Bitcoin Forum

I've lost too much sleep trying to get Ubuntu to do what I want it to.  Maybe  when I have more time...

In the meantime, I'm sticking with Win 7 (say what you will).  Where's the cheapest place to get a full version of the OS (non-upgrade)?  I shelled out 100 clams at Best Buy, but seem to recall seeing better deals somewhere.  Thanks in advance.

Why windows 7? Couldn't you get XP free (legality questionable) and not have to worry about it not being activated since they stopped supporting it. I had a computer I'd format every few months, and I'd have to call up Microsoft every time to get it activated. I put that key on a dedicated miner a month or so ago and it activated without needing to do anything.

Windows 7 Upgrade might work... technically speaking, you can upgrade the upgrade.  Just sayin.

Become a Microsoft Partner and get the Action Pack Subscription - 10 copies of Win7 for ya, plus Office, Small Business Server, etc.

Create a business building bitcoin software based on .net (remember you don't have to actually release anything) and join BizSpark. Get MSDN developer with practiaclly unlimited copies of Win7, Office, servers, Visual Studio, etc. Good for 3 years. Cost at the end of 3 years is $50

Technet Subscription.

MSDN Subscription.

Check with your employer and see if they have licensing that allows Home Worker installations (Select, Open, etc.)

or

Check with your university to see if they have some kind of site license.

These aren't necessarily the cheapest ways to get Win7 (that would TPB). But they are the best, IMHO

+1! if you're not a student, maybe you know someone who is. most universities have free access to "MSDN Academic Alliance" which gives you free windows 7 licenses!

Why do you need a legal windows 7. Sure you will feel better if you've bought it, but why not download a pre-activated RTM version? Then, when you earn a block, pay for the physical DVD of the OS

I have Windows 7 Professional 32-bit and 64-bit keys I can sell. Grey-area legality. (they are completely legit, but I'm not actually allowed to resell them)

If anyone is interested, contact me.

all software is free online... thanks to the power of the internet!

Hi OP,

I can get you one(or more) legal MSDN-AA Copy of windows 7 Professional in the language of your choice. You would have to download the Win7 ISO image from Microsoft though. PM me if interested

Uhm no. MSDNAA does NOT allow any other use than academic!

If you anyways want to breach contracts, you're better off just using a pirated version for completely free instead of having an invalid license that you pay for.

Also beware of eBay and other places where keys are traded for 10-20 EUR. These are usually Technet keys which are also not with a production license but only valid for evaluation.

that in fact were true, if the End User License Agreement would be having any effect in my country. However it is not legally binding.
Furthermore, an MSDN version may not be sold by license, however microsoft has no way of detecting whether or not the one activating a machine has the right to use the AA license. So the AA licenses are fully qualified and fully working.

Yes they are working but you are using it outside of the license terms. I guess with "my country" you refer to Germany (as I have often seen Germans putting EULAs aside as "it doesn't apply to me anyways")... in any case: Microsoft has the right to (and can) disable your Operating System at any time if you are in violation of their contracts. They wrote the code, they own the code they set the rules and you even agreed to them before installing the software.

Good luck in ignoring EULAs further on, but I would REALLY advise you to read them and agree/disagree instead of ignoring these. It could save you a lot of trouble and lawyer costs further on.

(Something to think about btw.: if EULAs are not to be followed in your country, why should companys there follow privacy agreements, which are kind of the opposite agreement...?)

I did never agree to them :-D Running linux for more than 12 years now. I even found places that sell me my notebooks without a windows license :-D

Btw, I do ofc also still have Full win7 OEM Licenses on stock. These _CAN_ legally be traded, and Microsoft is prohibited from banning them.


a) I know, at least for microsoft, that these are not being respected(i.e. Microsoft selling E-Mail-Addresses and Telephone numbers to third party marketing companies. Source: The wive of my Godfather works for Microsoft Germany's marketing section. She told me about those practices)
b) privacy agreements are enforced by local law, in addition to that privacy agreements are a whole kind of other thing. The thing why EULAs are not considered legally binding in germany is because you cannot view them before retrieving the product. However Microsoft had the chance to show and have the user agree to those Terms before you retrieve your product(for MSDN before downloading it). However they decided not to do that and instead only show a short notice stating that I may use those licenses beyond my studying times.

Buy a broken Dell or other oem computer or case on Craigslist, often it will have a forgotten-about product key sticker on it. Microsoft probably enjoys having millions of windows licenses "lost" this way. You'll need to install off an OEM DVD (not retail box), easily available at MSDN or your favorite file sharing site.