The clock on most Windows 7 OEM sales runs out this week, HP and Dell still pushing it

[fredlaso]

At the end of this month, Microsoft will pull the plug on the sales of Windows 7 licenses to OEMs for most versions of the OS. What this means is that vendors, such as HP and Dell, can no longer buy the licence keys from Microsoft for the OS, but they will still be able to sell through their existing stock. So, on November 1st, Windows 7 machines wont disappear completely but they will quickly become much harder to find.

For Dell and HP, this is not good news as both companies are still pushing the five-year-old OS with promotions and prominent placing on their websites. As you can see in the images in this post, HP and Dell are still attracting enough customers who want Windows 7 to warrant placing links that are highly visible on their websites.

For OEMs, Windows 10 can't come soon enough; it's clear that some customers do not like Windows 8 and are opting for the older OS. With Windows 10 targeting such users with features like the return of the Start menu, it will likely appease this same user base. Because of this, OEMs need Windows 10 to arrive sooner rather than later to fill the void being left by the absence of Windows 7 machines.

It is important to point out that the sales stop on Windows 7 applies to Ultimate, Home, and Basic tiers, you will still be able to buy the Professional version of Windows 7 after this date. The reason for this is quite obvious as Microsoft does not want to slow sales to the enterprise channels. But for consumers, Pro is an added expense for their hardware for features they likely do not need. At this time, Microsoft has not said when the sale of Windows 7 Pro will be stopped.

The short of this is that if you are a consumer and want a machine with Windows 7 on it, this is the week to buy. If you are an IT admin and are getting nervous about the end of sales, relax - you can stilll get machines for your team.

Source: Microsoft

[CODYQX4]

As much as I was happy to bury and burn XP when Windows 7 came out, Windows 7 remains the OS I most commonly install for people.

Yes, I can Start Menu it, but that could break in an update, and many PCs can be OEM Loadered without the boot loader, and for those that need the boot loader, AV won't mess with it.

I worry people will do a AV Trial buffet, and one of those would nuke the KMS Activator.

[serrebi]

Windows 10 is just slower than windows 7. Maybe I'm spoiled with SSD but until that's not the case I'll stay with 7. The lower the CPU the better.

[dcs18]

Good-bye Windows 7 - khulli vulli, to you. :mellow:

[psyko666]

Windows 10 is just slower than windows 7. Maybe I'm spoiled with SSD but until that's not the case I'll stay with 7. The lower the CPU the better.

Just bullshit.. I have a SDD too, 8.1 boots way faster as WIndow 7.. <_<

[CODYQX4]

Windows 10 is just slower than windows 7. Maybe I'm spoiled with SSD but until that's not the case I'll stay with 7. The lower the CPU the better.

Just bullshit.. I have a SDD too, 8.1 boots way faster as WIndow 7.. <_<

He said Windows 10, and it could be buggy.

8.1 is faster and less RAM hungry though it seems.

[LeeSmithG]

I was not happy that my sons O.E.M. I purchased 6 months ago was windows 8.

I have said it many times, M$ build an operating system with tiles and touch screen capabilities for a tablet and/ or a cell phone.

Then leave the operating system for a PC, note book or laptop like Windows 7 but with more stability, security and new features.

When Windows 7 no longer becomes an operating system, I am moving to a Linux based operating system.

I suggest everyone else dos the same.

There is software out there that turns Windows software into Linux software if Linux does not have similar.

[dcs18]

Just an heads-up - those who have found it tough to handle Windows 8 will find it impossible to deal with Linux. :yes:

[LeeSmithG]

Just an heads-up - those who have found it tough to handle Windows 8 will find it impossible to deal with Linux. :yes:

I find Ubuntu very easy to use.

[Ryrynz]

I was not happy that my sons O.E.M. I purchased 6 months ago was windows 8.

leave the operating system for a PC, note book or laptop like Windows 7 but with more stability, security and new features.

So basically, Windows 8.1? Which is a leaner meaner Windows 7 with a bolted on touch UI and apps.. WHICH CAN BE DISABLED.

Wow. The stupidity is astounding.

[LeeSmithG]

I was not happy that my sons O.E.M. I purchased 6 months ago was windows 8.

leave the operating system for a PC, note book or laptop like Windows 7 but with more stability, security and new features.

So basically, Windows 8.1? Which is a leaner meaner Windows 7 with a bolted on touch UI and apps.. WHICH CAN BE DISABLED.

Wow. The stupidity is astounding.

Are you referring to me as being stupid?

[CODYQX4]

I was not happy that my sons O.E.M. I purchased 6 months ago was windows 8.

I have said it many times, M$ build an operating system with tiles and touch screen capabilities for a tablet and/ or a cell phone.

Then leave the operating system for a PC, note book or laptop like Windows 7 but with more stability, security and new features.

When Windows 7 no longer becomes an operating system, I am moving to a Linux based operating system.

I suggest everyone else dos the same.

There is software out there that turns Windows software into Linux software if Linux does not have similar.

It's cheaper and easier to just throw Start8 or StartisBack on it and just accept it as Windows 7 with less AERO Glass, than it is to reinstall, find W7 drivers, etc.

Also WAY easier than adapting to Linux. Ubuntu has some crazy ass UI of their own that they added, and Ubuntu was always the most popular Linux from what' I've seen (I've heard good things about Mint but never tried it).

[mike.mt]

I find Ubuntu very easy to use.

Both you & @CODYQX4 have valid points.

Users that just want their box for web browsing, mail, word processing etc. Running with excellently polished new offerings from UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, PCLINUX or whatever distro they prefer, is just as easy as adapting to a new Tablet. Without the need of having to apply either patches or cracks to make the product functional as they would in current Windows builds.

There is no right or wrong direction, solely user preference

[CODYQX4]

I find Ubuntu very easy to use.

Both you & @CODYQX4 have valid points.

Users that just want their box for web browsing, mail, word processing etc. Running with excellently polished new offerings from UBUNTU, KUBUNTU, PCLINUX or whatever distro they prefer, is just as easy as adapting to a new Tablet. Without the need of having to apply either patches or cracks to make the product functional as they would in current Windows builds.

There is no right or wrong direction, solely user preference

Thankfully Linux runs Firefox and Chrome.

Not going to lie though, all Word Processors are inferior compared to MS Office. I've had nothing but pain trying to feed Word Documents into other apps.

[mike.mt]

Thankfully Linux runs Firefox and Chrome.

Not going to lie though, all Word Processors are inferior compared to MS Office. I've had nothing but pain trying to feed Word Documents into other apps.

Agree with you if 100% compatibility is required within Excel multi links, Word, Access etc. along with efficient IMAP mail app integration with Kerio, Exchange – 365 servers. Our accounting software also requires a MS platform.

From the sound of it my policy is similar to you as I am MS with my sites + home, network pc’s & servers. The only exception being our gateway firewalls.