Should I buy a copy of Windows 7 pro EOM?

[saintsfan0990]

Hey, so I just happened to stumble across a single copy of Windows 7 pro EOM on Amazon at 135.99. Was this a good buy? I realize it is EOM version. Does anyone know of anyway around it being bonded to the MOBO, potentially using out-of-box mode or something similar? Eom or not EOM aside, do you think this is a good buy,(?) considering I am a casual user just looking for a harddrive with Windows 7 on it for those times when you might need it, or want it, dual boot type deal?

 

[g-unit1111]

Just buy a Windows license. You don't want a pre-installed version of Windows on a random hard drive because the drivers will be tailored to that system and not to yours. Plus the license won't carry over - it is indeed bonded to that motherboard. A Windows 10 home license currently retails for $102 and your license is tied to your account and will carry over between multiple builds: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416892

 

[boosted1g]

If you are refering to this: https://www.amazon.com/Windows-Professional-System-Builder-Packaging/dp/B00H09BOXQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487352609&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+7+pro

You can run the software in a virtual machine if you want to prevent it from binding to a specific motherboard.
I looked for a retail version of Win 7 Pro but cant really find any nowdays

 

[g-unit1111]

If you are refering to this: https://www.amazon.com/Windows-Professional-System-Builder-Packaging/dp/B00H09BOXQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487352609&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+7+pro

You can run the software in a virtual machine if you want to prevent it from binding to a specific motherboard.
I looked for a retail version of Win 7 Pro but cant really find any nowdays

Again, why would you do that when you can buy a legitimate Windows license for less than $100?

 

[boosted1g]

If you are refering to this: https://www.amazon.com/Windows-Professional-System-Builder-Packaging/dp/B00H09BOXQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487352609&sr=8-2&keywords=windows+7+pro

You can run the software in a virtual machine if you want to prevent it from binding to a specific motherboard.
I looked for a retail version of Win 7 Pro but cant really find any nowdays

Again, why would you do that when you can buy a legitimate Windows license for less than $100?

The OP is not asking about windows 10 for a primary OS, the OP is asking for Win 7 PRO (notice PRO) to have for dual boot/legacy support (It also sounds like they already have a copy of WIn 10 as their primary OS anyways). Thus the fact that you can get Win 10 home for $100 is completely irrelevant for what the OP is asking and for what their purpose is.

 

[g-unit1111]

The OP is not asking about windows 10 for a primary OS, the OP is asking for Win 7 PRO (notice PRO) to have for dual boot/legacy support (It also sounds like they already have a copy of WIn 10 as their primary OS anyways). Thus the fact that you can get Win 10 home for $100 is completely irrelevant for what the OP is asking and for what their purpose is.

Running VMs on Windows license to avoid activation issues is completely absurd. If you're dead set on using Windows 7, you can still buy new licenses. But that license has the issue of being bound to the motherboard, whereas a new Windows 10 license does not, and will carry across multiple builds. If you're interested in saving money in the long run, buying a new account-based Windows 10 license is far less of a hassle than buying a Windows 7 OEM license at this point, because you would have to buy a new license key every time you build a new system.

 

[saintsfan0990]

The OP is not asking about windows 10 for a primary OS, the OP is asking for Win 7 PRO (notice PRO) to have for dual boot/legacy support (It also sounds like they already have a copy of WIn 10 as their primary OS anyways). Thus the fact that you can get Win 10 home for $100 is completely irrelevant for what the OP is asking and for what their purpose is.

Running VMs on Windows license to avoid activation issues is completely absurd. If you're dead set on using Windows 7, you can still buy new licenses. But that license has the issue of being bound to the motherboard, whereas a new Windows 10 license does not, and will carry across multiple builds. If you're interested in saving money in the long run, buying a new account-based Windows 10 license is far less of a hassle than buying a Windows 7 OEM license at this point, because you would have to buy a new license key every time you build a new system.

I don't think I understand. Are you saying that I can use that disc for more than one build, so I can build Windows 10 systems indefinitely with just one disc? Where can I get this disc?

 

[USAFRet]

Windows. 7/8.1/10.....1 license, 1 PC. Period.
A VM counts as a PC.

If you really want a Win 7 license, then just buy that.
You can install it on bare metal, or in a VM.

The license key is what costs.

 

[USAFRet]

I don't think I understand. Are you saying that I can use that disc for more than one build, so I can build Windows 10 systems indefinitely with just one disc? Where can I get this disc?

No you cannot. You can reinstall on the same system, yes. But not multiple systems.

 

[USAFRet]

With Windows 10, after the 1607 Anniversary release, you can link that license to a Microsoft account, and transfer that license to new hardware.
As always, only one system at a time.

But it is not tied to specific hardware as previous OEM versions were.
Read more here:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530/windows-10-reactivating-after-hardware-change
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3164428/windows-build-1607-activation.html