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Microsoft Windows\Office Questions


GF6

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Hello.

1) Is there a online website that I can purchase Windows 7 Ultimate legally? All I am after is the 32-bit disk and the product key. The fancy packaging that comes with the retail edition is not for me and I am certainly not going to pay £300+ for it.

2) In addition to the above question, can it be stripped down and still function using WinToolkit? I want to remove all of the bloatware that MS have installed. If this is the wrong forum to ask this question, please let me know and I will ask it in the WinToolkit forum.

3) Is this website legal to sell Office 2013 as such a low price? http://www.microsoftcheapsoftware.com/microsoft-office-professional-plus-2013-106-p.asp

4) Are there places that I can buy a copy of it? All I want is the disk and product key.

5) I have read that to activate Office 2013, you need an email address from one of Microsoft services i.e. Hotmail, Windows Live Mail, Live.com, etc. Is this true? If so, can it be activated with any other email provider?

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I am sure a large number of Egypt based software selling companies are partners of MS and sell their (MS's) product internationally through UK websites.

http://www.whois.com/whois/microsoftcheapsoftware.com

http://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/microsoftcheapsoftware.com

 

It is not clear (to me) if the site is selling "counterfeited software" or, as they seem to say here, they take advantage of different product prices in different countries (which may be perfectly legal :unsure:) to offer lower prices:

http://www.justanswer.co.uk/law/7yc4y-paypal-google-suspended-accounts-no-reason-saying.html

 

Some more related results:

http://irenagilbert.brandyourself.com/

there is another software company with the same phone number and address:

http://www.softwaresdigital.com/

http://www.softwaresdigital.com/about-us-1-w.asp

http://www.whois.com/whois/softwaresdigital.com

 

And also this other one has the same address:

http://www.a1companies.com/contact-us/

which offfers Company Registration and Company services.

 

The 2 WoodBerry Grove must be a very large building (or at least it's first floor), as it seemingly hosts also:

http://www.globalenforcementsolutions.co.uk/

https://www.whoareyoultd.com/

http://www.patientsfirst.org.uk/

 

 

jaclaz

Edited by jaclaz
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I am sure a large number of Egypt based software selling companies are partners of MS and sell their (MS's) product internationally through UK websites.

http://www.whois.com/whois/microsoftcheapsoftware.com

http://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/microsoftcheapsoftware.com

 

It is not clear (to me) if the site is selling "counterfeited software" or, as they seem to say here, they take advantage of different product prices in different countries (which may be perfectly legal :unsure:) to offer lower prices:

http://www.justanswer.co.uk/law/7yc4y-paypal-google-suspended-accounts-no-reason-saying.html

 

Some more related results:

http://irenagilbert.brandyourself.com/

there is another software company with the same phone number and address:

http://www.softwaresdigital.com/

http://www.softwaresdigital.com/about-us-1-w.asp

http://www.whois.com/whois/softwaresdigital.com

 

And also this other one has the same address:

http://www.a1companies.com/contact-us/

which offers Company Registration and Company services.

 

The 2 WoodBerry Grove must be a very large building (or at least it's first floor), as it seemingly hosts also:

http://www.globalenforcementsolutions.co.uk/

https://www.whoareyoultd.com/

http://www.patientsfirst.org.uk/

 

 

jaclaz

 

Thank you for the explanation.  I am now torn on whether to get it from that website or MS themselves, although Windows 7 is not for sale on microsoft.com.  Do you know of any website that sells just the disk and product key for both Windows 7 and Office 2013?

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You can get a Windows 8/8.1 Pro license from MS and use your downgrade rights, or find some other source, which may include "used" software.

See this:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2105765/3-ways-to-get-a-new-windows-7-pc-in-the-windows-8-era.html

 

 

Cannot say in the UK, but in the US (among others) NewEgg is a known source:

http://www.newegg.com/Microsoft-Operating-Systems/BrandSubCat/ID-1149-368

I presume that there are UK based comparable hardware/software sellers. :unsure:

 

jaclaz

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You can get a Windows 8/8.1 Pro license from MS and use your downgrade rights, or find some other source, which may include "used" software.

See this:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2105765/3-ways-to-get-a-new-windows-7-pc-in-the-windows-8-era.html

 

 

Cannot say in the UK, but in the US (among others) NewEgg is a known source:

http://www.newegg.com/Microsoft-Operating-Systems/BrandSubCat/ID-1149-368

I presume that there are UK based comparable hardware/software sellers. :unsure:

 

jaclaz

 

Won't used software be already activated?

 

There are UK based software sellers, it is just a case of finding them and weaving out the fake from the real.  Do you happen to know if you need a hotmail/Windows Live account to activate Office 2013?

Edited by GF6
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Won't used software be already activated?

Maybe yes, maybe not, but it is not like "You only live activate twice once" ;).

A non OEM license can be transferred fine (as well as an OEM if it includes the hardware), and will activate (again and again) fine, as long as it is not - for any reason - blacklisted by the good MS guys (something that may happen if the license/key becomes "public" and they get tens, or hundreds or thousands requests for activation in a short period of time).

 

Just as an example, if, a month or two after first activation you are affected by (say) a virus and decide to re-format the disk and re-install from scratch (or your disk drive dies and you need a new one) you will need to activate again your copy, and if you don't overdo it (like attempting re-formatting and reinstalling and asking for activation thrice a day for one week :w00t:), you won' t have issues with automatic activation, and in case of issues you can still phone MS and ask for a "manual" activation, which they will normally grant you after a minimal verification process.

 

Do you happen to know if you need a hotmail/Windows Live account to activate Office 2013?

No idea, sorry, I try to stay as away as I can from that madness, see:

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/172139-trying-to-decide-on-operating-system-and-office-package/

and my personal advice is to also stay away from it, the previous versions of MS Office are IMHO much "better" and there are several "good enough" alternatives, some of which also free.

 

jaclaz

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You can purchase either Retail or OEM System Builder Kit Windows software from large online retailers like Amazon or Newegg, although there are others. Official Microsoft resellers may also offer this OS for sale. Both Home Premium and Ultimate have reached EOS (End of Sale) so any media left in the market are all that there is. Once it dries up, it will only be in the secondary (used) market as used or NOS product.

Also, make sure you really want Ultimate. Go through the feature comparison to verify you actually NEED the things Ultimate does. You might just be fine with Pro or Home Premium.

http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/windows-7-product-editions-a-comparison-128684

The Office in that link does not specify (unless I missed it) if that is the FPP (Fully Packaged Product) or PKC (Product Key Card) version. Just because of that, if I were to want to purchase Office 2013, I wouldn't from that site because I would be uncertain of what I would be receiving. Plus I never heard of the website, which doesn't help. Like the Windows OS, you can get Office from major online retailers.

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You can purchase either Retail or OEM System Builder Kit Windows software from large online retailers like Amazon or Newegg, although there are others. Official Microsoft resellers may also offer this OS for sale. Both Home Premium and Ultimate have reached EOS (End of Sale) so any media left in the market are all that there is. Once it dries up, it will only be in the secondary (used) market as used or NOS product.

Also, make sure you really want Ultimate. Go through the feature comparison to verify you actually NEED the things Ultimate does. You might just be fine with Pro or Home Premium.

http://winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/windows-7-product-editions-a-comparison-128684

The Office in that link does not specify (unless I missed it) if that is the FPP (Fully Packaged Product) or PKC (Product Key Card) version. Just because of that, if I were to want to purchase Office 2013, I wouldn't from that site because I would be uncertain of what I would be receiving. Plus I never heard of the website, which doesn't help. Like the Windows OS, you can get Office from major online retailers.

 

Thank you for your input.

 

I did consider going for Professional instead of Ultimate, but there may be an instance where software that I use may not work with Professional as it requires a certain component that only Ultimate and Enterprise has.  I have not come across a situation like this but that does not mean it will never happen.  I can go for Professional if I can't get a hold of Ultimate.

 

Like I mentioned to jaclaz, all I need is the disk and product key for both Windows 7 and Office.  Official of course and without the fancy packaging.  Also, if possible, have Service Pack 1 integrated for both.

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Enterprise is the "Volume" version of Ultimate. Good luck getting/finding that (and pointless).

You should look at the features comparison list link given by Tripredacus.

What "software" could you possibly need to use that would require Ultimate (Enterprise)?

Enterprise -

http://ykrlidhoahlomizw.softwaretopgrade.com/product/microsoft-windows-7-ent-sp1/

Oh, and that price makes it "questionable". See this -

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/product-activation-faq.aspx

I wouldn't touch Enterprise with someone else' ten-foot-pole. :no:

 

Also Wikipedia -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions

Edited by submix8c
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Enterprise is the "Volume" version of Ultimate. 

Yep, and - basically - it makes NO SENSE whatever for a non-enterprise customer to have Enterprise and not much sense for anyone to prefer Ultimate over Professional.

 

The differences are little (and of no or very little practical use), see:

http://winsupersite.com/windows-7/windows-7-product-editions-comparison

 

In practice the only possibly useful things[1] missing in Professional are Bitlocker (that is basically a very good way to appear 1337 AND lose all your data before or later) and booting natively to VHD. (there is also MUI support, but it is unlikely that it has any use in a non-multinational enterprise)

 

jaclaz

 

 

[1] by definition possible useful things are whatever one can understand their use and  may actually want to use, according to common sense (a surprisingly rare to find ability) :w00t:

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Enterprise is the "Volume" version of Ultimate. Good luck getting/finding that (and pointless).

You should look at the features comparison list link given by Tripredacus.

What "software" could you possibly need to use that would require Ultimate (Enterprise)?

Enterprise -

http://ykrlidhoahlomizw.softwaretopgrade.com/product/microsoft-windows-7-ent-sp1/

Oh, and that price makes it "questionable". See this -

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/product-activation-faq.aspx

I wouldn't touch Enterprise with someone else' ten-foot-pole. :no:

 

Also Wikipedia -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions

 

That link you provided sells only in dollars and only do digital downloads.  I could download the iso image but then the disk would not be an official MS disk, just a copy of it.  Also, is that company even legit? It doesn't look like it to me.

Edited by GF6
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MOST of the ms software sold during win7 and after has been done electronically. It's just simpler that way. Trips' right too even here at msfn where the warez policy is really strong digital river links are ok because they are a license redistributer of MS products.

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Well, again, a Czech Republic Registrant using a Dutch host and selling in US$ only:

http://whois.domaintools.com/softwaretopgrade.com

 may be EITHER a sign of globalization :whistle: OR of something fishy :unsure:.

 

Getting the actual .iso from Digital River is one thing:

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp1-downloads-dry-microsoft-distributor-digital-river-239224

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/windows-7-sp-1-downloads-once-again-available-digital-river-239516

(and it could be a good way to test for 30 days the Pro vs. Ultimate), but then you will need to buy a key.

 

Digitalriver (please read as Microsoft) doesn't AFAIK sell anymore the Windows 7 keys, so your options are IMHO to buy an original DVD ("physical disc" AND NOT an "electronic download") from a reputable source or get a Windwos 8/8.1 Pro and use your downgrade rights.

 

Precedent experience with sites selling electronic downloads (which are not digitalriver or store.microsoft.com) have traditionally been a scam, of the one or the other kind:

http://www.technonsense.com/2011/02/cheap-windows-7-winkey-sale-scam/

 

jaclaz

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Well I -did- say

"questionable"
so that "link" was just to provide information. The -other- link was to specifically inform you that Enterprise as a choice is a no-go (ref. KMS/MAK keys). No surprises here.

 

Your choices are clear about the "purchase" - you'll need to get a DVD from a -reputable- source while you can, the Edition is whichever you want (except Enterprise or Server). The PRODUCT KEY for the chosen Edition is the bugaboo, since a legitimate ISO can be obtained.

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