Get Microsoft Windows 7 for free (or close)

David M Williams
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 19:47

Your IT - Entertainment

That is, if you run a business you can’t subscribe to TechNet and install Windows Server 2008 and Microsoft Exchange 2007 on your server and run Microsoft Dynamics for your financials – at least, not from this set of disks.

You receive multi-activation keys for each product meaning the same key can be used to install and activate the software on up to ten different computers. This makes the price extremely attractive when you consider what it would cost to otherwise ‘evaluate’ Windows 7 and Office 2007 on a handful of computers in your home.

Those with a software development bent would also want to check out the MSDN subscription programme which includes Visual Studio and Expression Studio. These may be used for the production of commercial software.

Alternatively, if you run a company or work for one that is somehow involved in selling computer hardware, software or services that relate to Microsoft’s platforms you ought to check out the Microsoft Partner Network.

One perk of this programme is a low-cost Action Pack subscription. The Action Pack provides disks and keys for major products, and unlike TechNet these can be used in your business.

Become a startup or a student
If the thought of a subscription programme strikes you as useful but you’re unable to meet the fee you may still be in luck – provided the reason you’re broke is because you’re out to strike it on your own.

If so, you need to look into the Microsoft BizSpark programme which aims to provide software, professional support and resources that will help establish and grow your startup business.

By registering at BizSpark you may be eligible for a free three-year MSDN subscription. At the end of the three years you are encouraged to pay a $100 fee but that’s a pithy amount considering the three full years of downloading and using full legal Microsoft products.

Microsoft has two other ‘Spark’ programmes, DreamSpark for students and WebsiteSpark for web developers. However, neither of these include Windows 7.

That’s five ways you can get Windows 7 for free, or almost, that are reachable by most anyone. Are you going to try them?