These days, it seems like everyone and their grandmother is switching to Windows 7. And so it’s almost certain that the successor of Windows Vista will finally replace Windows XP. Have you thought about switching or upgrading yet?

Maybe you missed obtaining your free upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 at the end of February?  Or perhaps you’re still on Windows XP and would like to upgrade on a budget?  If you’re a student or working in academia, you may even qualify for a free Windows 7 download.

Either way, there are cheap and legal alternatives to buying directly from Microsoft.

1. Microsoft.com: Upgrade From XP Or Vista To Windows 7

If you’re running Windows XP or Windows Vista, you can purchase the Windows 7 Upgrade, which is slightly cheaper than the full version. Make sure the right country is selected at the top right.

Unfortunately, you still need to perform a clean installation in case you’re “upgrading” from Windows XP. Varun has written an article on How To Upgrade From XP To Windows 7 In 4 Easy Steps.

2. The Ultimate Steal: Get A Student Discount

If you’re a student, you will most likely be able to purchase a discounted version of many Microsoft products, including Windows 7. Be sure to select your location from the top right country/region selector.

You can check whether you’re eligible on this website. Just enter your university or school email address.

3. MSDN Academic Alliance: Get A Free Copy Of Windows 7

Those of you studying at university or working in academia may be able to obtain a free copy of Windows 7, besides countless other Microsoft products. Many schools have teamed up with MSDN AA and can provide the software to their employees and students free of charge.

The above URL will take you to a form through which you can check whether your school is enrolled in the programme.

In case your school is part of the MSDN AA programme, the form will also show you where and how to receive the software.

So you’re neither a student, nor do you presently run Windows XP or Vista. Don’t despair! There are many more resources for discounted copies of Windows 7. Just use Google and common sense or check out two more options below.

4. NexTag: Search For Best Offer

No matter what you’re going to shop for online, you should make use of price search engines to find the best offer available. NexTag is just one of many.

For more resources on how to shop online and find the best price, check out the MakeUseOf Shopping Guide (PDF manual).

5. Google Product Search

Another great resource for finding the best deals is the Google search engine itself.

Try Google’s Product Search. As you type in which version of Windows you’re looking for, watch for the search term suggestions Google makes. These terms will most likely return many relevant results. Once you found your product, click “compare prices” to see all the sources and their respective offers.

Note: We previously recommended another shop in position 5, which turned out to be a very unreliable merchant. I deeply apologize in case you followed my recommendation and had a negative experience with this online dealer.

Not sure whether your computer is fit for Windows 7 in the first place? Check out my article on Upgrade To Windows 7: Requirements & Installation Tips. And before you start running into issues, check out Karl’s article on Three Windows 7 Upgrade Issues & How To Avoid Them.

What do you think about Windows 7 so far? Is it worth it to upgrade?