vista coming to end of life?

[ilikefree]

Yes, but only for one year, sadly. It's like when you mess with the Registry to force XP to download POSReady 2009 and Server 2003 updates, it's easily possible and it works because POSReady is XP SP3 with minor changes.
I wish Vista was loved more... I would probably never put up with Win 7 these days because I can't stand the modern task bar system.

Use classic shell

 

[Jody Thornton]

Use classic shell

But how does Classic Shell make Vista add longevity to its support?

 

[Ex_Brit]

To the OP. I upgraded from Vista to 7 specifically so I would have the opportunity to upgrade to 10 when I decide.
There are still W7 Home Premium licenses to be had, how about this one: https://softwaregeeks.co.uk/product...P5PQNqHayMATsz-MQoQWb51qggNrU0q0goaAq_J8P8HAQ
But I would try to find a W7 Ultimate with SP1 one of you can.....more bang for your money.

 

[townsbg]

Note that this is an OEM license.

Windows 7 Home Premium OEM Product Key Label – Activate 32 or 64 bit versions.

Also I'm concerned that this wouldn't activate which would explain why it is so cheap.

This listing is for 1 piece of Branded (Dell, HP Lenovo etc) or Non-Branded Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium CoA label with activation key for 1 PC / 1 User – Key can be used on any make of computer. The C.O.A has been taken from a decommissioned PC.

It is my understanding that OEM licenses will only ever activate on 1 pc unless it is a license specifically for more than 1 pc. http://winsupersite.com/article/win...indows-7-oem-packaging-is-not-for-individuals

 

[SIW2]

To the OP. I upgraded from Vista to 7 specifically so I would have the opportunity to upgrade to 10 when I decide.
There are still W7 Home Premium licenses to be had, how about this one: https://softwaregeeks.co.uk/product...P5PQNqHayMATsz-MQoQWb51qggNrU0q0goaAq_J8P8HAQ
But I would try to find a W7 Ultimate with SP1 one of you can.....more bang for your money.

Looks like good value.

 

[ilikefree]

But how does Classic Shell make Vista add longevity to its support?

It won't but you can change the way 7 looks to make it more like Vista

 

[matt4x4]

To the OP. I upgraded from Vista to 7 specifically so I would have the opportunity to upgrade to 10 when I decide.
There are still W7 Home Premium licenses to be had, how about this one: https://softwaregeeks.co.uk/product...P5PQNqHayMATsz-MQoQWb51qggNrU0q0goaAq_J8P8HAQ
But I would try to find a W7 Ultimate with SP1 one of you can.....more bang for your money.

Their products seem to be all sold out except for W7 Pro 32/64bit, so I went ahead and bought 3, received my codes right away on "Order Complete Page" This would have been the same price from a brick and mortor store but instead I get 3 copies not 1. Thanks for the link, I really hope its legit. Its from the UK and used a credit card so there is recourse.

20 pounds for W7, makes it like $30 or $40CDN, cheapest I have found yet.
Is it a legit copy?

I've always had problems with Vista, since 2007 when I bought the system I would say I've gotten "Programs Stopped Responding" since 2011 and its been getting worse. I have tons of web pages open, non that are youtube, and World of Tanks online game sometimes as well. Once I start getting a certain number of web pages with their multiple tabs I start getting that problem. I am about to do a fresh install of Vista onto a SSD-HD from the orginial HD. I will leave the Original as a backup, but luckily I have Vista ISO file. I might just buy that Software Geeks software. $40cdn I cant go wrong.

I am not sure how Ultimate is better, I do remember seeing the comparison chart between the difference versions of the same o/s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions

This is it Pro -> Ent/Ult

Aero glass remoting[SUP][46][/SUP][SUP][47][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Windows Media Player multimedia redirection[SUP][47][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes[SUP][41][/SUP]	Yes[SUP][41][/SUP]
Audio recording over Remote Desktop Connection[SUP][47][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Multi-display Remote Desktop Connection[SUP][47][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Enterprise search scopes[SUP][45][/SUP][SUP]:130[/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Federated search[SUP][48][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
BitLocker Drive Encryption	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
BranchCache Distributed Cache	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
DirectAccess	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Subsystem for Unix-based Applications	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Supports Multilingual User Interface packages	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) enhancements[SUP][45][/SUP][SUP]:130[/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) licensed[SUP][49][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
VHD booting[SUP][f][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Switching between any of the 37 available languages[SUP][51][/SUP][SUP][52][/SUP]	No	No	No	No	Yes[SUP][52][/SUP]	Yes[SUP][52][/SUP]
Features	Starter	Home Basic	Home Premium	Professional	Enterprise	Ultimate

 

[matt4x4]

Note that this is an OEM license.


Also I'm concerned that this wouldn't activate which would explain why it is so cheap.



It is my understanding that OEM licenses will only ever activate on 1 pc unless it is a license specifically for more than 1 pc. http://winsupersite.com/article/win...indows-7-oem-packaging-is-not-for-individuals

Sorry, dont mean to spam the thread.
I have read, in this forum, some people having luck with replacing old mobo's with upgraded ones and still activating their store bought OEM Vista.

I am not sold on that Vista is any good due to the problems I have been having, as noted above, but I think the Vista issue is like a Ford, GM, Dodge Truck rivalry. To me that automaker rivalry never made much sense, besides the solid front axle vs independant front suspension debate.

 

[townsbg]

Starting with Vista Microsoft tied a OEM serial number with the motherboard and because of this Windows will not activate on another motherboard unless the serial number is specifically licensed for multiple computers which of course costs more money. It is not like a retail copy where you have the right to put it on any computer that you want (provided that you don't exceed the max number of concurrent installs). This is done to save the builders money but because of this Microsoft put restrictions on it after all you as the consumer didn't have to go to a store to buy a copy of windows to put on your brand new computer.

What?s the Difference Between the ?System Builder? and ?Full Version? Editions of Windows?

 

[Barman58]

We have seen at least one user ( at Sevenforums.com ), who purchased from the software geeks site and the Operating system turned out to be an illegal counterfeit - this fact did not show up immediately, but this is not unusual as Microsoft's servers can take a while to get round to checking a specific Licence.

This may of course be a one off, (although a search of the net at the time did bring up more hits), but being as the going rate for a legit copy of Windows 7 Is approximately $150 or higher, I would be careful about any on-line offers considerably lower that this