All About Windows 95 Operating System Release 2 Where Can I Get It? Sean Erwin
OSR2 will not appear on retail shelves. The features unique to OSR2 will not be available to the general public until the next major revision of Windows 95, currently expected to hit computer store shelves 3Q 1997.
OSR2 is only being distributed to OEMs, namely, companies that build systems. You can buy OSR2 from an OEM in the following ways: bundled with a new system, bundled with a motherboard, or bundled with a hard drive. Microsoft is quite specific in its instructions to OEMs. OSR2 may only be legitimately sold bundled with this specific hardware.
OSR2 is also included in the October 1996 release of MSDN (Professional Level and above). One year's subscription to the Professional level costs $499. However, since October 1996 has past, MSDN will run out of this edition soon…. Call on the availability of the October 1996 release before ordering. See the MSDN home page for details.
There have been reports of people selling OSR2 at computer shows in major metropolitan areas by itself rather cheaply (in violation of Microsoft's OEM agreement). These "versions" of OSR2 are often counterfeit and should be avoided. If someone tries to sell you OSR2 alone at a computer show for cheap, be suspicious. For more info on identifying counterfeit copies of OSR2, see Identifying OSR2 at the left.
Finally, I am able to sell OSR2 myself. I am a computer consultant in San Diego, CA, and as part of my business, I build PCs. This qualifies me as an OEM, and enables me to resell OSR2 bundled with a hard drive or motherboard (I have a California business license and reseller's permit).
Click here for a price list and further information on buying OSR2+a hard drive/motherboard from me.
Okay, I want to go down to my local computer store and buy OSR2 with a hard drive/motherboard. How can I be sure that they will sell it to me?
Tips: Call them first. See if they know what OSR2 is, and whether they will bundle it with a hard drive or motherboard. If they say "yes", you should identify the package they give you as OSR2 before you leave the store.
