This launches a wizard and on the menu you’ll see an option to Use the automated phone system to activate. Select Properties then scroll down and click on Activate Windows Now. Trial versions also offered 30 days at no cost, but even these seem to have fallen by the wayside as the platform ages.Ĭlick Start then right-click on Computer. Now this feature has been removed, and the site requires the Product Key before you can even begin the download. Up until recently it was possible to download the ISO (an installable digital copy) of Windows 7 from Microsoft for free, but you still needed the Product Key to activate the system. Windows has always been a paid product and Windows 7 is no exception, even now when Microsoft no longer sells the software.

Sure, the OS is old in technology terms, but that doesn’t mean that it’s worthless. For example, onĮBay you’ll pick one up below £25 (these are often bundled with a free broken laptop or PC, most likely because there is a lot of confusion surrounding Microsoft’s OEM licence terms). Windows OEM discs are fine for personal use, and you’ll pick them up online for much less than Microsoft charges for the full boxed edition.

If you can’t get an old Windows 7 PC for free, you can certainly get a copy of the software on the cheap. We’ll detail this option further below.Īnother option we’ll look at below is how you can perform a free downgrade from Windows 8 Pro or Windows 10 Pro to Windows 7 Pro. PC for which you didn’t pay a penny – perhaps one that’s been passed on to you from a friend or relative or one you’ve picked up fromįreecycle, for example. It also runs very smoothly compared to XP and Vista and its taskbar and other elements use very slightly less screen real estate.The only legal way to get a completely free copy of Windows 7 is by transferring a licence from another Windows 7 Enough elements more (such as the Start Menu) closely resemble its predecessors though that it's still fairly familiar for anyone moving to it and overall its changes are positive and efficient. 7 reordered major interface elements and applets from the Control Panel and beyond. The biggest changes to Windows 7 aren't as obvious as booting up to the desktop (though the background and default colours differ from Vista!). In many respects it is very moderate sitting at the centre of a web of operating systems with many different traits. Compared to its predecessor it provides high speeds and streamlines the interface while maintaining valuable features such as the User Account Control sandbox and the Aero graphical enhancements.

Windows 7 is a version of Windows that succeeded Windows Vista.

Swati Mishra Updated 3 years ago Another Strong Entry In A Venerable Operating System Legacy

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