Best way to legally multi license Windows 7

[batmeat]

I'm building a network, a small network, only 8 workstations. Whats the best way to to get Windows 7 Pro 64bit for each one? I've been toying with the idea of buying 1 physical copy of Enterprise edition then buying license keys for the rest. I want to do this as cheap as possible.

[Steve R Jones]

Microsoft Volume Licensing - Microsoft Open Programs

The first order has to be for five licenses. After that you can order as needed.

[batmeat]

Well, checking through the licenses available, it looks like it would be $55.00 per license. Whats weird is the retailers I'm checking want a minimum $250.00 per license which makes it more expensive that finding a promotion and buying a bunch of OEM versions. Am I doing this wrong?

[RicheemxX]

What license did you look at? I was having issues getting a quote but it showed me $185/each which doesn't make since considering the OEM single license is $140??

[batmeat]

I looked at Open Value

[batmeat]

Yea, Open Value, corporate, no pricing level, Windows 7 Pro, Software assurance

Microsoft License Advisor

[RicheemxX]

Ahh I see, I think you are looking at the wrong thing then. I think you need the "new license" option

[batmeat]

Well, supposedly Microsoft will let you transfer licenses. So I should be able to transfer the old XP licenses to the new machines, and then buy the upgrade and wipe the old machines.

[RicheemxX]

Then you'd need the upgrade or upgrade with software assurance. Either way you still need to buy an actual license. Software assurance doesn't give you an actual license.

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ll_Midsize.pdf

either that or I'm totally confused at what SA actually does.

edit: actually it looks like SA gives you the option of 1 W7 Enterprise license for every license already covered. But either way unless you were already subscribed you'd still need to buy a new license.

[batmeat]

Yea, the assurance only allows you to upgrade in your agreement asuming a newer version of said software comes out. Going through it all, it looks like just buying a bunch of OEM packages will be cheaper.

[GroundZero3]

Newegg has 3pack oems for like 400 bucks