Confused about XP replacement options

davebu

Hi,

I know this kind of thing has been discussed before, but don't think this exact question has been asked before...

I've got a perfectly good desktop (which I want to keep), but I'm currently on XP and am a bit worried about continuing with XP after it expires, so would like to move to a later version of Windows.

Now I don't want to start an argument on Windows 8, but I use it at work and (even with Classic Shell) I hate it, so that's not an option.

And I believe I can't buy Windows 7 retail any more? And technically, I'm not supposed to buy Windows 7 OEM if I'm going to be using it on the exact same equipment that I'm currently using for XP?

So what am I supposed to do? Do I have to buy Windows 8 retail and then down(up)grade to Windows 7?

Thanks

grumpycrab

Option1. Keep XP (use CHROME and MSE for updates under XP for another 12months or so.)

2nd will it work with windows7
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/downloads/upgrade-advisor
A license is about £40
e.g. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131105344457
Media is readily available from digitalriver
(I assume you know if your computer is 32 or 64bit).

EDIT: if you go for Windows7 it will wipe XP and so backup your data and/or use Easy Transfer
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

JJ_Egan

And I believe I can't buy Windows 7 retail any more

Not at all true see google search .

The difference between win 7 and win 8 is not something i actually notice in use .

RumRat

Windows 7 will be the same as using Windows 8 with Classic shell. So, you'll probably 'hate' that as well.

davebu

Yep, I know my computer is capable of running W7, and I know it's 64 bit, and I'm OK with backing up my data and doing a fresh install of W7.

It's just that I was under the impression that OEM software (like the eBay link) was for system builders and that you were only supposed to use it when building a new machine?

So, if I buy an OEM W7 licence off eBay (or preferably Amazon as I have some vouchers), there will be no activation problems, even though MS will clearly see it's the same IP that I activated XP from and that it's the exact same machine (motherboard and all components)?

grumpycrab

Aren't you buying OEM 7 with new bits to rebuild your PC? Are you going to tell Microsoft about all those new bits?

closed

this is becoming year 2000 mk2, the fact that a machine is potentially open to an exploit or a future exploit on one or more of the billions of webpages around, does not mean it will happen to your machine

backup with disk imaging software (eg macrium free), keep your virus scanner upto date, stop worrying, the machine will still work after april. If it does happen to get infected one day with something a virus scanner misses, for whatever reason, a restore from backup will undo any damage in as little as 5 minutes.

JJ_Egan

A new Oem only falls foul of the system when hardware is changed after activation .

You can always run XP until whenever a serious security flaw is not updated .
Just like all the ATM and banking machines etc all running XP .

RumRat

The banks are moving toward W7/8. Until they have, most have purchased extended support packages from MS which will protect them beyond the sunset date to enable the testing of the new systems. It's not advisable to use ATM's as a yardstick to judge if you should wait or not.

TonyBroke

davebu wrote: »

It's just that I was under the impression that OEM software (like the eBay link) was for system builders and that you were only supposed to use it when building a new machine?

So, if I buy an OEM W7 licence off eBay (or preferably Amazon as I have some vouchers), there will be no activation problems, even though MS will clearly see it's the same IP that I activated XP from and that it's the exact same machine (motherboard and all components)?

I have only ever used OEM copies of Windows 7 for friend and family machines (mostly upgrades to XP boxes, like you) and have never had any problems activating. My own PC (Windows 7) did demand to be reactivated after I put in a new motherboard and CPU but I just did a telephone activation with absolutely no bother.

emptybox

davebu wrote: »

Yep, I know my computer is capable of running W7, and I know it's 64 bit, and I'm OK with backing up my data and doing a fresh install of W7.

It's just that I was under the impression that OEM software (like the eBay link) was for system builders and that you were only supposed to use it when building a new machine?

So, if I buy an OEM W7 licence off eBay (or preferably Amazon as I have some vouchers), there will be no activation problems, even though MS will clearly see it's the same IP that I activated XP from and that it's the exact same machine (motherboard and all components)?

You can buy Windows 7 OEM, full Retail or Upgrade versions from Amazon, and all should activate fine.

The cheapest seems to about £50 for a slightly dodgy looking Dell branded Win 7 Ultimate 64bit OEM (read the reviews), up to about £160 for the full retail or upgrade versions.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_pg_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awindows+7&keywords=windows+7&ie=UTF8&qid=1394040530

The only thing, with OEM versions, is that the system builder (i.e. you ) provides the support.