Hi guys,I'm wondering if I can get Window 7 Starter from somewhere. Many of my friends who have Windows XP on Netbooks are asking where can they get Windows 7? Some people would suggest using another edition, but I don't think that would be a good solution.Any idea?Thanks

Le me Google that for you (hope you have as ense of humor :-) ). Rich

I googled it, and found nothing. Yes, I do have sense of humor, and I also hate showing off.Thank you for your efforts.

I don't believe Starter is available outside of certain markets - and only then as an OEM install. I couldn't find a vendor selling OEM System Builder keys, so about the only current way to get it is to buy it on a netbook. However, Home Premium will work just fine on netbooks and is a much better fit than Starter. For one thing, Home Premium doesn't lock you into the default background, or have other silly restrictions on it. Seriously, Home Premium is cheap right now - if you go for the family pack, you can get it for $50/pc - and it's not gimped up.

Seth,Thank you for your response.Ok, what about Windows 7 Pro Key? Is it going to be activated if I put it on Starter edition?Thanks

Hi MOH402,Windows 7 Starter is not for retail but only for OEM. Thus we will not get a Windows 7 Starter key. For licensing questions, you can call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/worldwide.aspx to find contact information in their locations.

Shaon,Thank you for your response. I'm really disappointed with that. This edition is very light and more suitable for netbooks than other editions, and I can't understand how Microsoft would release this edition for OEM only.Thank you.

Seth, Thank you for your response. Ok, what about Windows 7 Pro Key? Is it going to be activated if I put it on Starter edition? Thanks No, product keys are only good for the edition they were assigned. You would actually have to install Windows 7 Pro to use the key.

Shaon, Thank you for your response. I'm really disappointed with that. This edition is very light and more suitable for netbooks than other editions, and I can't understand how Microsoft would release this edition for OEM only. Thank you. You do know that you can essentially turn Home Premium (or any edition, really) into Starter (for the most part) by disabling services and features? Unlike Vista, each Windows 7 edition is a true superset of the next lesser edition. Thus, all of the features of Starter are in Home Basic, all of the features of Home basic are in Home Premium, etc. Thus, it is very easy to performance tune 7 to fit in just about any profile, regardless of edition.

Seth, You're right, If it's for me, I will know how to handle with that. However, this netbook is for a friend of mine, and he is going to install it on his machine. Thanks

So you need the Windows 7 Starter to install it onto your friend's netbook.Actually some effects will not be started if hardware do not support. Also as you said, you can help your friend turn off some features to reduce the usage of system resource such as turn off Aero, use Classic View theme etc as a workaround.