, it's not going to have any of the problems Vista had -

    Trust me..
    ZDNet Gravatar
    fireman949
    11/06/2009 09:03 AM
  • PC guy is more rational
    he can at least admit past mistakes.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Viva la crank dodo
    11/06/2009 09:36 AM
  • PC Guy Rational?? HUH?
    PC Guy onyl rants on past failures in defense to beautify the current OS, but he fails to express and support them. NOt a suprise being that the OS of the Add is marketing, but hey the point isn't about how the failures happen in the adds guy, it is how MS has continually released an OS with the same problems over and over and over agian, and never really doing much about it. I say this with the exclusion of the viruses, as MAC wasn't a huge target becuase well everyone used windows. This Fact has changed in the last few years. MAC has always had worse viruses then Windwos True, but the odds of getting one wasn't that likely. Today though that Truth is diminishing fast. HEy If I had the 3-4G's to spend on a PC at one time then I wouldn't be a PC guy, I'd be MAC Guy and PC Guy for both worlds.

    Nuff babbling, your point is smashed, PC guy isn't admitting to the faults of the past, he is bringing them to light to make MAC better, just like PC always has!!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Ez_Customs
    11/06/2009 10:55 PM
  • This time it's going to be different - trust me. LD are you "PC" in the ad
    yes it is going to have it's totally new problems which no any previous Microsoft program had except a few it was not finished before it was sold, it does not work as promised...should I continue?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    alex@...
    11/06/2009 09:49 AM
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