Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed!
Scratch what I said before, today I just received Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (for FREE!).
This post could be interpreted as an ode to the fantastic customer service you can receive from Microsoft. Actually scratch that, this post IS an ode to the fantastic customer service you can receive from Microsoft.
You can stop rubbing your eyes, it’s true.
About two weeks ago I happened upon a news item stating Microsoft were to celebrate the launch of Windows 7 worldwide by offering potential customers the opportunity to host their own Windows 7 launch parties. For your troubles (and assuming you were successful in being selected to host a launch party) you would receive a whole host of goodies in your ‘party pack’.
The official line was a mixed bag but was satisfactory although ultimately disappointing. I was not expecting to be graciously offered a USA Party Pack for gratis though!
Thinking this to be a great idea, and a great chance to grab a copy of Windows 7, I hastily made my way to the application website eager to submit my details in the hopes of making the cut to host a party. Unfortunately, living on an island the size of a pea doesn’t fall under the radar of countries eligible to participate in the promotion.
I was livid, every other region of the world was being represented here except for the Caribbean. Finding this to be a touch xenophobic I made a concerted effort to contact various folk at Microsoft (thanks The Consumerist!) to express my opinion and frustration. What happened next I could never have expected.
I received a reply via email the very next day.
A very courteous email arrived explaining reasons why the Caribbean region was not covered in the promotion. The official line was a mixed bag but was satisfactory although ultimately disappointing. I was not expecting to be graciously offered a USA Party Pack for gratis though! I submitted my delivery details as requested and sure enough today I received a giant box from Microsoft the contents of which you can see in my unboxing pictures below.
The goodies are actually very nice, especially the Windows 7 tote bags, perfect for the Cayman Islands for the beach! Also included were Windows 7 branded napkins, a puzzle pack; the pieces come together to form a wallpaper image from Windows 7. There was also a pack of Windows 7 playing cards, a colour poster and of course the piece de resistance, a FULL copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition (Steve Ballmer Signature Edition). What I was not expecting though was the Anytime Upgrade to Ultimate Signature 64 bit edition. A nice bonus!
I feel very fortunate to have been offered the free party pack, but I hope also that the words I sent to Microsoft may make them reconsider their promotional strategy next time round. People do live in the Caribbean too you know!
Brilliant that mate, well done
jk2447
30 Sep 09 at 4:16 am
Hey,
Awesome!!! I am in Canada and was chosen as a Host for the Party. I hope you getting your Party pack is a great sign that the packs will begin to be sent out to the Party Hosts. Thanks for Posting some pics
MC
30 Sep 09 at 11:13 am
When did you receive your party pack? Did you receive any type of email from House Party with tracking information?
John
1 Oct 09 at 11:40 am
Awesome! You got yours before any of us approved hosts did! KUDOS to microsoft and you.
Cameron
1 Oct 09 at 11:51 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Geek am I. Geek am I said: For those of you hosting a Windows 7 launch party and cannot wait to see your goodie bag…here ya go! #geek http://bit.ly/5YVt4 [...]
Tweets that mention Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! -- Topsy.com
1 Oct 09 at 12:21 pm
Thats not a “real” signature is it?
T
1 Oct 09 at 12:46 pm
Awesome story. I’m havin a W7 party in Canada myself and can’t wait to receive the Microsoft package. So cool you got this 1st!
itutoru
1 Oct 09 at 12:54 pm
dang man. you lucky dog you. good luck with the party and umm email me and i can let you know where to ship the disc when your done
rob
1 Oct 09 at 1:10 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands | Articles at Random
1 Oct 09 at 1:14 pm
Does this Signature edition have a serial number on it?
JoeQPublic
1 Oct 09 at 1:15 pm
[...] appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands | Technology South Africa
1 Oct 09 at 1:16 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tagged with: cayman house party houseparties networking operating system operatingsystem windows 7 windows 7 house party windows7launchparty [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands
1 Oct 09 at 1:23 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Tagged with: 1st-2009 cayman gaming house party internet microsoft networking operatingsystem Politics Sport windows7 windows7houseparty wireless [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands
1 Oct 09 at 1:23 pm
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GPS Navigation » Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands
1 Oct 09 at 1:37 pm
Does it come with a 64 bit version right in the box? Or do you have to order it? That’d be a real bummer if it wasn’t included because I need 64 bit. =/
Donato
1 Oct 09 at 1:44 pm
Well you know, us Canadians will probably get our packages AFTER the launch party timeframes thanks to our friends at CANADA CUSTOMS. There are bunch of packages at GATEWAY awaiting Canada Customs approval (they have been sitting there now for over five days).
MWL
1 Oct 09 at 1:50 pm
Nice, but..
Is there only the 32bit version inside?
Ulysses N. Owen
1 Oct 09 at 2:01 pm
Glad to see you got it. Your Pictures were great. Hope i get mine soon.
Scott M
1 Oct 09 at 2:02 pm
[...] Read [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands | Technology Blog
1 Oct 09 at 2:04 pm
Thank you for posting this. I’m also a win7 party host, scheduled for the 13th of this month.
Does anyone else not like the ‘32-bit software’ label on the Vista Ultimate DVD? I would have thought they had sent out the x64 version. I certainly hope it can be changed somehow
Joshua
1 Oct 09 at 2:05 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands | InfoZone Where News Comes Ahead
1 Oct 09 at 2:07 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
InfoChaos Digital » El primer pack para fiestas de Windows 7 llega a las Islas Caimán
1 Oct 09 at 2:27 pm
Gee I wish I could whine and cry about not bieng included until I got my way….
Tom Thumb
1 Oct 09 at 2:35 pm
Think we could get a look at those tote bags they sent?
Btw, thanks for the unboxing!
Ian
1 Oct 09 at 3:17 pm
I got denied too. I was thinking of doing a linux conversion night too. lol, me and my friends are linux geeks, so it might be fun to do a reformat, windows install and subsequent old school unreal tournament LAN. lol
sx911
1 Oct 09 at 3:21 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
BlogLime » Blog Archive » Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands
1 Oct 09 at 3:24 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands | Games, it's what we all about
1 Oct 09 at 3:59 pm
Can you post pictures of the tote bags? I’m curious as to what they look like. Congrats on the party pack!
bazzle
1 Oct 09 at 4:25 pm
Thats awesome, When you say you got a free upgrade to 64bit edition can you explain???? I have a 64bit machine i wanted to run this on.
Thanks
Ben McAppion
1 Oct 09 at 5:35 pm
[...] Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! (Stuff I Wrote vía [...]
La primera fiesta Windows 7 será en ¿Islas Caimán? - FayerWayer
1 Oct 09 at 5:39 pm
I love when big companies rectify mistakes like this with personal emails, but I’m with you all the way. This shouldn’t have been a problem in the first place. I’m a host too, any pics of those tote bags? I’m curious what those look like.
adamdzak
1 Oct 09 at 5:44 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments Loading… @import url("http://www.google.com/uds/css/gsearch.css"); window._uds_vbw_donotrepair = true; @import url("http://www.google.com/uds/solutions/videobar/gsvideobar.css"); .playerInnerBox_gsvb .player_gsvb { width : 320px; height : 260px; } function LoadVideoBar() { var videoBar; var options = { largeResultSet : !true, horizontal : true, autoExecuteList : { cycleTime : GSvideoBar.CYCLE_TIME_MEDIUM, cycleMode : GSvideoBar.CYCLE_MODE_LINEAR, executeList : ["ytchannel:theworacle","ytchannel:luckymauro","ytchannel:mttdx"] } } videoBar = new GSvideoBar(document.getElementById("videoBar-bar"), GSvideoBar.PLAYER_ROOT_FLOATING, options); } // arrange for this function to be called during body.onload // event processing GSearch.setOnLoadCallback(LoadVideoBar); Filed under: Engadget No Comments Comments (0) Trackbacks (0) ( subscribe to comments on this post ) [...]
Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands « Tech Pulse!
1 Oct 09 at 6:04 pm
I live on Grand Cayman. email me sometime and invite me to your ‘party’. I have Win7 Ultimate (legally via an msdn subscription) and LOVE it! I am quite impressed that you were able to pull that off!
Congrats!
CountUSC
1 Oct 09 at 6:28 pm
Will get some pics up pronto, I actually haven’t even opened the wrapper yet!
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:43 pm
I wasn’t whining or crying, I was simply trying to make the people behind the promotion aware that they missed an entire region of the globe.
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:44 pm
No, you get the 64bit version too via a provided 64bit Anytime Upgrade DVD (you should be able to make it out in the white sleeve on the photos I posted).
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:45 pm
Yes, the serial number is the traditional yellow product key, it’s on the inside of the DVD sleeve (hence I took no photos of the inside of the packet). I think the 64bit version uses the same key as the 32bit one.
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:47 pm
Thanks for your comment, alas the copy Microsoft provided is only useful for one machine install only!
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:47 pm
Nope. It’s embossed on to the packaging.
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:48 pm
The 64bit edition comes as a separate disc in the form of an Anytime Upgrade DVD. It’s all present and correct.
The Editor
1 Oct 09 at 6:49 pm
Im jealous. Here in Idaho I have to wait till my neighbor hosts our party in a few weeks. Can’t wait to get geeked out!!
LedeAgenda
1 Oct 09 at 9:41 pm
All party pack should be recieved by 10 of oct 2009 maybe one or 2 days later but in europe its 10 oct . for those who are wondering why they havnt got it yet its already on its way happy win7 party
soko
1 Oct 09 at 9:47 pm
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]
Funny Gadget Gifts | Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands
1 Oct 09 at 11:00 pm
You’re very lucky! A lot of promotions offered by many companies are limited to the US only. The only one I’ve seen that was worldwide was the HP Magic Giveaway (which I won!). It’s hard living in Jamaica, seeing great deals all the time, reading the fine print and seeing that heart breaking clause, “Limited to residents of the 50 states of America” or something like that. Congratulations though!
Darien
1 Oct 09 at 11:10 pm
how does th eupgrade to 64bit work? do they send you out a disc or is it downloadable?
Comic Con Boo Boo
1 Oct 09 at 11:11 pm
[...] stuffiwrote.co.uk [...]
Ars BLACKMAGIC COMPUTERS: Reader gets free Windows 7 after complaint to Ballmer - BlackMagic Computers
2 Oct 09 at 1:20 am
[...] You can read the rest of the article here. [...]
Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! « Andys Retro Computers
2 Oct 09 at 3:14 am
I’m curious, I’ve heard that on the House Party site it says “The key is only good for one installation.”
Is there anyway you could find out if that means the key will only work on one computer, or if the key actually only works once.
Terry
2 Oct 09 at 3:51 am
[...] 10:21 AM Party packs being shipped…. Got shipping details from DHL Images could be seen here A reader from the Cayman Islands was annoyed enough that he couldn't throw his own official [...]
Put together your own Windows 7 Launch Party and get Windows 7 Ultimate! - Page 4 - Windows Help Forum
2 Oct 09 at 4:22 am
[...] Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! (Stuff I Wrote vía [...]
La primera fiesta Windows 7 será en ¿Islas Caimán? | UR-VE.COM
2 Oct 09 at 4:53 am
[...] for free though. We told him “pics or it didn’t happen” and he pointed us to his blog. Since we haven’t gotten our own Windows 7 Party Pack yet, we can’t compare for [...]
Can’t Wait for Your Windows 7 House Party? ~ Revelations From An Unwashed Brain
2 Oct 09 at 5:04 am
[...] una Windows 7 Launch Party. En este caso se trata de una persona procedente de las Islas Caimán, quien recibió una caja con todos los premios que se ven en la foto de arriba.La fiesta tiene que haber sido muy buena, ya [...]
El primer pack de las Windows 7 Launch Party ya tiene dueño | Actualidad en Lineup
2 Oct 09 at 5:49 am
Nice story. Reminds of all the problems I have with my xbox live subscription. I can’t buy points from the Dominican Republic and I can’t purchase have the stuff. Now I can’t even watch free podcasts like girls gone geek.
I hope one day they start acting like a global brand.
vm-01
2 Oct 09 at 6:23 am
That’s funny! When you said “living on an island the size of a pea doesn’t fall under the radar of countries eligible to participate in the promotion” I immediately thought to myself – “Yah, I’d never get anything in the Cayman Islands either!” But lo and belold you live in the Cayman Islands! Good job buddy! Nothing pisses me off more than not even finding the Cayman Islands in a list of countries (I’m looking at you PlayStation Network!).
Kmon
2 Oct 09 at 6:58 am
[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBy Darren Murph [...]
You Get The . Info » Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands – 6166th Edition
2 Oct 09 at 7:54 am
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Windows 7 party pack fittingly arrives on party-filled Cayman Islands « My Blog - Just another WordPress weblog
2 Oct 09 at 8:22 am
Can you please tell me if there was a x64 version of the dvd also inside. I just got my DHL tracking mail today and was hoping this was going to be 64 bit edition rather than a 32 bit version
Wargle
2 Oct 09 at 1:05 pm
I got an email today at around 3pm Seattle time stating that my “Party Pack” has shipped and it provided a UPS tracking number!! Whooohoo!! Free Swaggggg!
Drew
2 Oct 09 at 5:55 pm
[...] has one, even though they aren't throwing a party…..interesting article. Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! Is fhearr fheuchainn na bhith san duil (It's better to try than to [...]
Who's hosting a Windows 7 Launch Party? - Windows 7 Center Forums
2 Oct 09 at 6:29 pm
[...] Re: Host your own Win 7 launch parties supported by MS these are what the contents are like Windows 7 Party Pack Unboxed! [...]
Host your own Win 7 launch parties supported by MS - Page 9 - TechEnclave
2 Oct 09 at 7:36 pm
Hello,
Im anwindows7 organizer in Italy,It’s sure that i will received the Windows 7 house party pack?
Davide Fortunato
3 Oct 09 at 5:58 am
[...] is a link for the Pictures http://www.stuffiwrote.co.uk/2009/09…-pack-unboxed/ __________________ http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/banner/550151.png http://www.smcomputers.ca [...]
Windows 7 House Party Finalists, where are you? - Page 12 - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
3 Oct 09 at 6:55 am
Just got my tracking number Friday – scheduled delivery on Wednesday. Thanks for the unboxing – I’ve been wondering what to expect….probably more psyched than I should be.
Brad from Bone In The Fan
3 Oct 09 at 11:04 am
[...] Original story in sutffiwrote [...]
Windows 7 Steve Ballmer’s Edition
3 Oct 09 at 1:46 pm
I Had received the pack too~~
You can see the unbox in my blog:
http://www.xn--ghqy73e.com/2009/10/windows-7-party-pack.html
Nova
4 Oct 09 at 12:02 am
BTW, I would like to ask that: DO the signature edition of Windows only can be install in ONE computer?
Nova
4 Oct 09 at 12:03 am
[...] que a primeira aparição do kit na internet, foi do site Stuff I Wrote, que inclusive não faz parte dos 12 países participantes. O editor alega que enviou um comunicado [...]
Windows 7 Steve Ballmer Edition | UniversoTech
4 Oct 09 at 10:35 am
I was impressed with your efforts until i read that you actually have zero intention of using this party pack promotion for what its true intention is. To hose a launch party! Kudos to you for crying until you go something free though.
Eric Ochoa
4 Oct 09 at 10:39 am
Nice! Iam looking forward to my own party pack as well
I am hosting a mac vs Win7 party myself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqUi1xlvDkI
I borrowed one of your pics for my blog btw.
Russ D
4 Oct 09 at 12:26 pm
[...] thousands that are hosting house parties for the release of Windows 7. You can see a full unboxing here. (I am still waiting on my party pack to [...]
Windows 7 boxes in the wild « IKnowRusty.com
4 Oct 09 at 4:09 pm
Yes it comes with 32 and 64 bit disc, also found a few already being sold on ebay
Phil
4 Oct 09 at 9:56 pm
[...] Who Here Grabbed Windows 7? The party packs have started to arrive… http://www.stuffiwrote.co.uk/2009/09…-pack-unboxed/ [...]
Who Here Grabbed Windows 7? - Page 21 - x10Hosting Community
5 Oct 09 at 7:41 am
You are lucky – My country are not on the list too.
But my english are not good enough to write a complaint to Steve Ballmer.
Mike Hansen
5 Oct 09 at 8:05 am
[...] at: stuffiwrote.co.uk Share and [...]
Windows 7 Retail boxes « Windows 7 « Not Just Windows 7
5 Oct 09 at 12:53 pm
Just curious, I am also in an area excluded by this “Party” Can you email me the contact info you found from microsoft that is realted to the offer? Thanks- Tim D-
Tim D
5 Oct 09 at 1:57 pm
Hello all,
How can I apply as a host to Party Pack program ?
Thanks
Windows7
6 Oct 09 at 7:58 am
where do i get steve ballimers emial address?
i have had heaps o issues with houseparty.com after applying to be a host and have been accepted and then rejected several times… i want to have a bitch too
thanks
mtarm1
mtarm1
6 Oct 09 at 10:26 am
I too received the party pack but there were no playing cards in it.
Navjot Singh
6 Oct 09 at 10:07 pm
Well i just received my Windows 7 party pack this afternoon.. well i live in INDIA > GOA
I’ll post some pics later…
& some guyz hd asked whether this Win 7 copy which we get in this Party box..can be installed more than once on a computer …ya well its true it can be installed coz Microsoft Clearly states a statement sayin
“Don’t Lose This Product Key !
You must use it every time u install this software.
Be sure to store this Product Key in a safe place.”
Elmer Elly
7 Oct 09 at 5:54 am
Here are the pictures of my unboxing…. do comment if u wish…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43299826@N07/sets/72157622535324884/
Elmer Elly
7 Oct 09 at 6:54 am
This are the Windows 7 party pack unboxing pictures in a
Slide Show..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43299826@N07/sets/72157622535324884/show/with/3990172698/
Elmer Elly
7 Oct 09 at 6:57 am
hey buddies please just tell me wat is tracking number…….
keshav
7 Oct 09 at 8:44 am
its steveballimer@microsoft.com
annom.
7 Oct 09 at 7:52 pm
any updates???
uk image host
9 Jan 10 at 8:00 pm