Windows 7 Ultimate

[Disturbedguy]

Hey,

I am looking to buy Windows 7 ultimate, I want the 64bit version, i notice on scan it says 32 & 64 bit.
How does this work in regards me installing and getting 64 bit?

[watercooled]

Provided you're buying retail, not OEM you get both discs (one for 32, one for 64) in the one box.

[Disturbedguy]

cheers yeah buying retail

[ForceI]

It comes with two discs, one for 32 bit install the other 64 bit, however I did notice when ordering my copy that you can buy 32 or 64 bit OEM versions. Not sure what the difference is other than the lack of the second disc and a saving of a few quid though.

[watercooled]

OEM has a different license, the software is the same but it's not intended to be purchased by end users i.e. it's meant to come installed on a computer but other than that you get no support and the license forbids you from transferring it to another computer (it's tied to your motherboard). As the difference isn't huge (about £4-5 last time I checked) I'd go for the retail one and save yourself the trouble in future if you decide to upgrade your system.

[nightkhaos]

Any particular reason you need Ultimate? Do you often work in multiple lanuages? I mean to say: save a few quid or go for Professional. Or even Home Premium if the redeming features of Professional (Domains, Offline files, etc) are not worth the extra to you.

[Disturbedguy]

To be honest there was no particular reason so to speak, I just fancied it. I have spare money at the moment being newly single and all so retail therapy. I am always looking to try and improve the knowledge I have in regards to computers and stuff, so I feel having an OS that would allow me to do what I want when I want is better.

I will probably be back here asking questions relating to other stuff once I have my PC rebuilt...so be warned

[nightkhaos]

To be honest there was no particular reason so to speak, I just fancied it. I have spare money at the moment being newly single and all so retail therapy. I am always looking to try and improve the knowledge I have in regards to computers and stuff, so I feel having an OS that would allow me to do what I want when I want is better.

I will probably be back here asking questions relating to other stuff once I have my PC rebuilt...so be warned

No problem, but I believe Professional fits that catagory. Ulimate is more of a "oh look at me!" OS than anything else. Considering the difference between them is only a few deca-quid, it's really up to you.

[Disturbedguy]

Yeah I know your right...I just..wanted it lol. First new OS in a while, so should be fun.

[watercooled]

I didn't realise you said Ultimate sorry and nightkhaos is spot on - check the feature comparison between the versions and unless you need domain logon/bitlocker I can't think of any reason to go higher than home premium TBH.

[12GaugeShotty]

Any particular reason you need Ultimate? Do you often work in multiple lanuages? I mean to say: save a few quid or go for Professional. Or even Home Premium if the redeming features of Professional (Domains, Offline files, etc) are not worth the extra to you.

That's the same thing I asked myself. Did I really need BitLocker? Did I really need Virtual XP Mode? Did I really need EFS? Do I need to be able to restore across a network?

My answer was "no" to all of those. I don't need BitLocker. I use VirtualBox for my VM needs. I don't want to encrypt files. I use Acronis TrueImage for backup needs.

So I saved $80 by getting the Home Premium OEM over the Ultimate OEM versions. No need to waste money with things I don't need.