Ballmer Signs Windows 7 Signature Edition, Sorta

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And you thought only your drivers had to be signed.

Just over a month ago, Microsoft announced that it was teaming up with House Party to help people around the world throw Windows 7-themed parties the week following the launch of the new OS.

Those selected to hold Windows 7 parties can upload photos and videos, chat with other hosts and blog. The real incentive for the host to throw one of these parties is the free special Signature Edition of Windows 7 Ultimate and a Windows 7 Party Pack.

At the time we didn't know much about what "Signature Edition" meant, but now we know thanks to reports on the internet from those who have received their party packs.

Essentially, it's a promotional copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that comes in a special box adorned with a printed reproduction of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's John Hancock. Check out the photos from StuffiWrote for more.

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
43 Comments Comment from the forums
  • doomtomb
    Looks beautiful, well worth it.
    Reply
  • VidGameKing
    Aw shoot!!!! It's 32-Bit!!! What a load of garbage! I'm getting my free copy on the 7th with my "house party" pack, but now I see it's only 32-Bit! How's that supposed to make me like Windows 7? I've got 4GB of RAM!!!!! Good thing I've got my MSDN account to fall back on... (I've already got the retail windows 7 Ultimate running on my computer!)
    Reply
  • grieve
    A guy here @ work was having a Win7 party... I laughed.

    Honestly, i will happily dump $250 for my copy of NON signed OEM Win7 Ultimate instead of throwing or attending a Win7 party.

    All the power to you if you are geeky enough to claim a "legal" free copy this way.
    Reply
  • VidGameKing
    They did this to us back at the Vista launch party, we all got copies, but they were only 32-Bit, I threw mine in the trash at the Santa Clara Convention Center, I didn't even bother bringing that useless sludge home!
    Reply
  • Major7up
    and this is supposed to make me want to go to or host a Win7 party?
    Reply
  • megamanx00
    Lame, but in the interest of free stuff I'd do it.
    Reply
  • NoCaDrummer
    Tell me again why Steve Balmer's signature is so "valuable"?
    Reply
  • According to the ones already on Ebay, There's 2 DVD's. Black sleeved for 32 bit and white sleeved 64 bit. We can only hope.
    Reply
  • Actually it's 32 or 64 bit. I literally responded to an email to "host" a party. I'm not yet sure if there will be an actual party - but my free copy of Win 7 is in the mail!
    Reply
  • socrates047
    i don't know, this has gimmick written all over it.
    Reply