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Microsoft confirms Windows 7 UK upgrade and Family Pack pricing

by Scott Bicheno on 24 August 2009, 14:51

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

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Price promotion

There seems to have been an exceptional amount of speculation and movement on the prices of various manifestations of Windows 7 prior to its 22 October launch. This has been further complicated by Microsoft's attempts to get the EC off its back.

Today, Microsoft has moved to definitively clarify the position in the UK with the announcement that, since it's no longer having to release an ‘E' version, all the flavours of Windows 7 will be made available.

So that means we can buy a three license Family Pack for an apparently reduced price of £149.99, although Microsoft warns that the Family Pack will only be available in limited quantities, without explaining why.

Now that it's allowed to bundle Internet Explorer without having its bottom spanked, Microsoft can also offer upgrade versions of the three main Windows 7 variants, the prices of which are summarised below.

 

Windows 7 version Upgrade price Full price
Home Premium £79.99 until 31 December, £99.99 thereafter £149.99
Professional £189.99 £219.99
Ultimate £199.99 £229.99


HEXUS Forums :: 8 Comments

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Posted by Grey M@a - Mon 24 Aug 2009 14:53
So I guess this now means all the pre-orders will be upgrade versions and not the Full Retail ‘E’ versions any more?
Posted by The Jambo - Mon 24 Aug 2009 14:55
“an Amazon spokesperson has today advised Cnet.co.uk that the £65 price tag is ”indefinite“.”

So the upgrade version is more expensive than the full version?
Posted by Vimeous - Mon 24 Aug 2009 15:19
Grey M@a;1760812
So I guess this now means all the pre-orders will be upgrade versions and not the Full Retail ‘E’ versions any more?

They should be full retail versions rather than advertised full retail E version. This has been mentioned in previous Hexus news reports.

If they were to swap it for an upgrade instead I'd expect many would cancel their pre-order.
Posted by scaryjim - Mon 24 Aug 2009 15:45
Vimeous
If they were to swap it for an upgrade instead I'd expect many would cancel their pre-order.
Trying to change the pre-ordered product to an upgrade from a full retail would be terrible PR. The Windows 7 launch team have done a very good job of maintaining good (if occassionally confusing) PR throughout, so I doubt they'd risk that.

I'm not sure how it would work with pre-orders, but there might be issues around obtaining money by deception, too. I suppose if they could guarantee that everyone who pre-ordered would be informed of the change before their money was taken and given a chance to cancel then they might be OK, but would you want to risk that legal minefield?

No, as Hexus have previously postulated, I'm pretty sure we'll get honoured with a full retail copy. Although tbh, I'd be quite happy with a full retail E copy - I'm more than capable of downloading a web browser myself… ;)
Posted by macbeth1959 - Tue 25 Aug 2009 00:20
I might be naive but my pre-order was for the full ‘E’ version; if normal practice is followed then if the version I ordered is no longer available an equivalent or better version should be provided. The upgrade is neither equivalent or better - the upgrade version isn't a viable replacement as it requires a previous version of windows to function!

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