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Filed under: Features, Windows, Microsoft, Lists

7 great ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free!)

Windows 7

Here at Download Squad, we like saving money. We love finding freebies, and we're certainly not ashamed to walk up to the cash register with a fistful of coupons. Since the announcement of the Windows 7 pricing scheme, we've been looking for ways to cut the costs to make the move.

We've compiled a list of seven ways you can get that Windows 7 goodness without shelling out quite as many bucks. Read on for savings!

Read more →

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Windows x64

Windows 7 RTM downloads now available via TechNet and MSDN


Maybe you won't have the chance to get pumped and show off your gold RTM DVD like Steve Ballmer, but if you've got a TechNet/MSDN subscription your downloads are finally ready.

This means that those of you with access who have (wisely) avoided downloading anything from other sources can now get in on the action. As you can see in the screenshot of my Google Reader feed, the Windows Automated Installation Kits are also available.

If you've got a subscription, head on over and get your download on - and enjoy your shiny new Windows 7 RTM!

Filed under: Blogging, Microsoft, Commercial

Download from Technet yesterday? You're a dirty pirate, says MS

Remember how I drew the similarity between Jack Napier dumping cash on the unsuspecting rubes of Gotham and Microsoft opening Technet to anyone who filled out a form?

Well, the poisonous gas has been released.

According to a lengthy phone call between blogger Kristan Kenney and a Technet support rep, you weren't supposed to have access to that offer. If you downloaded keys or software and weren't one of the select few actually invited in my Microsoft, you're a dirty pirate.

Don't use those product keys - they've been blacklisted, and WGA will eat you alive and burn down your house if you try to use them. They can see which keys were provided to which subscriber, and they'll track you down.

I understand that the link was leaked by someone outside Microsoft and they can't be blamed for the mayhem that ensued, but come on. Is this the best solution they could come up with? What's next? Waterboarding to find the original source of the leak?

Oh well. At least we still have our Windows 7 RC to use for free until next year.

Filed under: Developer, OS Updates, Microsoft, Commercial

Microsoft gets drunk, gives away Technet subscriptions


Ok, so I can't actually back that title up with any actual evidence, but when Microsoft pulls a Jack Napier and starts throwing money on the people of Gotham, you assume something is up.

Regardless, they're handing out free subscriptions to TechNet Plus - which normally run $349. Sign up via the appropriate link for the US, Canada, or the UK (readers in other countries may be out of luck), complete the registration forms, and you'll get access to all the glorious goodies in the TechNet vault. Despite my misgivings about the certificate warnings and badly-rendered page layouts, this is the real deal.

There are, of course, a couple catches. First, it appears as though the program will expire on September 30 - not a terrible thing, since you'll still get three full months of downloads and access. Second - and a much bigger issue - is that product key troubles abound.

It's all fine and dandy to have access to download things like Windows Home Server and Office 2007 straight from Microsoft, but access to legitimate keys is equally (or perhaps more) important.

That said, with a little patience and several re-clicks, I've managed to secure keys for Home Server and Office 2007 - so it does work.

Update: with IE8 and compatibility mode enabled, I'm having very good results getting product keys (9:36AM Central)

Update: Even better results when using Opera 10. WTH?


Update: Original links may no longer be working...Try this product link, as suggested in the comments:


Quick, go sign up before they come to their senses!

[via Ars Technica]

Filed under: Developer, Internet, News, Windows, Linux, Microsoft

Microsoft launches Linux website

ms linux websiteMicrosoft is at Linuxworld (in flame retardant suits no doubt), and they've already taken the wraps off their free version of Virtual Server. So what's left? How about a site on how MS is trying to make all their toys play nice with Linux? Named Port25, the site is supposed to be an open view of what Microsoft is doing for interoperability between their tools and Linux offerings, without all that FUD... We shall see how devoid of FUD the site really is when it launches, but as of right now there's still nothing there (3:10pm EST). Bill Hilf, the new guy in charge of the MS Linux operations, had this to say about the affair: "The reality is that customers run different technologies. ... We’re still a commercial software company, but in some cases people want to run Linux, want to run Windows virtualized, want to manage Linux using [Microsoft products]. In those situations, we can find a way to interoperate." Yeah, that works for me too.

[Via CIO Magazine]

Featured Time Waster

The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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