There’s a bunch of ways to get Windows 7 for a discount but one of the easiest is taking advantage of the student discount online (where student = basically any one with a *.edu email address, so ask your neighbor kid or some family member). This gets you the Windows 7 Home Premium version for $29.99.

I already had a retail copy of Windows 7 Professional, but I still had my old college *.edu address so I signed up and got the serial number and will keep it for when some friend or family member will want to upgrade. But hurry because the deal ends January 5, 2010.

There’s confusion as to whether you’re downloading the full or upgrade version, but don’t worry… in the end you are able to use the serial to install the full version. Discussion and answers to that confusion are here.