Windows 7 and Anti Virus

[Carnage]

I'm building my first gaming/video editing PC and I'm looking to see which windows 7 should I buy and if anyone know where I can get a cheap copy at.

 

Plus since I've always been on Mac I never had a Anitvirus and I was wondering what was the best antivirus for PC?

 

[bacosta1993]

microsoft security essentials, it is free and comes preinstalled on windows 8. 

 

 

PS: You should really get windows 8 because of the performance increase.

[Carnage]

microsoft security essentials, it is free and comes preinstalled on windows 8. 

 

 

PS: You should really get windows 8 because of the performance increase.

I didn't know the performance increased I thought it took away the start button and added that windows phone layout lol.

 

But I heard that windows 8 sometimes had problems with games. But I would get anything that works fine and is not expensive

[GoodBytes]

Start Button is still there. It appears when you move your mouse at the bottom left corner. In Win8.1 (maybe an option or set by default) to have a Start button there showing, all the time.

 

Unlike many people say (most of them, never tried Win8, and only look at screen shots, much like people saying that Win7 task bar a direct replica to MacOS task bar, which we all know is completely false), the Start Screen is powerful, and customizable. You can pin to it any program or folder you want to have direct access. It's like a Start Menu, but full screen, without the restrictions of the Start Menu. The way you position things, is from the most used at the bottom left corner of the screen, and the least used, at the far right top.

 

And of course, like Win7, the most used programs, you pin on the task bar, for quick access.

 

While it looks like a mobile menu, it works pretty damn well with a  keyboard and mouse. And really awesomely with the touch pad, as touchpad main problem, is the lack of precision. Great to move around on the screen, but when you need precisions, it's a pain.  So large tiles/icons is great.

 

Here is my Start Screen on my desktop computer: http://www.helpweaver.com/dss.png

It's an old screen shots, right now it's the same, just more games. I like this, as I have direct access to my games.

[CrzyChinook]

ninite.com..... all problems fixed!!!

[Carnage]

Thanks alot for the reply and  where can I get Windows 7/8 cheap? Because most places I've seen their like $300-$400 but there are different types and don't know which to get.

[GoodBytes]

They are different ways to get Windows 8 for cheap.

-> If you are a student, and your college or university is registered to MSDNAA program from Microsoft, you have access to almost ALL Microsoft software for free. Basically everything is there, except Office (I guess Microsoft needs to make money from you, somehow). Contact your University or College IT department, and they should know all the details, on how to access the site and your login information.

-> If you are a student, from any level of school, you can enjoy Windows 8 Pro upgrade edition for really cheap. On the Microsoft Online Store, click on Student, to know the available offers:

Canada: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/list/ThemeID.27659600/categoryID.57607500

U.S: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.264954100?icid=Student_WhatsNew2_Windows8_050813

It's available in other regions. As I don't know where you live, I just put e links above. If you have trouble finding it, let me know, and I'll help you out.

You also have Office on special, and possibly other promos. Like in the U.S you have 10% discount on computers sold on Microsoft Store, and if you buy a touchscreen laptop, you get Office for free.

In order to use Windows 8 Pro Upgrade, you need a genuine Windows XP, Vista, or 7 license somewhere that you will not use anymore, as you'll put Win8. (This is required for the first install of the upgrade edition of WIn8. Later, you can do a clean install)

-> You can buy the System Builder (refer as OEM) license of Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro (get the Pro). System Builder version of Windows, is the full version of Windows, as you would buy it in stores. However, you don't have support, or a nice box package, and you pay less.

http://www.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=Windows+8+OEM

As you can see on the above link, Windows 8 Pro is only 150$!

It must be noted that, if you buy Windows 7 OEM, technically speaking, you need to sale the computer to somewhat, and you can't use it for yourself, if you follow the license agreement to the letter. Also, the license is tied to your motherboard. So if you change your motherboard to a different model (let's say you upgrade your computer), you need to buy a new license of Windows 7, as activation will fail.

For Windows 8 in the other hand, all you need to do, is once installed, go the following link: http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx and agree to the Personal Use License, and that give you the right to use the license of Windows for yourself, and transfer it to another computer. Make sure you click on the right version of Windows when you get on the page.

I hope all these ways is helpful to get a genuine version of Windows, on the cheap!

[R4STABAN]

300-400? What currency is that? Are you looking at windows server or something 0_0?

 

For a basic gaming machine windows 7 home premium is fine, pro and ultimate have some extra stuff - for the average user they're usually not worth the extra cost.

 

I use eset smart security for antivirus.

 

Macs need antivirus too.

[arkon]

300-400? What currency is that? Are you looking at windows server or something 0_0?

 

Windows is pretty damn expensive...

[GoodBytes]

Windows Server base license is 749.99$ Canadian/US

Windows 7 Home Premium is/was 199.99$ for personal use license (retail, that is)

Windows 8 Pro (highest edition of Windows 8) is 149$

 

Windows 8 Pro is almost 100$ cheaper than the Windows 7 Home Premium...

 

Windows 7 Ultimate (so that you have all the added features of Windows 8 Pro for proper comparison) is 319.99$.

So, Windows 8 Pro is considerably cheaper.

 

 

Windows 8 (non-Pro) is 104$ Canadian. Might as well get the Pro for only 45$ more.

[Carnage]

They are different ways to get Windows 8 for cheap.

-> If you are a student, and your college or university is registered to MSDNAA program from Microsoft, you have access to almost ALL Microsoft software for free. Basically everything is there, except Office (I guess Microsoft needs to make money from you, somehow). Contact your University or College IT department, and they should know all the details, on how to access the site and your login information.

-> If you are a student, from any level of school, you can enjoy Windows 8 Pro upgrade edition for really cheap. On the Microsoft Online Store, click on Student, to know the available offers:

Canada: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/list/ThemeID.27659600/categoryID.57607500

U.S: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.264954100?icid=Student_WhatsNew2_Windows8_050813

It's available in other regions. As I don't know where you live, I just put e links above. If you have trouble finding it, let me know, and I'll help you out.

You also have Office on special, and possibly other promos. Like in the U.S you have 10% discount on computers sold on Microsoft Store, and if you buy a touchscreen laptop, you get Office for free.

In order to use Windows 8 Pro Upgrade, you need a genuine Windows XP, Vista, or 7 license somewhere that you will not use anymore, as you'll put Win8. (This is required for the first install of the upgrade edition of WIn8. Later, you can do a clean install)

-> You can buy the System Builder (refer as OEM) license of Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro (get the Pro). System Builder version of Windows, is the full version of Windows, as you would buy it in stores. However, you don't have support, or a nice box package, and you pay less.

http://www.ncix.com/search/?categoryid=0&q=Windows+8+OEM

As you can see on the above link, Windows 8 Pro is only 150$!

It must be noted that, if you buy Windows 7 OEM, technically speaking, you need to sale the computer to somewhat, and you can't use it for yourself, if you follow the license agreement to the letter. Also, the license is tied to your motherboard. So if you change your motherboard to a different model (let's say you upgrade your computer), you need to buy a new license of Windows 7, as activation will fail.

For Windows 8 in the other hand, all you need to do, is once installed, go the following link: http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx and agree to the Personal Use License, and that give you the right to use the license of Windows for yourself, and transfer it to another computer. Make sure you click on the right version of Windows when you get on the page.

I hope all these ways is helpful to get a genuine version of Windows, on the cheap!

Thanks alot for this I will most probably get the windows 8 pro version.