What is the Signature Edition of Windows?

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Does it include anything of additional functionality, or is it simply a beefier package with some doo-hickey inscribed signature on it? For win7... would that be Ballmer's signature, or still Gates?

Also, if someone had a retail copy of win7 before Oct 22nd, would they be able to install and activate it, or would it have to be unactivated until the 22nd?

 

[corkyg]

Here are several version comparisons of Windows 7.
Win7
If you have a legit retail copy obtained through MS TechNet or other Microsoft advance sources, it is activated with the proper key ID as soon as it is installed. Oct 22nd is just another Thursday.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

yar- nothing on the links from the first page of results. However, just searching within MS's website I confirmed my hunch.


Can anyone refute this?

Still don't really understand why Bill Gates' signature would be on it rather than Ballmer's

 

[StarsFan4Life]

What he is asking is what really is the different in Windows 7 Ultimate and the Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition some of us will be receiving from the Microsoft/HouseParty Windows 7 Launch Party promotion?

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

EXACTLY. I figured if Microsoft'll roll out a productRED version of vista, then there'd be at least some likelihood of an additional something... Other than getting both a 32 and 64bit install disc

 

[techs]

It's signed by the Apple guy in the commercials.

 

[Fox5]

I have the signature ultimate version of vista back in the day, but only because costco had it cheaper than anyone else had ultimate. It just was different packaging and a number telling me what number limited edition I had.

 

[Beanie46]

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[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Comdrpopnfresh
EXACTLY. I figured if Microsoft'll roll out a productRED version of vista, then there'd be at least some likelihood of an additional something... Other than getting both a 32 and 64bit install disc

Vista Ultimate and W7 Ultimate both come with 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs included. OEM versions of Vista Ultimate only come with a single version of the DVD. Don't know about OEM W7 Utlimate.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

The signature was from steve ballmer. From a collection standpoint, I'm a bit disappointed it came in a paperboard sleeve. But, seeing I'm not a collector, I was glad to see it only came in a paperboard sleeve- those blister packages are such a waste of material. I keep all my discs for reinstall in a small dvd-spindle case anyway.

 

[Scotteq]

...The difference is the amount of marketing fluff the DVDs are wrapped in.


That is all.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

so I input the product key that accompanied the install disc. But, when I activated it today, the product key shown under 'system properties' is not the same....
is there some translation from one to the other? It's not possible that the key with my disc is a generating key, is it?

 

[armstrda]

Windows has always done that. Your CD-KEY is not the same as the product key. The product key is based off your HW and your CD-KEY.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

ah. I see. Thanks