http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/09/get-windows-7-for-free-by-hosting-a-launch-party.ars

Basically you host a party for 10 friends to show off windows 7, they give you a copy and a bunch of win7 swag.

Register here:
http://www.houseparty.com/splash/windows7usa

9/7/2009 1:10:43 PM

what if you don't have 10 friends?!

9/7/2009 1:20:47 PM

Alcohol works.

9/7/2009 4:07:17 PM

Quote :

"what if you don't have 10 friends?!"

Microsoft didn't really consider their audience here.

9/7/2009 5:02:25 PM

can I just get 10 ppl at work to say they're coming to this thing? how do they check?

I've seriously promoted win 7 to well over 10 people so far. i should get a copy for free

[Edited on September 7, 2009 at 5:11 PM. Reason : s]

9/7/2009 5:07:22 PM

I've signed up for the party but have yet to hear if I was selected....

9/7/2009 5:13:00 PM

Quote :

"Microsoft didn't really consider their audience here."

lmao, i'm glad i wasn't the only one wondering about this

9/7/2009 5:32:40 PM

ScHpEnXeL my thoughts exactly. If so, Im registering my parents, say I threw one, and getting 2 copies.

9/7/2009 5:34:19 PM

i too want to scam two copies of windows 7 out of this

9/7/2009 5:58:53 PM

looks like these are the main 2 things you have to do for M$ to verify

Quote :

"Use a free party website to plan your party, invite guests, upload photos, read and post to a party blog, etc. Fill out an online survey after the party has happened"

9/7/2009 6:11:00 PM

i def am getting in on this. just gonna ask some ppl at work/sign up parents

9/7/2009 8:16:00 PM

my immediate family is 7 people... isn't that enough

9/7/2009 8:16:32 PM

Would anyone actually be up for doing a real one? I was going to do one, but with only 2 copies, I don't know how'd they be distributed.

9/7/2009 9:04:17 PM

This reeks of desperation.

9/7/2009 9:36:23 PM

I'll probably do a real one. I have quite a few tech friends that enjoy alcohol so it should be easy.

9/7/2009 10:00:58 PM

I applied and I'd do one for realzies

9/8/2009 12:49:52 AM

i am literally probably gonna try this too

9/8/2009 12:52:45 AM

likewise. sounds cool. and i actually like the new windows.

9/8/2009 1:45:03 AM

Man alive, there are some lame comments.

Quote :

"Microsoft didn't really consider their audience here."

that would be people who use linux. consider this, 80%+ of computer users use Windows

Quote :

"This reeks of desperation."

how so?

I already applied, I for one think it's a great idea. I'll probably have it be more like an install party too for all those friends that need help.

[Edited on September 8, 2009 at 2:04 AM. Reason : /]

9/8/2009 2:04:08 AM

Can you just invite 10 people, or do 10 people need to actually show up? Cant imagine I could find 10 people to come over just so I could get a free copy of an operating system Im already using technically and that they would still have to pay $$ for.

9/8/2009 2:28:17 PM

Good deal.

9/8/2009 4:28:36 PM

signed up, they'll let us know on or around September 18th if we win the party

9/8/2009 4:46:43 PM

signed up for it. wasn't crazy about the release you have to agree to... but hey, free windows 7 (hopefully).

9/9/2009 8:54:27 AM

they changed the conformation date to the 22nd. still crossing my fingers.

9/18/2009 9:06:09 PM

!

9/18/2009 9:46:11 PM

i did the 30 dollar upgrade today. no party for me

9/20/2009 11:32:11 PM

i'd rather just spend $30 and not have to worry about faking a party. how hard up are you all for money?

9/20/2009 11:40:17 PM

Party = Win7 Ultimate
$30 = Win7 Home Premium upgrade

Apples /= Oranges

[Edited on September 20, 2009 at 11:42 PM. Reason : .]

9/20/2009 11:41:36 PM

or pro, and i don't really need bitlocker

9/20/2009 11:52:22 PM

^^dude anything thats not vista and i'm fine with it. i dont do any crazy ass computing

9/20/2009 11:59:09 PM

Anyone get a party confirmed?

9/21/2009 3:25:59 AM

Just got my confirmation! Yay free Win7!

9/21/2009 4:03:44 PM

I'm in!

9/21/2009 4:46:51 PM

I'm in too!

9/21/2009 5:06:22 PM

actually i get a free version on Thursday at the new efficiency event near me too... thanks MS!

[Edited on September 21, 2009 at 6:33 PM. Reason : .]

9/21/2009 6:33:00 PM

I'm in Our parties are two weeks before the public ones though! Actually this should be pretty fun!

9/21/2009 6:57:02 PM

ahahahahahaha

host a "windows 7" party

supply keg and snack

profit

9/21/2009 10:51:29 PM

Shouldn't they make it 7 friends?

9/21/2009 11:24:47 PM

^^That's my theme. dancing in the drunk

9/22/2009 2:22:17 AM

Quote :

"You’re so close to hosting a Windows® 7 Launch Party. To confirm your host status, receive your free party package, you must be among the first of the host finalists to:"

Hmm...

9/22/2009 6:41:58 AM

Confirmed here. What's the next hoop to jump through?

9/22/2009 8:27:27 AM

I got this BEFORE I got the Finalist email.

Quote :

"Congratulations... You are a Windows® 7 Launch Party host!! Because you were among the first host finalists to set up your party online, you are confirmed as a host and will be receiving a free party package to share with your guests shortly before the party."

If you login, you should see this on your front page / dashboard:

Quote :

"Confirmed Host You are a confirmed host for this event! Your party has already been set up — enjoy the party!"

They tell you in the email what you need to do.

Quote :

"To confirm your host status, receive your free party package, you must be among the first of the host finalists to: * Sign in and set up your FREE party website * Invite your favorite 9 guests, using the FREE House Party Guest Manager tool * Upload photos, including a “headshot” and at least 3 photos of your choice * Post a comment to the party blog * Cast your vote in the first party poll And most importantly: Choose your theme!"

9/22/2009 10:30:07 AM

Setting mine up online now.

9/22/2009 10:46:19 AM

Yeah I got the confirmed host email about the time I logged in to set it up. Do I even have to do anything now? Im guessing its not that easy.

9/22/2009 2:27:24 PM

I'm all set up - I'll be doing this for real.

9/22/2009 4:00:36 PM

I guess I didn't get it.

How did you do the $30 upgrade? I don't want to go back to Vista after being with 7 since beta.

9/22/2009 11:20:21 PM

http://www.win741.com

Just have a .edu address and you're good.

9/22/2009 11:37:52 PM

^gracias

grrr.... they want me to pay $13 more for a disc.

[Edited on September 23, 2009 at 1:32 AM. Reason : 6]

9/23/2009 1:28:49 AM

does it say when we get our copies of windows 7?

9/23/2009 2:17:45 AM

http://www.houseparty.com/party/177813

9/23/2009 9:54:06 AM