Thanks to the genuine deal Microsoft offered to students of developing countries – where else*** students really need cheap software than in UK and US – I purchased legal copy of Windows 7. Windows 7 Professional. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit!
Computer says no!
I like the new Windows 7 as much as a Unix-devoted user can like Windows way of use of OS. However, no joy without annoy and along with delivering modern operating system Microsoft definitely and absolutely has earned Darwin Award by providing users with easy and friendly purchase & setup process.
To make the long story short, basically you complete clean installation of Windows 7 without giving the Product Key (don’t even waste time on trying, Microsoft will reject it as invalid), next you carry out upgrading the newly installed Windows 7 to…Windows 7 and then you are able to successfully register and activate your legal copy of the system.
Ah, and don’t forget to feel the lovely pain in the arse while preparing bootable ISO. That fun is so worth those thirty quid I paid for the Windows 7, hehe.
Microsoft says yes!
On the Microsoft Answers:
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to let everyone know we are aware of this issue and we are actively working with Digital River for a resolution.
We will post back when we have a solution.
Michael
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Oh, gosh, I need to be quick with e-mailing Wendy with my proposal of Microsoft nomination.
After quite long and silly battle, I finally installed Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on my computer. Actually, on Virtual Machine running under control of VirtualBox (Sun, I love you!) inside Linux.
Dear Microsoft, I’m impressed. I like Windows 7.
Update 2009-10-27T22:07:44: Also ZDNet UK posted that Windows 7 upgrade poses problem for students and linked to article with statement from Microsoft.
*** Poland is a rich country. Polish are rich people. Microsoft knows that and asks ~25-30% more for their software. Not like in developing countries, UK or US, where they try to make their software affordable to help people to in studying or running small businesses. So, if you live in Poland and you don’t want to overpay for Microsoft software, buy it in US. Ask your aunt (every Polish has auntie in US) to buy a box for you and ship it to Poland. It is legal. I called Microsoft Poland and confirmed it is legal to buy their software in US, bring it to Poland and use it in Poland. Sweet.