Windows 7 ISO - to download or not?

[winds]

I think I might grab the OEM version as well, I only need it for one PC anyway. At this point I don't want to worry about the hassle of constantly downloading new cracks every new update that comes out to try and avoid detection. The other option i'm considering is buying the student discounted version of the windows 7 upgrade (yes im a student). The only problem with this is I would have to install a pirated copy of Windows xp to upgrade from, and i'm not sure if this is possible or not. If windows 7 has some way of detecting if the windows xp is pirated or not. Does anyone know?

[Dakinggamer87]

I would definitely get a legit copy of Windows 7!! The torrents can be hit or miss with the cracks and as mentioned could be infected with hidden viruses/malware.

[t0yrobo]

If you have a college email address, r know someone willing to let you use their college email address you can get 7 pro for $30. It's totally worth it to not have to deal with all the hassle of having a shady copy, and you can always get the updates etc.

[winds]

If you have a college email address, r know someone willing to let you use their college email address you can get 7 pro for $30. It's totally worth it to not have to deal with all the hassle of having a shady copy, and you can always get the updates etc.

I really want to go this route, the problem is I don't have a legit copy of windows xp or vista (in order to update from). If I say, downloaded a copy of windows xp and installed it first, than used the legit student upgrade version of windows 7, would it work?

[Ziggy]

You don't have to actually install an OS to use the upgrade version. At least, you don't with upgrade versions of XP. If the Win7 install doesn't detect an OS on the drive, it'll ask you to put in a previous version of Windows disc. You can do a "clean" install, don't install it over an other OS, that just sucks.

[BigTinz]

You don't have to actually install an OS to use the upgrade version. At least, you don't with upgrade versions of XP. If the Win7 install doesn't detect an OS on the drive, it'll ask you to put in a previous version of Windows disc. You can do a "clean" install, don't install it over an other OS, that just sucks.

This is quite true, NEVER install 7 over xp/vista!

I think what he may be asking is, do they send you an upgrade only disc? Or is the disc you get with the student deal a full PRO install disc?

[winds]

Ohh okay, I didn't know thats how it worked. If I have a pirated disc of windows XP in that case then, will it still work? Or will windows 7 be able to detect the xp disc is a fake?

Also, im quite sure the student discount version is the update only. Kind of sucks but for 40 dollars (canadian version) it's still quite a steal.

[Ziggy]

There's nothing wrong with the upgrade version. Do a clean install, you wont be installing it over XP. And no, 7 wont be able to detect that your XP isn't legit. You're not installing XP, you're not even using the CD key. You just need the CD present when installing 7 (I think, I haven't installed an upgrade version of 7 yet, but this is how it works on previous versions of Windows).

[DNT 2.5]

I suggest that you do NOT download it Via a torrent website by searching the terms "Windows 7 ultimate RTS" and should pay legitimately for it.

[t0yrobo]

You can do a normal full install with the student version. I don't recall if it claims to be an upgrade or not since I just downloaded the iso so I didn't have to play for shipping. But it installs exactly as you'd expect it to.