Can You Still Buy A New Computer With Windows 7 PORTABLE
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 you're an IT pro or developer who needs Windows 7 for testing, you also have subscription options, although they're less of a deal than they were six years ago. For students, the best options come with newer versions of Windows.
can you still buy a new computer with windows 7
Yes, big-name PC makers can still install Windows 7 on new PCs. There's a catch, though: As of October 31, 2014, any new 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.
Many MSDN subscribers use a computer for mixed use--both design, development, testing, and demonstration of your programs (the use allowed under the MSDN Subscription license) and some other use. Using the software in any other way, such as for doing email, playing games, or editing a document is another use and is not covered by the MSDN Subscription license. When this happens, the underlying operating system must also be licensed normally by purchasing a regular copy of Windows such as the one that came with a new OEM PC.
While you could continue to use a PC running Windows 8.1, without continued software and security updates, your PC will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. We recommend upgrading to a version of Windows that is still supported. A new device that can run Windows 11 makes for an easy transition and a great experience.
Installing Windows 10 on your current PC - Windows 10 is still available and will be supported until October 14, 2025. You can check if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10. If it does, you can purchase and download a full version of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. You can also check with retailers to see if they still offer Windows 10 for sale.
Depending on the type of Windows 10 license you have installed, you might be able to transfer it to a new computer if needed. Over the years, Microsoft has distributed its desktop operating system through different market channels. New computers will often come preinstalled with an OEM license. There are many other channels Microsoft distributes Windows in, these include Retail, Volume License, Academic, and subgroups such as Upgrade licenses.
In 2015, Microsoft launched its latest version, Windows 10, offering the operating system to qualifying PCs and devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8 for free, for a limited time. Microsoft continues to provide Windows 10 as a full retail product for computers without a qualifying license or for people who build PCs.
We discussed these nuances in our Windows 10 editions article; with the release of Windows 10 November Update, 1511, Microsoft made modifications to the channel license. Previously, you could identify the channel from which, the license was derived by issuing a particular Windows command. The November Update now describes all licenses upgraded, whether full package or OEM, as retail. Even though your free upgrade to Windows 10 from an OEM Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 is now identified as retail, in spirit, it is still an OEM license.
Excellent description, just read carefully and slow. It means that OEM windows 7 versions can indeed be transferred to another computer as long as the license is removed (with slmgr.vbs /upk in admin mode) from the previous computer.
Actually no, OEM licenses are tied to the computer they preinstalled on or installed on first. OEM licenses upgraded to the free version appear as retail, but they still maintain their OEM status and restrictions.
Recovery images can be a bit different than any of the above and it will depend on the particular media/vendor/license whether or not you can do anything other than recover the exact computer that it came with. The RECOVERY MEDIA description has been used for over 15 years now so the definition has changed over time.
Please note that Volume License Windows is actually an upgrade, which means, the computer must properly licensed with qualifying license. I believe Windows XP Professional under Volume license is still qualifying. It should always be a premium business SKU in the Pro or Ultimate family depending on the version of Windows you currently have deployed.
I have Windows 7 Pro (Technet/Bizspark/MSDN version) running on my computer right now. I am going to buy a new PC with all new hardware in July, however I may have to wait until August, which is after the July 29 Windows 10 upgrade deadline.
Very good article and well written but I still have a little bit of confusion. I bought windows 8 pro dvd (retail license). Then I installed it on my pc. Then I upgraded to windows 8.1 pro. Then I upgraded it to windows 10 pro. However I am planning to buy a new pc that has windows 10 home preinstalled. Please tell the exact steps needed to transfer windows 10 pro license from old to new computer and replace the windows 10 home oem license ? Do I need to uninstall windows 10 pro key from old pc first and then use the easy upgrade feature from within windows 10 home on new pc?Will I be able to do it after July 29th this year? If old computer has 64 bit and new pc has 32 bit,is the transfer still possible?
My problem is somehow different but still related to Windows OS. I have a Toshiba laptop with Windows 7 Professional OS; which CD was lost. I had accidentally reverted the laptop to its OEM Windows 7 Home Edition. Can it be turned back to Windows 7 Professional? How?
Hi, thanks for the informative article, i bought a windows 8.1 pro retail key and installe dthe same on my macbook air, afterwards i took the advantage of the free upgrade program and upgraded it to windows 10 pro, Now i am planning to upgrade by air with the latest macbook pro. Can you please, lemme know is it possible for me to use the windows 8.1 pro key that i received from microsoft store via email to activate windows 10 pro clean install on the macbook pro. If yes please lemme know the exact steps, right from deactivating the key on air to getting it activated on pro. Thanks in advance.
I have a new windows ultimate 7 disc and key, not used or activated yet, is it possible to use the same procedure as mentioned above to activate windows 10, if not is it possible to use the key for windows 10 with another method.
A computer bought some years ago with Windows 8 home, upgraded to Windows 10 home (free upgrade from Microsoft), and running now Windows 10 Pro. If I need downgrade again to Windows 10 Home. Did I lose the original licence after upgrade to windows 10 pro, or can I reinstall Windows 10 home and recover the original licence of the laptop?
I have a 10-year-old computer that came with Win7 Pro, then got the free upgrade to Win10 Home. I just bought a $99 upgrade to Win10 Pro last week via the Microsoft Store, and less than a day and a half later the hard drive crashed and the system files are unrecoverable (at least easily) and unbootable except for the WinRE. Long story short, I was able to grab the data I wanted using WinRE and am getting a new computer delivered this week from iBuyPower. It was time for an upgrade anyway.
Microsoft hopes to have Windows 10 running on 1 billion systems within three years. An admirable goal, but one that does not take into account the requirements of the user. Windows 10 shares a lot in common with Windows 8.1; it is a smooth experience upgrading from that release. For Windows 7 users, the story might be a little different. Some older applications just work better with the older versions. If you purchase a new PC today, it likely will have Windows 10 preinstalled. Users still have an option, though, which is the ability to downgrade the installation to an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7 or even Windows 8.1.
For computers upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, a limited option is available within 30 days to roll back to your previous version. If your upgrade to Windows 10 is more than a month old, then a manual downgrade will have to be done. If your computer came with recovery media, consult the documentation for instructions on how to reinstall Windows 7 or Windows 8 on your computer.
Also, there remains a demand for systems with older versions of Windows, which is what you might prefer. Most OEM vendors such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo offer new model systems with a choice of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. If your computer is still within its warranty period, then I suggest you take advantage of it and purchase an appropriate system preinstalled with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
You need to determine, the version and architecture of Windows 7 or 8.1, you will be installing. If your computer has more than 4 GB of RAM installed, use a 64-bit version. If your objective is compatibility with legacy hardware or software, then 32 bit will be your best choice, this will limit the amount of memory your system will be able to address.
Options include borrowing a Windows 7 Professional/Windows 8/8.1 Pro key from a trusted friend or family member. The intention is not to use the key to activate the license but to exercise downgrade rights itself. You can also use a product key from a computer preinstalled with an OEM Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8/8.1 Pro license. See instructions at the beginning of this article on how to extract a Windows 8.1 Pro product key through the command line.
I realy like your post with boost of information, But I have a windows 8.1 professional product key, Purchased from: http//cheaproduct.comI just installed windows 8.1 professional at my laptop, But not know how to activate using the activation key code.Can I upgrade it to Windows 10 to get more features. Thanks in advance
I am an NGO based in the US but all work is done in Tanzania, Africa. We bought 4 new dell computers with Windows 10 unknowingly. I was not apart of the procurement process. The computers are now here with me and we want to take them to windows 7. Windows 10 in our opinion is garbage. Microsoft needs to stop trying to be Apple and leave Apps alone. If we want apps we will go with Apple products. 041b061a72