Student pricing for Windows 7 set at $29.99

Brian Ambrozy (primesuspect)

September 18, 2009 12:59 PM ET in News, , ,

Feature image for Windows 7

Yesterday on the Windows blog, student pricing for the upcoming Windows 7 was announced. Until January 3, 2010, eligible students can purchase a full downloadable (media-less) copy of either Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional for $29.99.

If you have a .EDU email address, you’re all set. If not, there is a list of eligible schools; mostly community colleges with a few private schools and universities sprinkled in. While the list is surprisingly small, there is a note on the page that indicates they are open to adding schools.

As far as I can tell, these are fully functional, fully legit copies of Windows 7, with no restrictions other than you must be a student from an eligible school when you purchase it. The fact that is being endorsed by the Windows Blog team seals the deal. If you’re an eligible student, you cannot get a better price than this for Windows 7.

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45 Comments:

  1. Gnome Queen
    18 Sep '09, 1:45 pm

    alskjdlkjfsd, Of course, I just HAD to graduate four months ago.

  2. MAGIC
    18 Sep '09, 1:57 pm

    hopefully they will ad GVSU to that list.

  3. Winfrey
    18 Sep '09, 1:57 pm

    Oh balls where is my school? Cheap windows 7 plz yes?

  4. primesuspect
    18 Sep '09, 2:00 pm

    I am still technically a student at Macomb Community College

  5. WagsFTW
    18 Sep '09, 2:00 pm

    I asked for them to add Wayne State.

    Even though I already pre-ordered Windows 7... Maybe I could let my parents use it or something.

  6. primesuspect
    18 Sep '09, 2:01 pm

    I want a girl with a mind like a diamond
    I want a girl who knows what's best
    I want a girl with shoes that cut
    And eyes that burn like cigarettes

    I want a girl who preorders Windows 7
    Who's fast and thorough
    And sharp as a tack
    She's playing with her jewelry
    She's putting up her hair
    She's touring the facility
    And picking up slack

    I want a girl with a short skirt and a lonnnng jacket......

  7. WagsFTW
    18 Sep '09, 2:16 pm

    Magic, ask that they add GVSU to their list. You have to request it.

  8. Brendan
    18 Sep '09, 2:48 pm

    So the list that was dug for is for colleges that don't have a .edu email. SO, if you have your email ends in .edu you can get it. I just did it myself

  9. MAGIC
    18 Sep '09, 3:13 pm

    already did

  10. pigflipper
    18 Sep '09, 4:41 pm

    Neither TCC (the community college I attend now) nor FSU (which I will be attending in the spring) are listed. I did submit TCC for consideration though, so hopefully I can get this.

  11. Ben
    18 Sep '09, 5:16 pm

    It says that you need either a valid .edu e-mail address or attend one of the schools listed just FYI.

  12. branmyson
    18 Sep '09, 5:23 pm

    As Ben said, as long as you have a valid .edu e-mail address that should also work. The list of schools are only those who are in addition to the .edu schools.

  13. _k_
    18 Sep '09, 5:40 pm

    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade
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    It doesn’t get better than this - Windows 7 Home Premium for only $29.99 USD. With Windows 7 Home Premium, your PC becomes your entertainment hub. Kick back and enjoy your favorite TV shows, photos, videos, and music. And when it’s time to get some work done, new features help you cruise through your PC like a pro.

    Where is this Pro version you speak of?
    Choose 32-bit or 64-bit version
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    Release Date: 10/22/2009
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  14. Trumandrummer
    18 Sep '09, 5:46 pm

    Man. Nobody ever has my school on their list.
    Even when I am applying for student loans and stuff, half the time my school is not on the lists. My school is a crap hole. (Wayne county community college)

    Either way, I filled out the info to try and get it.
    I did not have a school email address so instead they asked for a scanned picture of a school ID, a class schedule or payment proof. I sent my class schedule. Hopefully I get it....

  15. primesuspect
    18 Sep '09, 5:55 pm

    Edited to reflect that. Thank you!

  16. Leonardo
    18 Sep '09, 6:12 pm
    I just HAD to graduate four months ago

    At least there's that!

  17. primesuspect
    18 Sep '09, 6:51 pm

    Quoted from the FAQ:

    Which edition of Windows 7 can I purchase?

    This offer applies to the Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional editions. You can compare these editions and learn more here.

    How many copies of Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional can I order?

    Eligible students are allowed to purchase one copy of either Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional from the online store.

    Which edition of Windows is right for me? Should I get Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional?

    Windows 7 Home Premium is perfect for anyone looking for a great media experience and a PC that allows them to get their work done. Windows 7 Home Premium makes it easy to enjoy and share your favorite TV shows, photos, videos, and music. You can also quickly cut through the clutter on your desktop with new features like Shake and Peek. And you can easily make your PC your own by personalizing your themes, gadgets and desktop backgrounds.

    If your school requires Domain Join, then you might want to consider Windows 7 Professional, which will let you connect to your school network so you can take advantage of features like HomeGroup and Remote Media Streaming. Through this offer, you can also get Windows 7 Professional for $29.99.

  18. Snarkasm
    18 Sep '09, 7:05 pm

    Damn, my utexas email doesn't appear to forward to my gmail anymore.

  19. jared
    18 Sep '09, 8:31 pm

    This is great.

    I'm not sure how other schools work, but Texas A&M lets you use your school .edu e-mail after you graduate.

    So even though I've graduated I'll definitely pick up a copy. This is just too good to pass up.

    The problem is I don't have a legit XP license to upgrade from (I'm almost 100% OSX) - so it might not even be worth the $30. Buying XP then buying the upgrade vs just buying a full version of Win7. Hmmmm.

    * jared shrugs
  20. Winfrey
    18 Sep '09, 9:34 pm

    Same boat as me Jared. I am currently in "Wait and see mode"

  21. fatcat
    18 Sep '09, 10:00 pm

    Jared, I have a couple legit WindowsXP sp0 keys if you wanna hook me up with Windows 7 for $30

  22. Crazy Joe
    18 Sep '09, 10:15 pm

    It says in the terms and conditions that MS could contact you for enrollment verification and if you cannot provide it you will be liable for the difference between the ammount paid and the retail price of the software. Not saying that MS would do this for every student, but just putting it out there.

  23. NiGHTS
    18 Sep '09, 10:49 pm

    I've read the install-w/o-activation-then-'upgrade' tactic might work.

  24. _k_
    20 Sep '09, 10:25 am

    Everything I have been reading is saying that if you have XP or Win7 RC you cannot upgrade with files in place like Vista versions will but it requires a fresh install so you need to migrate data around to save it.

  25. fatcat
    20 Sep '09, 11:24 am

    Fresh install is the only way to do a new OS.

  26. _k_
    20 Sep '09, 11:12 pm

    Dear Customer,

    Thank you for contacting the Windows 7 Offer online store.

    We understand that you are inquiring about installing Windows 7 to a
    computer which does not have a current Operating System installed.

    This is a full version of Windows 7 so can install it to a computer
    which does not have an Operating System installed.

    And if you are EE or CS or other computer degree person you might want to check here http://www.msdnaa.net/search/SchoolSearchUS.aspx because I am downloading win7 Pro for free right now!

  27. ardichoke
    20 Sep '09, 11:39 pm

    Hmm, all you need is a valid .edu address you say? I have one of those despite the fact I graduated nearly 2 years ago now. I wonder....

  28. Snarkasm
    20 Sep '09, 11:40 pm

    You have to have access to your valid .edu account as well.

  29. ardichoke
    21 Sep '09, 9:05 pm

    I do have access to it. My University started letting students keep their email accounts for life if they signed up for the alumni newsletter and whatnot.

  30. Annes
    21 Sep '09, 9:36 pm

    Balls.

  31. A
    22 Sep '09, 1:26 am

    Do you think MS will check to see if students are still enrolled? I graduated this year and my .edu addy still works so I was able to get get the link, but the clause about having to pay the difference if they check for proof of enrollment and you don't have any has me a little worried...

    I do still have my student ID though, if they accept that.

  32. jemswhite
    22 Sep '09, 7:15 am

    Sorry PrimeSuspect,
    I had purchased the laptop from eBay and they had given me the licence version of Windows 7 along with it. Anyways good price for Windows 7.

  33. Dadvuda
    23 Sep '09, 12:33 am

    What about senior citizens, I bought a Notebook with Vista and was physically robbed by Microsoft of time. Time is a precious gift to the old, but Vista is so damn slow it wastes 50% of our allotted time. Bill Gates and his boys should do a very special deal for seniors everywhere who were conned with Vista.

  34. =FPS= De Sniper
    15 Oct '09, 4:21 pm

    This is rediculous they wont let you request it for highschools, they only allow you to request Microsoft office 2007 ultimate and get that for $60-70 FAIL

  35. Thrax
    15 Oct '09, 4:23 pm

    That's because minors usually have mommy and daddy pay for things, whereas college students are typically on the hook with loans and/or summer funds.

  36. Gargoyle
    23 Oct '09, 2:36 pm

    This is so awesome. Downloading the professional version right now.

  37. danball1976
    25 Oct '09, 11:51 am

    If only I could remember my edu e-mail address... Besides, the college I was attending isn't listed.

  38. Crazy Joe
    25 Oct '09, 11:56 am

    If you have a .edu email account it doesn't matter what college you attended. The list is only if you don't have an .edu account, but attend one of those schools...

  39. danball1976
    25 Oct '09, 12:12 pm
    Quoting Crazy Joe

    If you have a .edu email account it doesn't matter what college you attended. The list is only if you don't have an .edu account, but attend one of those schools...

    Yes, I am aware, but I remember my user account name, but not the trailing @college name.net/org/edu (West Texas A&M University)

    I still have my login info for the school, I can check that when I get home.

  40. Crazy Joe
    25 Oct '09, 1:04 pm

    It should be @wtamu.edu

  41. danball1976
    25 Oct '09, 8:04 pm

    I should try that.

    --EDIT--
    It was @mail.wtamu.edu However considering that I haven't been registered to go to school at this college since Summer 2005, I am not able to log in (which I pretty much I knew I wasn't going to be able to, I was hoping the website was only checking to see if you had a .edu mail to be eligible), so all I got from the link to get Windows 7 was telling me to check my e-mail for the link to the store. Oh Well.

  42. Gargoyle
    30 Oct '09, 12:12 pm

    When I downloaded the student upgrade version last week, it was a pain in the ass. You had to download three files from a proprietary download manager, and then run a program to expand those into an image. The thing is, the expansion program would throw an error when it was finished, leading you to believe that it didn't work. On top of that, what it expanded was the file structure of the DVD, not a burnable ISO. It was a pain to get started, but I found some guides and got it to work.

    Thankfully, they've fixed it, and you can directly download the ISO now.

  43. danball1976
    2 Nov '09, 11:32 pm

    Is that a smart thing to make the ISO available like that?

  44. Thrax
    2 Nov '09, 11:36 pm

    It's useless without a key.

  45. danball1976
    2 Nov '09, 11:37 pm
    Quoting Thrax

    It's useless without a key.

    Yeah, I saw that... *pouts*

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