So you bought an upgrade copy of Windows 7 to save money or you got it for $30 with a student account. However, an upgrade is not cutting it for you and a clean install is just the thing you need. While the upgrade disc allows a clean install, you hit a roadblock with activation. At the SuperSite, Paul Thurrott, with the help of Kevin Fisher, has come up with the solution to activate Windows 7.

1. Ensure there are no Windows Updates pending. To check for this, look for an orange shield icon next to the Shutdown button in the Start Menu. If it’s there, reboot.
2. Open ‘regedit.exe’ from the Start Menu
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/
4. Change MediaBootInstall from ’1′ to ’0′
5. Open the Start Menu again and type ‘cmd’ — use ctrl+shift+enter to run it as an administrator
6. Type: slmgr /rearm – and press enter
7. Reboot
8. When Windows 7 reboots, run the Activate Windows utility and activate windows.

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At the Windows 7 launch event, Amazon announced an upcoming PC app that will bring Kindle to the PC. With the app, you have access to over 360,000 e-books will full color, zooming with pinch, and turning pages with a finger swipe. With Kindle for PC, any computer running Windows 7 is now a color Kindle, with tablet and multitouch PCs adding to the touch experience.

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When details about Windows 7 came out, Microsoft had clear limits for netbooks that allowed only the Starter version in which users can have only three applications running at a time. However, Microsoft has finally come to their senses and will allow OEMs to ship netbooks with any version of Windows 7. Microsoft has also removed the unpopular three app limit from the Starter version of the OS.

“OEMs and ODMs have the choice to install any version of Windows on a netbook,” said a Microsoft UK spokesperson. “[But] Starter is an entry version and doesn’t have many of the consumer or business features. The three application limit isn’t there anymore.”

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October is nearing and for Microsoft it means an increase in Windows 7 advertising. The first ad brings back Kylie, which is now 5 years old. The ad shows Kylie skimming through positive Windows 7 reviews and mentions “happy is coming.” The old video she’s featured in is after the break.

Previously known as senior vice president for the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, Steven Sinofsky has been promoted to President of Windows. According to Microsoft, his new job “assumes responsibility for the Windows business including both the engineering and marketing functions for Windows, Windows Live and Internet Explorer.” With the great work done on Windows 7, let’s hope he keeps the team on track to avoid another Vista in the future.

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Skype has been hard at work lately, pumping out new versions of its software for Windows, Windows Mobile, and the iPhone. Skype 4.1 for Windows now supports screen sharing, birthday reminders, and improved audio and video quality. For Windows Mobile, Skype has hit version 3.0 and features the ability to send files to other Skype users and send text messages at Skype rates. You can also make free Skype to Skype calls. iPhone’s version of Skype also received an update and is now Skype 1.1. The new version brings the ability to send SMS, listen to your voicemail, and adds support for traditional languages.

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So far, Microsoft has been following a very well organized timeline with Windows 7 and seems to be doing a great job on the entire product, including packaging. However, lots of people have been curious whether Microsoft will continue the positive vibe of the OS with pricing or will it just be expensive like prior iterations of the product. Today, Microsoft announced pricing on its upcoming OS, Windows 7, which is cheaper than the previous version of the OS, Windows Vista. In the U.S., Microsoft will be offering three versions of Windows and pricing is as follows:

• Home Premium (Upgrade) – $119.99

• Professional (Upgrade) – $199.99

• Ultimate (Upgrade) – $219.99

For full retail pricing, Microsoft chose the following prices:

• Home Premium (Full) – $199.99

• Professional (Full) – $299.99

• Ultimate (Full) – $319.99

Microsoft didn’t stop there. For those who preorder the product between June 26, 2009 and July 11, 2009 in the US and Canada receive steep discount on upgrade version of Windows 7.

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade) – $49.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade) – $99.99

Lastly, for those who will be purchasing a new PC between June 26, 2009 and January 31, 2009 will recieve a free copy of Windows 7 courtesy of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program.

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Here it is, the second ad of the Gates/ Seinfeld series.

Nothing major on the iPod Shuffle side, the clip-on iPod now comes in four new colors, with the same pricing: 1GB for $49 and 2GB for $69.

iTunes 8 available for download now, packs a few new features. So, what are they?

• Genius sidebar
• NBC is back
• HD TV shows will cost $2.99, SD version will cost $1.99
• New visualizer

Lost in all the other announcements, Apple has also released new earphones. For $79, these earphones pack two separate high-performance drivers to provide “accurate, detailed sound.” On the wire, a small remote control allows you to control volume, playback options, and record voice memos. Look for these in store sometime in October.

Shortly after we reported on the new Zune 3.0 features, the Zune team put up some new videos showing some of the new features in the upcoming Zune 3.0 update. Watch more videos after the jump.