Host a party, get Windows 7 free

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 4th September 2009
Comments (42) Stumble
Host a party, get Windows 7 free

If you're willing to put your friendships at risk, host a Windows 7 launch party and get a free Ultimate Signature Edition.

If you're looking for the cheapest possible way to get your hands on Windows 7, you might be interested in a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate - but you'll need some understanding friends.

As reported over on TechRadar, Microsoft is hoping to boost interest in its next-generation operating system by offering the chance to get free limited Signature Editions of the top-end Windows 7 Ultimate OS - by hosting launch day parties.

If you're willing to risk alienating a bunch of your friends, you can apply host a party between the 22nd and 29th of October to be in with a chance of getting both the Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition plus "your very own Windows 7 Party Pack."

Microsoft has very kindly provided a choice of thrilling themes for your party: Media Mania, Setting up with Ease, Family Friendly Fun, and - seriously - "PhotoPalooza." Once you've chosen your theme, you'll receive assistance from "House Party, the world's leading party organizer" and have the opportunity to "upload photos and videos, chat with other hosts, blog your experience, and download fun favours all from your personal House Party page."

While it's certainly a fairly cheap way of getting your hands on the next version of Windows, it remains to be seen just how much fun you could have with a theme of "Setting up with Ease." Rumours of a "take a shot for each exclamation mark in Device Manager" are, as far as can be seen, totally untrue.

Do you think that the offer has tempted you into throwing a Windows 7 Launch Party, or does it smack of pyramid-scheme style selling on Microsoft's part? Can you suggest alternative themes that might make the party a little more interesting? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote DragunovHUN 4th September 2009, 10:04
Signature Edition? Does that provide anything over the standard Ultimate?
Quote gurboura 4th September 2009, 10:04
I think it's a new idea that could actually be of use to Microsoft.

Throw a party and invite family members/friends that aren't technology smart, and show them how Windows 7 stacks up against Vista. It'll be a better atmosphere than going to your local retailer and asking "If I bring in a bag of chips, and share them with you, can you show me how Windows 7 is better than Vista, in a fun, friend environment?"
Quote BentAnat 4th September 2009, 10:11
Take a shot for every time the "ding" error sound plays... hell... i can almost see me hosting this while drunk...
"right... gather around... i am gonna show y'alls what rules about windows seven, and consequentiall- *hic*... consequentially (tomorrow i'll work on my speech impediment) score all this free s*** from Microsoft...
Right... so win7 ships in this AWESOME box, which pretty much looks like a normal windows box... and has loads of awesome s*** going on... I didn't have to install any drivers on my rig, unless i want to actually play games... it does this *show windows snap to sides/maximise/peek features*, and has a new taskbar... it's also WAYYYYY cooler than Vista (and i liekd vista...). Can someone get me some booze, my drink is broken, and all this yapping on about BS is making my throat dry out...
Right... then you have a new taskbar, it's a bit snappier, and thank you microsoft for my free Win7 Ultimate edition... thanks for the dirnk, and let's get f*** like the economy.

Oh... one more thing: it comes with IE8... great browser... almost as good as some of the others... and much better than IE6 for doing... *access some streaming vid pr0n site* *Roaring laughter as i type in something involving midgets and donkeys*...
Cheers."
Quote CardJoe 4th September 2009, 10:11
Quote:
Originally Posted by gurboura
I think it's a new idea that could actually be of use to Microsoft.

Throw a party and invite family members/friends that aren't technology smart, and show them how Windows 7 stacks up against Vista. It'll be a better atmosphere than going to your local retailer and asking "If I bring in a bag of chips, and share them with you, can you show me how Windows 7 is better than Vista, in a fun, friend environment?"

That sounds like the most fun-filled evening I could possibly have with my family and friends.

No. In reality I'd rather stuff barbed wire up my ass. I don't want to be that guy, thanks.
Quote gurboura 4th September 2009, 10:14
Quote:
Originally Posted by CardJoe
That sounds like the most fun-filled evening I could possibly have with my family and friends.

No. In reality I'd rather stuff barbed wire up my ass. I don't want to be that guy, thanks.

For some of my friends and family, they'd probably find it interesting, and I get a free copy of Windows 7, seems like a win-win situation.

Now, if they weren't giving out the free copy of Windows 7, I'd just be handing out DVDs of Windows 7 Eval and charging them to install it
Quote proxess 4th September 2009, 10:22
I value my friendships muuuuuuuch more than I value Windows, even if 7 is better than Vista, It's still worse than Longhorn. Also, I'm an Ubuntu Fanboy.
Quote 500mph 4th September 2009, 10:23
It would be funny if each dorm room here threw a Windows 7 party, and we would just go from room to room.
We get MSDNAA anyways.
Quote licenced 4th September 2009, 10:32
I don't understand how they would know you actually hosted the party - do they need some kind of evidence before sending you the goods?
Quote ashikamlani 4th September 2009, 10:49
Quote:
Originally Posted by licenced
I don't understand how they would know you actually hosted the party - do they need some kind of evidence before sending you the goods?

It says on the website that you have to upload pictures and the like so I guess that's the proof.
Quote antiHero 4th September 2009, 11:48
I could think about having a party with my friends. Install windows 7, have some beer, get free stuff and then uninstall it so my friends could trough a party.


I LIKE FREE STUFF!!!
Quote SBS 4th September 2009, 12:01
Quote:
Originally Posted by DragunovHUN
Signature Edition? Does that provide anything over the standard Ultimate?

Someone's tempted :p
Quote Phil Rhodes 4th September 2009, 12:04
But I don't want windows 7...
Quote Rkiver 4th September 2009, 12:10
Sure why not, a gang of my mates and I are all techies, and any reason for a party. I have multiple machines that we can test it on, including netbooks, laptops, average pcs and bloody powerful ones.
Quote ./^\.Ace./^\. 4th September 2009, 12:54
PhotoPalooza would be great if they gave you a free multi-touch display to play with...

the site says only for residents of the "UNITED STATES" so I guess I wont be signing up...
Quote logan'srun 4th September 2009, 13:01
shoot, I signed up, but sweden's not on the list - so I'll see if i get it or not.

I think it would be fun (at least if you include doing shot's everytime it says 'please wait' or something like that)

besides, it's free so why not?
Quote damienVC 4th September 2009, 13:07
It's my lads 10th birthday during that week. I was going to take him and his mates to Lazermaze followed by a Maccy D's - not any more! Who needs clowns? He'll be well chuffed.
Quote cjmUK 4th September 2009, 13:34
Seems like money for old rope perhaps. If I didn't already have an RTM copy of Ultimate x64 and if my family lived nearer, I'd host a party. You mess about for an hour or so, and get £200 worth of software in return. And the silver lining is that one or more relatives might actually decide to upgrade or buy a new W7 PC - thus making my life that bit easier. Surely I can't be the only one remotely supporting a gaggle of family and friends? The awkward minority are still stuck on XP, which is a PITA since it's 3 years since I last used it in anger.

Sure, it's hardly cool, but it's a good deal.
Quote cjmUK 4th September 2009, 13:37
Quote:
Originally Posted by damienVC
It's my lads 10th birthday during that week. I was going to take him and his mates to Lazermaze followed by a Maccy D's - not any more! Who needs clowns? He'll be well chuffed.

+1 Rep. You are a god.

My daughter's brithday is October 21st - problem solved... assuming I can pass of a screaming 5 years olds as 'key decision makers with purchasing authority', that copy is mine!
Quote RichCreedy 4th September 2009, 15:07
have applied, any excuse to have a party ;)

like the waiver, you agree that alchohol may be drunk at your party but you wont hold us responsible, blah blah
Quote RichCreedy 4th September 2009, 15:10
I am currently running windows 7 on my machine, there were no exclamation marks in my device manager, even my vcr2pc is working as it should
Quote crazyceo 4th September 2009, 16:41
This is fantastic! Can I ask any of you to be my friend as I don't have many......only a few.......two........any!

Come on you guys, you all visit this site and read up and work on PC's and then you all pretend to have 9 friends or more?

That comment earlier by someone claiming to be an Ubuntu fanboy and talking about throwing a "Longhorn" party! That really won't go down to well when your "pretend" friends turn up and it's just you sitting infront of a PC with linux on it. I'm sure they would be expecting something else entirely.
Quote tin can 4th September 2009, 17:49
Sounds pretty American - y'know, like Avon parties or whatever.
Quote andy1911 4th September 2009, 18:20
whats to stop you saying yeh i will have a party then dont? but still claim your free gift anyway?
Quote pimonserry 4th September 2009, 19:06
You could do it the non-friend-alienating way and just take blurry shots of cardboard cutout 'friends' in order to get your free edition ;)
Quote crazyceo 4th September 2009, 21:25
Quote:
Originally Posted by pimonserry
You could do it the non-friend-alienating way and just take blurry shots of cardboard cutout 'friends' in order to get your free edition ;)

Excellent, my lonely life suddenly just got better! What a fantastic idea. I could even just do a photoshop special. Just get a picture of the last supper, paste my head on Jesus with my arms raised spiritually and a laptop infront of me with the Win7 logo and BAM! Windows 7 Ultimate is mine Baby! Whoooooooo!
Quote Volund 4th September 2009, 21:50
hurm, 4 grandparents, 2 neighbors, parents, and the girlfriend.... looks like I've got 10 people :D, sign me up
Quote SpeedLegion 4th September 2009, 22:08
This has got to be one of the weirder Microsoft ideas I have seen!
Quote RotoSequence 4th September 2009, 23:02
Its a Tupperware Party for an Operating System... but hey, It'll net me a free copy, so... :D
Quote SMIFFYDUDE 5th September 2009, 00:33
I don't have any friends so i'll have to photoshop people into pics of myself and send those off. And if Microsoft don't believe me, i'll remind them of their recent photoshopping attemps over in Poland.
Quote Zeus-Nolan 5th September 2009, 01:35
i might be having a lan at a friends house at that time with about 7 of us, we all are using the RC at the moment and enjoy using windows 7 on our main systems, so its a win for us all if we could get a free copy legally.
Quote SpeedLegion 5th September 2009, 02:11
I'm getting my free copy of 7 because of buying ultimate vista on sale :P
So got vista and 7 ultimate for 80quid :D
Quote The_Beast 5th September 2009, 04:09
does 2 people (one being yourself) constitute a party?


my life = :(
Quote Ghys 5th September 2009, 06:52
Quote:
Originally Posted by 500mph
It would be funny if each dorm room here threw a Windows 7 party, and we would just go from room to room.
We get MSDNAA anyways.

hell yeah I just checked my new MSDNAA account from uni and I have windows 7 ! :D

I also had a retail one from TechNet haha

free licenses is GOOD
Quote SNIPERMikeUK 5th September 2009, 11:44
Sell my soul for a copy of windows?, would'nt be the first time......Sighhh
Quote kenco_uk 5th September 2009, 12:19
How about doing something like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2318029310_02ae8ac99f.jpg

Win Win!
Quote hodgy100 5th September 2009, 19:50
i showed it to my mates as a joke and now they want to do it >.< XD
Quote M7ck 22nd September 2009, 09:02
I got my email this morning:D

I have been confirmed as a party host

Windows 7 for free, the best kind to get ;)

Here is what is coming in my party pack.

All hosts will receive:

•One limited Signature Edition Windows® 7 Ultimate
•One Deck of Playing Cards with Windows® 7 Desktop Design
•One Puzzle with Windows® 7 Desktop Design
•One Poster with Windows® 7 Desktop Design
•Ten Tote Bags with Windows® 7 Desktop Design for hosts and guests
•One table top centerpiece for decoration
•One package of Windows® 7 napkins

Both 32bit and 64bit versions are included with signature edition but key can only be used on either or.
Quote cjmUK 22nd September 2009, 11:41
Just signed up too...
Quote Kiytan 22nd September 2009, 12:22
So let me get this straight, i host a party (something which is long overdue) And i get free windows 7. Sign me up
Quote cjmUK 22nd September 2009, 12:30
Might be a bit late, but you have absolutely nothing to lose...
Quote M7ck 22nd September 2009, 12:39
I think you guys might be a little late, I applied for this weeks ago and im sure the closing date has already passed.
Quote Volund 22nd September 2009, 16:45
Just got a finalist message, now I need to get all the stuff done.... ****, who do I invite?
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