Get the student discount for Windows 7–even if you're not a student

As the Windows 7 roll out continues, the folks over at PC Magazine have posted answers to their readers’ top questions about the new OS.  One in particular caught my eye:

Q: How can I qualify for the Student price of Windows 7? What about the OEM pricing?

A: You really just need an e-mail account from an institution of higher learning. When I tested a recent alumna coworker's address from the University of Colorado, it was accepted immediately. To get this bargain-basement price of $30, head to http://www.win741.com. OEM pricing is intended for system builders, and usually buying a major system component like a motherboard or hard drive qualifies you for a price considerably lower than what you'd pay for the retail box. But some part sellers will offer the lower price to all takers. Note that the OEM version won't come with both 64-bit and 32-bit discs, nor will it include support from Microsoft.

So even if you’re technically no longer in college, but have access to an ".EDU" email address, you qualify for the Windows 7 student discount could potentially still take advantage of the offer—at your own risk (see update below). If you’re a student at a college or other educational institution that doesn’t provide an email address, you might still qualify. Check this link at Microsoft.

[Update: Should you possess a ".EDU" address and decide to take advantage of the student discount, note Microsoft's terms and conditions: "Microsoft or Digital River may contact you to verify that you are a current student. If documentation is not provided indicating that you are a current student, you will be liable to reimburse Microsoft for the difference between what you paid and the estimated retail price of the software."–Ed.]

For more, see our ongoing Windows 7 coverage and commentary, including “Windows 7: To upgrade or not to upgrade?” –Nick K. Mandle

Comments

[Michael Denny]

Tigerdirect.com sells Windows 7 Pro OEM for $149. OEM means that Win7 can only be installed on one machine. Unlike the usual Windows, it cannot be moved from one machine to another -- in theory. In practice, if you want to move an OEM product to a new machine, you need to call MS and give them a sob story about how your old machine fell in a river or caught fire or similar.

[Thom]

Remember this also: search for win741 + digitalriver + problems to see what issues those who have already purchased from this company. First, you don't get a download, you get an application that does the download separately.

Second, the download is not an ISO file. And ISO file is what you burn to a blank DVD so that you can run the installation without being in Windows. These files you just downloaded will actually only run inside Windows. If you have Vista, it is an upgrade. If it is XP, it will erase everything.

Third, thanks to some folks out there, there is a way to create an ISO. Again use the serach criteria above and add "+ ISO"

Hope that helps.

[jason]

Martin:
Devry does give you a student email. Its through windows live mail but its still a .edu email. Just go to windows live and put in your first name initial and last name@my.devry.edu - so if your name is john smith it would be jsmith@my.devry.edu and your password is your birthyear and birth month (YYYYMM). hope that helps!

[Martin Rodriguez]

What if you attend a university (like Devry) that doesn't offer an email address to their students?

[Jonathan]

This is a good deal, though a probably better one is available. This deal will get you Windows 7 Home Premium for $29.99, but there is also a way, through the same system, to get Windows 7 Professional for $29.99

Check out http://ultimatesteal.com

You'll be sent to Microsoft's student deal center, where you can get all kinds of major discounts.

But, in my opinion Pro > Home Premium.

Though in retrospect, having Home Premium might have made the actual upgrade process a tad easier as i had vista home premium, but in the end, Pro has more features than Home Premium.

Good luck!

[vree]

According to the terms and conditions (listed here: http://drh.img.digitalriver.com/store/mswpus/ContentTheme/pbPage.Terms )

Promotion Eligibility: This offer is good only to eligible students who attend an educational institution geographically located in the United States. This offer is non-transferable. Only one product may be purchased per eligible student (but not required).

The following conditions serve to define student eligibility for the Promotion:

1. .edu: Individual must possess a valid e-mail address at a U.S. educational institution which contains the domain suffix .edu; OR
Pre-Approved School List: Enrolled in a U.S. educational institution included on the pre-approved school list; OR
Submission of school enrollment: Submit verifiable school enrollment via the validation process; AND

2. Individual must be a student at a U.S. educational institution and must be actively enrolled in at least 0.5 course credit and be able to provide proof of enrollment upon request.

Microsoft or Digital River may contact you to verify that you are a current student. If documentation is not provided indicating that you are a current student, you will be liable to reimburse Microsoft for the difference between what you paid and the estimated retail price of the software.

I hope I'm wrong but it sounds like PC Magazine is giving bad info about licensing.

[Steve]

Wouldn't getting a student discount when you are not a student be fraud?

[Nicholas Kolman-Mandle]

Quite right on both counts, Will and Jason. Any non-student who looks to use a ".edu" email address to get the Windows 7 discount does so with some risk. See disclaimer, added above.

–Nick Mandle, Asst. Editor

[Jason F]

In the details they say anyone who purchases a copy may be asked for further proof.

From the user agreement:
"2. Individual must be a student at a U.S. educational institution and must be actively enrolled in at least 0.5 course credit and be able to provide proof of enrollment upon request.

Microsoft or Digital River may contact you to verify that you are a current student. If documentation is not provided indicating that you are a current student, you will be liable to reimburse Microsoft for the difference between what you paid and the estimated retail price of the software. "

Buyer beware, they may end up charging you for the full package. Thats what prevented me from using my alum email.

[Will B.]

This is not correct, the end user license agreement clearly states that you must be a student to take advantage of this offer. The resellers are selling it to anyone with a .edu address, and you may not get caught, but technically you must be a student to use the student discount.