Windows 7... we want to know what you want to know!

I just checked for desktop OS purchased through TechSoup on one of my clients.  They also have XP Pro as MAK and Windows Vista/7 as KMS.  Can anyone attest to how the Vista licenses, if purchased directly (not the software assurance) from TechSoup came as MAK or KMS?  If the purchased ones come as MAK, then you might need to buy more MAK licenses to get them.  Perhaps Software Assurance is always KMS?

Hi,

I went to https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/LicenseKeys/NewProductKeys.aspx. At the top it has a button so you can request MAK keys. I was able to get a MAK on each of the previous KMS keys. Hope this info helps someone. We're currently testing the new Windows 7. Similar to Vista....only I'd say faster. Haven't dug in to the security features yet.

Hello Biznic,

My name is Tara and I work with the Windows Outreach Team. I am sorry to hear you are having issues with Vista! Windows 7 is getting great feedback from testers and hopefully your issues will be resolved. You can learn more about the upcoming features and improvements in Windows 7 here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/. Upgrade options are very reasonable, and I am happy to look into nonprofit deals that may make purchasing an upgrade feasible for your organization. Feel free to contact my directly through this forum with more information about your organization and I will do what I can to help.

Yours,

Tara

Windows Outreach Team

Hello Dave,

Great information! To check if your computer is compatible with Windows 7 you can check out this resource on the windows site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx. Feel free to contact me with any Windows 7 questions you have!

Yours,

Tara

Windows Outreach Team

Hello Chris,

Thanks for sharing the great information about Windows 7! I am glad you are enjoying Window's Release Candidate and I look forward to future discussions as more people have discussion topics regarding Windows. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!

Yours,

Tara

Windows Outreach Team

Hello Xand,

Great feedback! I am glad you are enjoying the Window's Release Candidate, feel free to connect with any questions you have about Windows 7.

Yours,

Tara

Windows Outreach Team

Hello ymcaharrison,

My name is Tara and I work with the Windows Outreach Team. Windows 7 should resolve many of the issues you are having with Vista. To learn more about key differences check out this article: http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=3236&page=2. Overall Windows 7 Beta and RC are getting great reviews, please let me know if you have any specific questions I can help resolve.

Yours,

Tara

Windows Outreach Team

Hello Steve,

To see if your PC is compatible with a Windows 7 upgrade run the 'upgrade advisor' available on the Windows website for free: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx. Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Yours,

Tara

Windows Outreach Team

Hello Tara!

I was wondering if you (or someone from techsoup) can help me with a donation question.  Last August, our organization requested (I think) our full 2 year allotment of Microsoft products.  I know that there is a special "dispensation" for those that have requested their 1 year allotment, but does this also apply for those who have reached their 2 year allotment?

Thank You for your help!

~Mark

Well, the only thing open to you, I believe, is if you didn't actualy max out the number of licenses.  For example, you get 6 titles, 50 licenses (unless its a server title).  So, if you only picked up 30 MS Office licenses, you could order the remaining 20. If you used up all 6 titles, you can't buy another title, just licenses in the titles you already have.

Good news:

If you purchased Windows Vista Business, you'll get access to Windows 7 since all TechSoup licenses are donated with Software Assurance for 2 years.

If you didn't, you still qualify for regular charity upgrade pricing at about $50 ish per seat.

Mark,

  If you are referring to the special ordering allowance for Windows 7, this is available to all eligible organizations regardless of where they may be within the normal Microsoft donation cycle. You can learn more about that in our recent blog post which states "Your organization can request Windows 7 through TechSoup even if you've already received a Microsoft donation this year. Microsoft is allowing organizations to place one extra order this year for ONLY Windows 7 (or Vista) up until January 31, 2010. Learn more about Microsoft's donation program through TechSoup"

  I did notice some things on your account that we should discuss and I will email you directly with more information.

Autumn

Apparently, the Tech Soup donation doesn't allow a user to upgrade from Windows 7 Home to a higher version of Windows7, such as Pro or Ultimate.    It is limited to upgrading from older OS, such as Vista and XP.

thanks for the extra special opportunity to acquire Windows 7 licenses.

my question is:   If I order 10 Windows 7 licenses today, can I order another 30 licenses come January 1, 2010 - when I am in a new budget year - without using up any Microsoft order opportunities (the two year period; six title  thing) ?

thomas

Hi Thomas,

  All of the other Microsoft restrictions still apply. The Microsoft program is based on the dates of your requests and not the calendar or fiscal year. For more information, please review the Microsoft FAQ: http://www.techsoup.org/stock/ms_program_faq.asp

Autumn

thanks for the quick reply.

sorry, I still have a question perhaps I can phase it better this time:

I desire to purchase some licenses of Windows 7 today.  Can I add licenses in January 2010 ?

(I am concerned about the Microsoft limits of orders in a one/two year period as I may desire some other Microsoft titles in 2010 and 2011: I have not purchase MS products for over 2 years currently)

thanks for a reply.