# I need a cheap copy of Windows **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 15, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842 "2010-07-15T22:30:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/1 "2010-07-15T22:30:21Z")
Legally. It needs to be a full version, since it’s going on a partition on my Mac. Is there any way to get a non-pirated, legally licensed copy of XP or 7 without paying the $200 for it directly from Microsoft? Is there an online outlet store that’ll sell me a banged-up box? Is there some legitimate retailer who has some kind of upside-down-universe sale for cheaper than M’soft? Can I donate a kidney or something to get a 10%-off coupon? I’d be thrilled to spend $100 on it. I’d be orgasmic to spend $50. Anyone have any tips or tricks? ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/2 "2010-07-15T22:34:35Z")
Well, the University of Minnesota sells copies of Windows 7to their students and staff for $7. Students with Macs or who had 7 preinstalled often sell those copies for $25-50. I’m assuming other colleges do similar things. Any college connections you could possibly hit up? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/3 "2010-07-15T22:34:42Z")
I think this is why they invented Linux. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/4 "2010-07-15T23:08:55Z")
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English 1 Pack for System Builders DSP OEI CD - OEM at Newegg for $99. I can’t link it directly. XP is cheaper than Win7. The SD board seems to be killing my links. > **[Newegg – Shopping Upgraded](https://www.newegg.com)** > > Newegg offers customers an awesome experience shopping for computers, hardware, electronics, networking solutions, and more. Upgrade your shopping experience today! ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/5 "2010-07-15T23:25:09Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English 1 Pack for System Builders DSP OEI CD - OEM at Newegg for $99. > > I can’t link it directly. XP is cheaper than Win7. > > The SD board seems to be killing my links. > [www.newegg.com](http://www.newegg.com) Wow. That might be a winner. I just need to figure out whether it’s considered “cheating” to use an OEM version on your Mac. (I need this to take the bar exam, and the bar examiners are a bit prickly about breaking the law.) If I get Win 7, how do I figure out whether to get 32- or 64-bit? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/6 "2010-07-15T23:33:12Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Wow. That might be a winner. I just need to figure out whether it’s considered “cheating” to use an OEM version on your Mac. (I need this to take the bar exam, and the bar examiners are a bit prickly about breaking the law.) > > If I get Win 7, how do I figure out whether to get 32- or 64-bit? I would go with 32 bit XP as the 64 bit XP was more of a problem. You’re on your own on how to do this with a MAC. I don’t think the 64 bit XP OEM was even on the site. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/7 "2010-07-15T23:45:45Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > Wow. That might be a winner. I just need to figure out whether it’s considered “cheating” to use an OEM version on your Mac. (I need this to take the bar exam, and the bar examiners are a bit prickly about breaking the law.) > > If I get Win 7, how do I figure out whether to get 32- or 64-bit? Getting the OEM shouldn’t be considered cheating. Would they even be looking to make sure you had a legit copy in the first place? If you have 4GB or more of RAM, get the 64 bit edition. If you have less than that and don’t plan on upgrading, the 32 bit edition should be fine. > [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > I would go with 32 bit XP as the 64 bit XP was more of a problem. You’re on your own on how to do this with a MAC. I don’t think the 64 bit XP OEM was even on the site. Yes, definitely stay away from 64 bit XP which is known for driver compatibility problems. The OP was asking about Windows 7 though, which is pretty solid. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/8 "2010-07-15T23:57:29Z")
> [@Electronic\_Chaos](#): > > Yes, definitely stay away from 64 bit XP which is known for driver compatibility problems. The OP was asking about Windows 7 though, which is pretty solid. Oops.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/9 "2010-07-16T00:35:22Z")
OEM at [pricewatch.com](http://pricewatch.com) = $79.99. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/10 "2010-07-16T00:44:35Z")
The main problem with the OEM version is you get NO support from Microsoft as the OS is supposed to go on a PC that is intended for retail sale. There is an opinion that you qualify to buy if you are buying hardware (CPU, motherboard, etc.) to build a system. I did buy the OEM version for my build. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/11 "2010-07-16T01:02:45Z")
I originally bought the OEM version of XP Pro 32bit for the Windows partition on my first Mac. Being OEM, it’s tied to that machine. I may not legally reinstall it on another machine. There was a sticker I could put on the outside of the machine. That installation of Windows is still there. For the desktop Mac I bought later, I got a retail copy of Win7 Pro 64bit. I can install it on a BootCanp partition, install it in a virtual machine, move it between machines, whatever. It’s now in a virtual machine, and this is plenty fast enough, even running the likes of AutoCAD. So if you don’t mind getting a copy of Windows that can’t eventually be transferred to another machine, go ahead and get the OEM version. Be your own system builder. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/12 "2010-07-16T01:05:58Z")
[Link to Newegg site for XP OEM.](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116583&cm_re=windows_xp_oem-_-32-116-583-_-Product) $100 [Link to Newegg site for Win 7 OEM.](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758&cm_re=Windows_7_64-bit_oem-_-32-116-758-_-Product) $140 ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/13 "2010-07-24T02:46:30Z")
UPDATE: Turns out, to install Windows 7 on a Boot Camp partition, you need Snow Leopard. And I have “non-Snow” Leopard. And a fresh new copy of Windows 7. So I need either a copy of xp, or a copy of Snow Leopard. Before Tuesday. Looks like I might be doing some minor pirating after all. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/14 "2010-07-24T03:12:09Z")
Eh? Can’t you just get SL from an Apple retailer? It was a $29 update IIRC. Or is your machine not officially supported by SL? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/15 "2010-07-24T03:48:07Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Eh? Can’t you just get SL from an Apple retailer? It was a $29 update IIRC. Or is your machine not officially supported by SL? [Yup. $29.00](http://store.apple.com/us/product/MAC_OS_X_SNGL). ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/16 "2010-07-24T04:12:13Z")
Strictly speaking, putting an OEM copy on your own computer breaks the OEM license. Microsoft recently made it very explicit that OEMs are only “allowed” to be put on computers intended to be sold to a third party. I personally think that steps over the bounds of reasonability on Microsoft’s part, as OEM licenses are still pretty limited. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/17 "2010-07-24T08:55:56Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Strictly speaking, putting an OEM copy on your own computer breaks the OEM license. Microsoft recently made it very explicit that OEMs are only “allowed” to be put on computers intended to be sold to a third party. > > I personally think that steps over the bounds of reasonability on Microsoft’s part, as OEM licenses are still pretty limited. Pity that you are not looking for a copy of xp, and i do not have the systems disc for my dead in the water laptop, kill 2 birds with one stone as it were. If I had the disc for the OS, and you wanted xp i could have sent them both off to you and you could have legally had the disc and the key number [if i kept the lappy, then i would be guilty of sending off a copy and keeping a copy which is not kosher =(] ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/18 "2010-07-24T10:16:32Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Strictly speaking, putting an OEM copy on your own computer breaks the OEM license. Microsoft recently made it very explicit that OEMs are only “allowed” to be put on computers intended to be sold to a third party. And once used, OEM licences are not transferable, so they don’t meet the OP’s criteria. You need a retail licence, which you might find on eBay etc. But such is the confusuion surrounding OEM licences, I’d double check that you really are getting a transferable licence. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/19 "2010-07-24T17:59:07Z")
If you know anyone in college, they can get copies of MS Programs pretty cheaply. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842/20 "2010-07-24T20:30:03Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > I need this to take the bar exam, and the bar examiners are a bit prickly about breaking the law. Are you absolutely positively super-duper sure they will let you take it on a Mac at all? My experience is out of date (NY Bar, 2005), and I was in a pilot program of sorts (I think it was the second or third year they were allowing laptops, and just a few hundred per center). But since the bar software was intended to keep the system isolated and chock full of integrity, they were _very_ specific about the allowable hardware. If you arrive with a system that, say, runs Windows in a window, they may not let you take the exam on it. Again, that was just my experience, things may have changed, or you may be using it for some other purpose. But if you haven’t already, I’d check, recheck, take a nap and check again, then check. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-cheap-copy-of-windows/546842.md?page=2)