The last time I renewed was with version 6 free. It renewed for one year from the time of renewal, not from the actual time of expiration. With free, no big deal, but if I had a commercial version that wouldn't fly. But it may not be an issue now with 7, I don't know. The early and continual notices to renew always have seemed a little excessive to me, but with the free version I just renew and forget about it.