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Today we have some news to share around Windows 7 including answering what may be some of the “hottest” questions people have as we head toward General Availability (GA) on October 22nd.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Brad Brooks, Corporate VP for Windows Consumer Marketing, to talk about today’s announcements.
Announcing the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program & Windows 7 Pricing
Special thanks to Brad for taking the time to talk through these details with me. You’ll find a transcript of the video here.
As Brad discussed in the video, today we’re announcing details for the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, pricing, and a special pre-order offer for select markets.
But first, I want to talk a little bit more about GA and the worldwide availability of Windows 7. We’ve really focused a lot of our efforts on getting the product out to as many people around the world as quickly as possible. OEMs will start shipping PCs with Windows 7 in all language versions beginning on GA, October 22nd.
And for our retail software, we’ve made significant strides in terms of timing. Gone are the days when it could take months for all language versions to be available. In fact – we’ve narrowed the gap to just over ONE week!
On October 22nd, Windows 7 will be available in the following 14 languages: English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Chinese (Hong Kong).
Then on October 31st, the remaining 21 languages will become available: Turkish, Czech, Portuguese, Hungarian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Greek, Ukrainian, Romanian, Arabic, Lithuanian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Slovenian, Hebrew, Thai, Croatian, Serbian Latin, and Latvian.
Windows 7 truly is a global release and I’m excited to be able to tell my international friends that when I say Windows 7 will be available for the holidays – I mean everywhere in the world.
But, you don’t have to wait until GA to get a new Windows PC. In fact, we know many people need that new PC sooner – for back to school specifically. And we have the answer for people who need a new PC now but still want to get Windows 7 and that’s the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, which kicks off tomorrow, June 26th! Anyone who buys a PC from a participating OEM or retailer with Windows Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate on it will all receive an upgrade to the corresponding version of Windows 7 at little or no cost to customers. The Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program will be available until January 31st, 2010 – and is global! For more information on taking advantage of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program, visit www.windows.com/upgradeoffer.
Another one of the most common questions I get is: how much will Windows 7 cost? Well, today we’re sharing these details.
For Windows 7, we are reducing the price on our most popular retail product for customers, the Home Premium Upgrade, by approximately 10% (depending on the market). In the U.S., this means a customer buying Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade will pay only $119.99 instead of the $129.99 being charged today for its predecessor.
Overall, customers will be paying less and getting more with Windows 7. This includes fun new features such as HomeGroup, Device Stage, Aero Shake, Snap, Peek, Jump Lists and our completely redesigned Windows Taskbar (one of my favorite new features in Windows 7 today). These new features make your PC simpler and much easier to use.
So here’s the low-down on pricing for Windows 7. The estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:
And the estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:
This means that Windows 7 Home Premium full retail product is $40.00 less than Windows Vista Home Premium today.
As Brad describes in the video, for Europe, we will not have a separate upgrade SKU for the packaged retail product versions of Windows 7 at GA. But we will be offering upgrade pricing on our full licenses to make sure that European customers who want to upgrade have the pricing options available in the rest of the world.
Finally, as a way of saying thank you to our loyal Windows customers, we are excited to introduce a special time limited offer! We will offer people in select markets the opportunity to pre-order Windows 7 at a more than 50% discount. In the US, this will mean you can pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium for USD $49.99 or Windows 7 Professional for USD $99.99. You can take advantage of this special offer online via select retail partners such as Best Buy or Amazon, or the online Microsoft Store (in participating markets).
This program begins tomorrow in the U.S., Canada and Japan. The offer ends July 11th in the U.S. and Canada and on July 5th for Japan or while supplies last. Customers in the UK, France and Germany, can pre-order their copy of Windows 7 starting July 15th and will run until August 14th (or supplies last) to ensure folks don’t miss out on this. Act fast if you want to be the first in line to get Windows 7 at this screaming deal! Note: The special low pre-order price will vary per country.
For more information on this special pre-order offer, click here.
I am really excited to be sharing these Windows 7 announcements with you today. Because of the great feedback we received from you, we are confident we are poised to deliver a great product this fall!
Euro Price?
(Italy pls )
Prices are still high. No family pack pricing? No pre order pricing for Australia?
Can't find an answer for this can an upgrade version be installed to a clean HDD as per XP and earlier(provide cd for proof) or we have to do the double install "workaround" that was a PITA with vista?
this is ridiculous! XP and Vista owners get the SAME upgrade price?!!!!!!!!! Windows 7 is practically a service pack of Vista. It's what Vista should have been.
Vista owners should at least get the upgrade for half price for an unlimited time. Something at least! Throw a dog a bone! This is not the way to treat your customer who bought XP, then upgraded to Vista!!!!
Microsoft, these prices are WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!!!! Take a page from Apple's playbook! One version, One inexpensive price for everyone!
I'm a PC, and I'm mad as heck!
This means a full version of Home Premium in the UK is only £80 because of the full version at upgrade pricing thing. And with the pre-order offer if that went down to £40 or so that would be a fantastic deal. Well done.
Check out this webinar on Windows 7 - Sensor and Location platfrom by SELA Group CTO, Mr. Alon Fliess.
www.youtube.com/watch
"...as a way of saying thank you to our loyal Windows customers, we are excited to introduce a special time limited offer! We will offer people in select markets the opportunity to pre-order Windows 7 at a more than 50% discount..."
Why only select markets? Why not all !?
Hello,
When will windows 7 be available for SA clients ?
Greetings.
I think that Microsoft should reconsider, because the only thing that is saving them from Windows Vista is that fact that Apple also openly admits that there OS is also an upgrade, but $29 is a much better price. Microsoft could at least give all Vista users a $49 upgrade to their respective version of 7 (i.e. Home Premium to Home Premium, Business to Professional, etc)
Was hoping Vista Ultimate to 7 Ultimate upgrade would get a special deal, but Ultimate is not even made available for the pre-order discounts being offered, which is disappointing.
So first we Vista Ultimate users pay a huge price for a a Vista version that is not in any way worth the money and now we have to pay a even more for an upgrade? WTF? Alteast make the ultimate _upgrade_ cost as much as the professional upgrade. Otherwise it's like double tax!
Was looking forward to W7, not so much now
Apple just drop kicked MS all over the place. Snow Leopard is a $30 upgrade over Leopard! The free upgrade started on the day of announcement so $10 shipping from June 8th forward. THAT'S how you do an upgrade, and THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH LEOPARD to begin with!!! 7 SHOULD be a like for like shipping cost upgrade for that POS VISTA!!! I early adopted Vista and have fought the fight ever since. What a friggin' crock. I am a PC but embarrassed as hell about it. I made fun of Mac folks. NO MORE, they WIN.
Can you please confirm that the E-editions will be sold in the UK? Paul Thurrott of Winsupersite has posted that they won't be and he isn't often wrong.
I helped a friend, whose previous laptop was stolen 3 weeks ago, buy a laptop this past Tuesday,6/23.
Why would you annouce this only a day before the offer for a free upgrade starts? If I knew this, say, a 3 weeks ago, I would have told her to wait the extra three days.
Now I get to tell her that if she wants Windows 7, either shell out more cash or return the Laptop?
It's going to cost me:
4 x Home Premium = $200
1 x Professional = $100
$300 to upgrade the Windows machines in my house. IF I can scrape enough money together to get in on this preorder deal.
Further, can an Upgrade license do a CLEAN INSTALL? I'm talking formatting the hard drive, install Windows Fresh. Vista can't *really* do it and I have been told in the newsgroups that 7 "will be similar to Vista". If I can't do a clean install, then I have to buy full retail versions, which will pretty much triple the price.
Prices are high, but the pre-order program is good. A Family Pack would be MUCH better, though...
Also, anyone saying that 7 is just a Service Pack for Vista or anything like that: Go try out 7. It's MUCH more than just a Service Pack.
Will I be getting a lot of cool Windows 7 Ultimate Extras for my $219?
I disagree, it is an enhanced service pack. I liken it to XP SP2 when they added a ton of security features. This is a correction pack, with many things REMOVED. I have Ultimate and don't I feel like a fool. I don't know what to do. They seem to have left us big fools in the lurch. OK, you paid way too much for Ultimate, now you get to pay way too much for Ultimate,,,AGAIN!
I'm A PC & I'm Embarrassed.
I just watched the video. "NOW is not the best time to buy a computer. TOMORROW is!!! They just DON'T get it. They make WAY too much money up there in Redmond. There is a global recession going on and they're charging WHAT?
ComptactDistance - the UK will in fact have Windows 7 E. Sorry for the confusion.
I am VERY disappointed as others are that there isn't a discount for ultimate during that time period. I have FOUR machines that have Vista Ultimate, so now I am going to have to pay about $880 to upgrade them to the same level in 7...
why isnt there pre order available in australia?
we always get shunned on everything...
what about prices in $AUD?
quote - happyandyk
agreed why should you treat these markets any different than the rest?
not very happy with this at al MS...
@clutchdude
Sorry your friend had her laptop stolen.
Remember, this is just an announcement about pricing and special offers, Windows 7 will still not be available until October 22, 2009.
It's a pity that users from "poor" countries can't have access to discounts, pre orders, and full versions. Most computers here come with Starter versions, and I guess there's no upgrade for us.
I'd love to get Windows 7, but I guess the prices here will be way too expensive, and if there are no upgrades for Starter version, even worst.
Hope they do something nice before the GA.
@J.R. Raith
Yes, you can clean install to a formatted hard drive with the upgrade version. See the FAQ here:
www.microsoft.com/.../pre-order-faq.aspx
I am running Windows XP, can I upgrade to Windows 7?
Microsoft designed Windows 7 Upgrade media for Windows Vista. A customer with Windows XP can purchase Windows 7 Upgrade media but must back up their files, clean install, and then reinstall their applications.
I've been using Vista for 2 years now. I tested Windows 7 but the PRICE for the upgrade doesn't reflect the improvements. It's TOO EXPENSIVE.
There is a global recession going on and this is another way of encouraging piracy.
Who was campaigning some weeks ago about Apple computers being expensive?
I too bought VISTA ULTIMATE two years ago when it came out. I have fought it and fought it. I have tested the 7 since it was available in Beta and feel that we are getting screwed by MS. Why don't you give testers a special discount and yes, WHY DONT VISTA OWNERS get a special ULTIMATE DISCOUNT. XP users bypassed the Millenium fasco of VISTA yet they get the same price and we Ultimate buyers can not even get a special were sorry discount... UBUNTU Here I come and it is FREE!
This is a load of crap! I bought VISTA ULTIMATE 2 years ago and have fought the problems since. I have tested 7 since it came out in beta and am not getting a reduced Price as sort of an I'M SORRY from Microsoft for buying Millenium #2 in Vista Ultimate. We hardcore MS buyers (not piraters) and testers should get a big discount on 7 Ultimage! But we don't even get early discount pricing? UBUNTU is free, and if this is truely the way MS will treat us then UBUNTU here I come!
Wow! Congrats Microsoft. YOU GUYS BLEW IT!
I was really looking foward to buying Windows 7 until today. THESE PRICES ARE OUTRAGEOUS! Do any of you guys at Microsoft read the paper? Ever walk outside of the campus? There's a global recession going on and 9.4% of Americans are unemployed. Yet you guys issue prices that almost verbatium like Windows Vista?!?!?!?!?!
You guys have to be nuts.
All I can say is that I am extremely and absolutely disappointed. You guys just handed the advantage to Apple and Linux based operating systems. Although I'll end up having to purchase Windows 7, I'm definitely not going to rush out and get it. Very disappointing Microsoft, VERY DISAPPOINTING!
WTF AGAIN AND AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. AS SOMEBODY WHO WAS STUPID ENOUGH TO PURCHASE WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE, I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW DUMB THIS IS. YOU GUYS trying TO GET ME TO GO OSX? this is insane, and you guys suck hard.
I cant believe that they would charge that much for windows 7 after the failure that was vista... one would think that they would try to get some of their customers back after many have moved to Linux or Mac. I will be downloading the pirated version when it becomes available and i dont care if they know it.
That is really great news!!! I have been following this since i heard about it.
But what is happening with Australia????? I would have thought that Australia would be up there with testing and commenting.
Could you please see if they will be offering anything to Australian Customers?
Also what are the volume licensing options and pricing that are coming out??
Thanks
PS I love your blogs btw. They have kept me and my company up to date with what is happening as we are planning to move to Windows 7. Thanks :-)
I feel very disappointed.
First,the special offer is very unfair that no Asian country will provide this offer.Have you forgotten all of the Windows 7 lovers in Asian Country?
Secondly,the retail price are still too high in this financial and economic situation.If the price would become lower,at least lower $90,I would think a bit.
Since I live in Hong Kong,no offer with lots of charges that included in the price,the price will not be change,I think.
What a joke.
I have had to put up with vista ultimate for two years, with all the problems, and now I get to "upgrade" at full price???!!!! You should be giving it to me for free, plus pay for the medical bills for the ulcers the damn program has given me. You had better rethink your pricing or you will be losing a lot more customers than you already have due to the catastrophe that vista is. Oh, and do I have this right...I get to prepay before it is available. Brilliant!!!
What a bunch of whiners. It would make no difference what Microsoft did with the pricing, there would always be some who think Microsoft owes them more. Well, they don't, so deal with it. If you can't afford Windows 7, don't worry about it. Stick with XP or Vista and move on.
I paid 280$ to upgrade to vista ultimate and I'm still waiting for my *extras* (and 700 languages doesn't count). I haven't heard anybody who bought Vista Ultimate say they got a fair shake - we all feel ripped off. MS never made good on their promise. Now MS offers special deals for everything except win 7 ultimate. Where's the *special* deal for the suckers who bought Vista Ultimate? - Here's the salt, rub it in.
Just saw the Australian pricing would cost $AU1428 to upgrade my 4 computers. This is why I am staying with Vista
Boy am I steamed! I bought Vista Ultimate for a number of reasons including networking features. I provide strategic direction for my company's IT managed service provider.
I haven't used the networking features in tests because Vista was obviously a still-born OS for the corporate world. Now I have just been shafted by Microsoft for buying their premium product.
In the next 3 months my firm will choose whether to begin a two year hardware upgrade program culminating in a Windows 7 migration or shift to a thin client solution....
....Microsoft has just made it easy - I don't need to give Win7 or Terminal Services a real shot...VMWare View here we come!
and it will not end there...we are looking to virtualize our production and DR servers. We had tentatively planned on staying a Microsoft shop, but now that we are going to use VMWare View, I'll make the shift to VMWare ESX and why not? It's certainly the more established platform.
Don't get mad, get even.
Brandon, thanks for confirming the situation with regards to the E-editions in the UK. I look forward to seeing what pre-order deal we get.
I am not personally affected but I can understand the frustration coming from Ultimate users- there were some broken promises with Vista Ultimate and you won't find many who would say it was worth the money.
To those complaining though I would say you might want to take a look at if the less expensive 7 Professional would suit your requirements better now considering it is a true superset of 7 Home Premium. Do you really need the extra features 7 Ultimate has over 7 Professional, or even 7 Home Premium?
I can't say that I am disappointed over the treatment of Vista Ultimate buyers, as many others are, since I am reasonably happy with my system and did not plan to upgrade anyway. Still, were the upgrade cheap enough, I might have changed my mind.
I'm really glad to see that I'm not alone in feeling the Ultimate Shaft. Microsofties, are you even listening? Get REAL. Get a Mac if you have that option! (God I never thought I'd EVER say that)
I'm a PC and I'm Embarrassed
Someone please answer this question: If I buy the Windows vista Home Premium Upgrade can I do a clean install on my computer? Furthermore can I choose to use the 64 bit version even though my Vista runs 32 bit? Thanks in advance for the help.
What about Windows Vista Ultimate users?!
Not that repeating it makes it clearer, but that's really my point:
- If you buy a Windows machine, starting the day _after_ this announcement, you may or may not have to pay a fee to upgrade to Windows 7 depending on who you buy the machine from and which Vista version you get with your machine. The details of what you get, how you qualify and how you'll receive your upgrade may vary. The Upgrade Option might last up to January 31, 2010, except when it doesn't.
- Depending on where you are, or where you buy from, you may or may not pay an estimated, approximate of 10% less for Windows 7 than you would have for the equivalent Vista Home Premium upgrade.
- Depending on the SKU you are interested in, or can upgrade from, you may save a varying figure and/or percentage buying an upgrade instead of full version of a particular level of Windows 7. You may have to pay at least 60% to 70% (between $119.99 to $219.99) of the full price for your upgrade based on estimated US retail prices. Except for Europe, where upgrade options won't be available but the full products will be made available based on estimated upgrade pricing that, in turn, won't exist specific to the region. (So either the US or the EU, or both, are getting screwed on pricing: the US because they may be paying more the EU for full versions; the EU because they are being denied the option to perhaps pay even less for an upgrade option.)
- Depending on where you are, or where you buy from, you may be eligible to pre-order Windows 7 to save a varying figure and/or percentage on the upgrade that could be at least 50% based on estimated US retail prices, but prices _will_ vary per country. The pre-order program starts on various dates for various regions and will end on various dates for various regions or until "supplies" last. (Supplies. Supplies of Windows licenses. What year is this?) Only Home Premium and Professional versions, not Ultimate, are eligible for the pre-order offer.
The pricing level of what is effectively a Vista Service Pack is least of your worries. I thought it was bad enough when you decided to continue churning all the different SKUs (and counting), but this is absolutely pathetic. Microsoft must be spending an absolute fortune thinking up, implementing and keeping tabs on this Kafkaesque nightmare of complexity, ambiguity and red tape.
PRICE GOUGING IN AUSTRALIA
I could not believe the price difference between the U.S. and Australia, especially on the upgrades! Look at these prices:
Home Pemium: USA $US120; Aust. $US159
Professional: USA $US200; Aust. $US319
Ultimate: USA $US220; Aust. $343
Based on current exchange rates.
Even adding in a GST(retail tax) of 10% on the USA prices my calculations for Australian pricing is:
Home Pemium: USA $US120; Aust. $US132
Professional: USA $US200; Aust. $US220
Ultimate: USA $US220; Aust. $242
I will be interested to hear how Microsoft plans to explain away the price difference. We can only hope that we in Australia also get some Pre-order pricing although at the moment this looks unlikely.
A very nice product but I just hate being ripped off.
I'm very disapointed of the pricing of Windows 7. I was before considering to upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, hoping that Microsoft would have thought of Vista failure and propose decent prices.
But they do not propose decent prices. Those prices are a shame. Not mentioning that only certain countries are eligible. And of course, there's no pre-order offer for Ultimate, I needed the multi-languages feature, well I think I will stay with my XP Pro MUI, after all it's working well enough to not having to spend about 300 bucks for 7. If only there was an pre-order offer for Ultimate at about $120, I'm sure lot of people will feel less disappointed and will actually buy it, instead of getting angry (for good reasons, I must add...)
I tested Windows 7 RC and was very enthousiastic to get it, I'm now so disapointed. Well, I guess that's not tomorrow that I'll buy a legal version of Windows. I believe your secret goal is to encourage piracy of Ultimate, or you would have proposed an offer for Ultimate also. Not mentioning that if I were a Vista Ultimate user, I'll be more disapointed again !
By the way, I also tested Debian, it's a free and very good OS. If I can't afford Windows 7 then Debian will be my 7.
Hi,
is it true that u cant Upgrade in europe from Vista to Windows 7 without a complete reinstallation of all Programms because its not shipped with IE8?
Some sites telling MS has Problems with the European Law.
Is that true?
I hope Microsoft will send me a response to my post. I agree with the previous comments about us, the Vista Ultimate owners, being wronged by Microsoft. I have been a faithful (and legal) Microsoft user ever since the DOS days. Owners of a licensed version of Vista Ultimate, should be given the same type of discount when purchasing Windows 7 Ultimate as the discounts for Home Premium and Professional.
I paid $399 for Windows Vista Ultimate in January 2007, and finally got a stable and bug-free Vista with SP1 in Feb 2008. I will pay $319 for Windows 7 Ultimate ($718 total!) because I don't want a situation where in the future I have to reinstall Windows 7 after a complete HDD reformat and I'm required to install Vista first for Windows 7 setup to start. The whole "upgrade" system is outdated, it would be so much nicer if Microsoft took our Vista Ultimate keys, invalidated them in the activation and WGA system and gave us full Windows 7 keys for the upgrade price. What's worse is there's no pre-order program to Windows 7 Ultimate. Vista Ultimate users are going to have the biggest backlash.
Due to the expensive price, I will NOT upgrade to Windows 7 from Windows Vista until my next computer some years later.
Also,can Mr.Brandon tell us why NO ASIAN COUNTRY was chosen to give us 50% off?
And why all people outside US need to pay a more expensive prices of ALL WINDOWS SOFTWARE??
In the past,I think Windows 7 is the best.But now,I may need to change my mind.
Btw Brandon, what about Anytime Upgrade pricing?
ULTIMATE USERS: Microsoft has officially given us, the high-end loyalists, an royal kick in the teeth. Being a PC suddenly becomes more embarrassing than owning an Edsel. I don't really want to experience the too-hip-to-live Mac store employees, but Microsoft is essentially pushing us out their door. Maybe it's time to eat an Apple.
I started with the original Windows and have used every version since all the way through to Vista Ultimate. (I even suffered Millenium.) This is perhaps the final straw. What an insult!
Microsoft, are you trying to drive off your loyal, high end users?
@everyone complaining about 7 Ultimate price
remember YOU CAN'T BUY ULTIMATE IN A BOX. You can get Ultimate on a new PC if the OEM decides to put it on, or using the Anytime Upgrade which upgrades one version of 7 to another in place; Ms hasn't given prices for these yet (so Starter, Home, Business will all have a matrix of prices to move to other versions including Ultimate). So Vista Ultimate users DO get a discount to upgrade to Home or Business versions of 7 - and with so many more features in the Business Version, about the only think you need Ultimate for is BitLocker (I'll say again that should be in Business too). There won't be Ultimate Extras this time, so think whether you need to get upset about not getting something with the same name when you don't need it, as long as you get the upgrade pricing from having paid for Vista.
@people asking about clean installs
by definition a clean install goes over any OS, any bit-level; you don't get your apps or documents, you get a brand new, clean and empty version of Windows. You can always choose to do that with an upgrade disk from Ms (OEM upgrade disks may work differently/require a specific BIOS etc - that's why they're cheaper) because a broken install might need it. The upgrade versions have different and more limited licencing - not moving from machine to machine etc. And in Europe the 'upgrade' versions only do a clean install to remove IE.
I purchased my laptop in april and had vista shoved down my throat. I have decided that since microsoft wont fix the failure known as vista in a reasonable way I will now become a Mac user. So long microsoft.
@Mary
You certainly can buy Vista Ultimate in a box, and I'd be surprised if 7 is any different:
www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx
\
Also, Brandon had a post just a few days ago on the packaging:
windowsteamblog.com/.../check-out-the-new-windows-7-packaging.aspx
Why are those with Vista Ultimate out in the cold when it comes to the pre-order offer. We've already paid more than others and now seems we are the chosen victim to enjoy the same privilige when it comes to paying for the Ultimate upgrade. Nice to know we are appreciated like this.
Another disappointed Windows user with the Windows 7 upgrade pricing for Vista Ultimate users. I run Vista Ultimate on two machines and am surprised to see that there is no discounted pricing for Ultimate users.
I was a Windows 7 beta tester and liked what I saw in Windows 7. I guess I will not be upgrading to Win 7 and will start looking for alternatives. No doubt that the loyal Microsoft users who payed the most for an half baked OS(Vista) are taken for a ride.
Vista Ultimate users should be given a free upgrade to Win7 Untimate.
From jbs221: "I'm a PC and I'm Embarrassed" - If i wasn't so ticked off I'be laughing :)
For Mary-Branscombe:
"remember YOU CAN'T BUY ULTIMATE IN A BOX. You can get Ultimate on a new PC if the OEM decides to put it on, or using the Anytime Upgrade which upgrades one version of 7 to another in place; Ms hasn't given prices for these yet (so Starter, Home, Business will all have a matrix of prices to move to other versions including Ultimate)."
Without knowing the the Anytime Upgrade price how can we know what our total cost is for Ultimate? There is a time limited special going on now. Before I upgrade I'd like to know what my total cost would be. Is that unreasonable? yet if I wait for the Anytime Upgrade price announcement, I may miss out on the special. This wasn't very well thought out by MS.
"So Vista Ultimate users DO get a discount to upgrade to Home or Business versions of 7"
You miss the point - Everybody else gets a special discount (even those with 7 yr old XP) to move to an equivalent or higher version. Those of us that paid the "Ultimate" price don't have that option.
"-and with so many more features in the Business Version, about the only think you need Ultimate for is BitLocker (I'll say again that should be in Business too)."
I already paid for bitlocker in Vista ultimate (in both an upgrad and a full version). I don't want to pay a surcharge to get it in my upgrade.
"There won't be Ultimate Extras this time, so think whether you need to get upset about not getting something with the same name when you don't need it, as long as you get the upgrade pricing from having paid for Vista."
I still haven't gotten any reasonable *extras* from Vista Ultimate, so i certainly wasn't expecting them in Windows 7 Ultimate. Obviously there are no psychology experts at MS. It was a poor choice to have a Windows 7 Ultimate version if it is not equated to Vista Ultimate in terms of upgrading.
If I only owned XP, I be ecstatic about these Windows 7 deals.
Take a poll and see what percentage of users who bought Vista Utlimate for personal use felt ripped off by the unfulfilled *extras* come-on, and then also what percentage feel outraged that they are now being rewarded for paying the *extra* price by getting the *worst* upgrade deal of any version owner. What do you think the outcome will be?
Talking about Vista Ultimate.....
"When you pay top price for a consumer product -- a luxury car, for instance -- you expect the best features, service, and support, not a slap in the face."
--Jeff Bertolucci, PC World
I paid through the nose and supported your, not so well received, operating system and my thanks is paying sky high prices AGAIN?
Loyalty isn't a word in your vocabulary!
Thank you MS for the big sloppy slap in the face!
Que the Apple commercial where Mac and PC compare upgrade prices.
UK Pre-Order prices: Home Premium E £49, Pro E £99
Not bad really considering these are full versions
The price should be $50. Period. No limited time pre-order bogusness. Why wouldn't you want people upgrading to 7? It's so much quicker and better than Vista you should want people upgrading. This is ridiculous. Pretty much just sold me on buying a Mac.
$200 to upgrade Ultimate? After running the 7RC, I see nothing in 7 worth this kind of cash.
I'm sticking with Vista unless one can upgrade from Vista Ultimate to a lesser version (i.e. 7 Premium)
Great job, Microsoft, you just made yourselves look like hypocrites. Guess you never checked out the upgrade prices for Snow Leopard.
@Hurrican Andrew - you're quite right. I was going by what I was being told in February, when Ultimate was going to be an OEM/Anytime Upgrade only product and hadn't spotted that it had graduated to boxed. If I could go back and edit the comment, I would.
@jebbrown "Everybody else gets a special discount (even those with 7 yr old XP) to move to an equivalent or higher version. Those of us that paid the "Ultimate" price don't have that option."
What I mean is, with the changes of features, whether you need to get Ultimate to get the features you need. If the Business edition has the same features you bought Vista Ultimate for, then you don't need 7 Ultimate to be getting an equivalent. If it doesn't (eg BitLocker), then yes, you're not getting an equivalent upgrade. Changing the definition of the SKUs tends to mean people get more than with Vista, but it's definitely confusing...
Thanks for nothing again guys. Aussies will be paying full price for software AGAIN.
I'll stick with XP for as long as it remains practical thanks.
Upgrade for my XP Pro(assuming XP - Win7 is doable under Upgrade) cost after figuring in conversion etc, comes in at probably AU$250 or so. If full would be required, puts it at about $375. For an OS? Snowballs chance baby.
A 50% discount for Aussies, like you are offering the privileged few countries get would make it far more palatable in either case. Sure I would upgrade for $125, and might consider $190 for full if you can't go from XP to Win7.
As a long time sufferer of Dos 4.0, 4.1, 5.0...,Windows 3.0, 3.1, Win95, Xp, and now Vista Ultimate, comes what amounts to the " Ultimate " slap in the face to all it's loyal customers. What is to be viewed as " the status quo " for Corporate greed & indifference. Microsoft growing off the backs of it's tattered users who threw there support behind the company's highest priced software packages early on. With the hopes that those extra dollars would help bring about better operating systems sooner, rather then later. People who Ultimately just wanted a computer system that worked. Far, far too many blinded by the glare of big dollar signs & there own personal interests. Ultimately it sucks when you know; no one is listening.
I'm not one to normally bellyache and complain but the pricing on the Ultimate is ridiculous. Now I'm beginning to understand the Ultimate concept: It is Ultimate Pricing or Ultimate Profit. I'm beginning to feel like the Ultimate Fool for having bought it in the first place. One thing for sure, the Ultimate isn't the Ultimate Value. You could buy another full priced Premium 7 license for the price of the Ultimate upgrade or, using pre-orders, you could upgrade four Premium Vista licences for the same price as one Ultimate upgrade. I'm definitely the Ultimate Fool.
Second, I like the way that Microsoft is "rewarding" loyal MS customers who took the plunge and upgraded to Vista instead of sticking with XP. They get the same price for 7 upgrades as the customers who choose to fore go the cost of Vista upgrades and stick with XP. Gee, thanks for the special consideration! Now I feel like a fool and a doormat.
I had Thought that Microsoft might get it right this time, But I guess you just can not teach an old dog new tricks. $300 for Windows 7 Pro full is outrageous!!!!! Hmmm, maybe time to take another look at Linux or Max........
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@Mary-branscombe:
"What I mean is, with the changes of features, whether you need to get Ultimate to get the features you need. If the Business edition has the same features you bought Vista Ultimate for, then you don't need 7 Ultimate to be getting an equivalent. If it doesn't (eg BitLocker),"
I understand your point Mary. BitLocker, BitLocker to go, Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications, and several other features are only in Ultimate, and the three aforementioned features (particulary BitLocker to go) are indeed important to me. So for me, yes I do feel like I'm getting the shaft.
And if you consider the fact that I generally have either had an MSDN or Technet subscription but still bought the retail products (in fact most recently 2 retail versions of Vista Ultimate and 2 of Office 2007 Ultimate), I feel that while I tried to do what was right, Microsoft, at least in this case, is treating me like dirt.
Perhaps I should just test/evaluate Win 7 Ultimate for 3 or 4 years just to make sure It's okay before I buy it. But that wouldn't be moral would it? So I guess I'm screwed either way. Thanks MS, you've managed to tick off you biggest fans once again.
I have Vista Ultimate. I want to know whether I can upgrade it to Windows 7 Profesional for the $99.99. Will this work?
Wow - am I frustrated! As many others have said - MS kicks their biggest enthusiasts in the nuts by essentially charging us huge for Ultimate Vista and now doing it again.
Except, this time instead of getting the $100 I would have been willing to pay for this retail product (which is really nothing more than MS fixing the botch-up Vista in the first place), now MS isn't going to get ANY of my money for Windows 7...
Hmmm, I wonder - some money... or no money.
I guess it's clear which MS prefers to have.
Oh - and one more point...
I'm am tired of hearing other Vista Ultimate users ask "can I *UPGRADE* from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Pro?"
Let's make this very clear - that is a DOWNGRADE!!!
I purchased Vista Ultimate - I was left with an OS that performed worse for high-end applications I ran than did XP with SP2 and SP3! I received Ultimate "Extras" that were a joke!
If all that is different between 7 Ultimate and Pro is the language expansions and Bit Locker (which Vista Ultimate already has), then you should be giving any Vista Ultimate user a copy of 7 Ultimate for the SAME LOW DISCOUNTED PRICE AS 7 PRO.
Or - better yet - you could recognize that you're losing your grip on the PC market thanks to your horrible marketing strategies.
I am a high-end PC and I'm disgusted.
I was suckered into getting Vista Ultimate, I still have it on my dual boot system along with XP, every couple of months I still boot up, patch it up, benchmark it, find it still isn't as quick as XP and then don't touch it again for another few months (This is from a gamers perspective).
After this experience I was always going to be careful with Windows 7, my attitude was that MS better give me a blooming good deal to entice me into adopting Windows 7.
This is not a good deal, looks like I will be sticking with XP for the forseable future.
I bought Ultimate (running 64-bit with 4 GB RAM currently) mainly for 3 important features..BitLocker, Multiple languages and Extras. The extras turned out to be big disappointment after the promise of "cutting-edge programs". Windows 7 Ultimate also has a killer feature..VHD Boot..but I get no sweet pricing to 7 Ultimate but Pro and Home Premium users get their upgrades. I guess it's time now to decrypt my BitLocker volume to upgrade to the English language version of Windows 7 Pro. But I might as well now try Ubuntu or buy that $999 iMac once Snow Leopard comes out.
It would REALLY be nice if someone from microsoft commented about the issue with Ultimate users. I would really like to know if I need to buy a downgraded professional copy to switch my machines to windows 7. I REALLY don't want to settle for that, but I'm not paying that much again for not many more features than the version below it. I still haven't seen a detailed feature comparison ANYWHERE. I do development on various platforms, and it would be REALLY nice to know EXACTLY what each version has.
Korn:
Here's the best I can find for a detailed feature comparison:
www.winsupersite.com/.../win7_skus_compare.asp
Thanks, it looks like I will need Ultimate for at least most of my machines..
Has anyone heard if USB drives encrypted with Bitlocker To Go can be written to with versions of 7 other than Ultimate or Enterprise. I know it can be read with other versions, but I wasn't sure if an already encrypted drive could be written to with professional.
No pre-order for Windows 7 Ultimate? Why not? Like a lot of people my home PC is used for home as well as work... I'm not wild about upgrading to home premium then updating to ultimate.
They have a preorder, just no discount, but I think that was what you meant anyway..
Wow... I would love to live in whatever alternative dimension Microsoft lives in. No recession, no competition from other companies that offer their OS at less that half the price and where a slap in that face is "a way of saying thank you to our loyal Windows customers"!
When I get my interdimensional portal working, I'll invite all you guys to come with me to visit the magical land that Microsoft inhabits.
Moreover, I think Paul Thurrott's SKU comparison isn't accurate. I am *sure* Home Premium doesn't have Fax & Scan and while it has Shadow Copy, it doesn't have Previous Versions.It lacks Group Policy and full backup functionality too. The only thing that may have changed from Vista regarding SKU distribution is it may have IIS7.5 though I'm not sure of that too. Is there a Windows 7 Product Guide coming like we had for Vista which had an official feature comparison in detail?
Of course it doesn't make any sense for Microsoft to penalize people with Vista Ultimate! You would think they would use their heads.
I am still not getting and answer here or from Microsoft as to whether I can buy the $99.99 upgrade to go from Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Professional. Will this work?
Is the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program avaiilable outside the US?
I just wish the Ultimate version was at 50% as well. I like the others, sure, but I want it all, so the 50% being excluded from the ultimate is... :/ Please reconsider on behalf of your loyal customers, the ones that even praise Vista for reasons beyond the stereotypical ones.
Disappointed that the Ultimate is not part of the 50% discount. Any devoted Windows fan wouldn't settle for any other version, it would be very much appreciated if that edition was added, even in limited supply.
If you want a loyal consumer base, please think about the user over the marketing. It might be a bit of a loss to offer so much, but it only means better public relations than commercials or other special events may attempt.
I'd buy an Ultimate W7 version if it was 50% off, right now. I was planning to, in fact, but was only disappointed in the truth of the matter.
Great news on the reduced pricing, I just signed up at Microcenter today for a coupon to get the upgrade at a very discounted price, which was great.
Isn't the Microcenter coupon only good for one though instead of the 3 max that everyone else has? That was how I had read what they had on their site. There was something in the fine print about one coupon per household, unless the coupons specify up to three.
It would be nice to at least see a response from Microsoft about this Ultimate upgrade issue. And how about the anytime upgrade price for Professional to Ultimate? Could you at least give us something to work with here before the promo expires?
Surely this whole ultimate pricing deal is just a mistake. MS are still busy working out a suitable low pricing for the ultimate upgrade and forgot to drop an allusion to this in the posting about pricing options. If not - I am reasonably happy with my Vista - the bitlocker option is a big assetfor me. If the 7 Ultimate is really going to be that expensive I'll wait till my current machine dies and switch to a Mac - I almost did last time, it is certainly becominga lot more persuasive as time goes on.
Hi Korn1699
Yeah I know other places have different coupons or preorder offers, I just moved appartments this week and MicroCenter was near me (I'll miss Frys though!) so I jumped on their coupon deal as they didnt require a purchase for the coupon... no cash outlay right now suits my employment situation and will keep my options open, if I get a job in the next few months I'll be able to buy Windows7 at a discount.
I may need it too, as I may need to turn my old pc into a media center pc to make up for dropping the wife's DVR and cable service when we moved, saves us $50 a month...I will miss the DVR though. Great to see that Windows 7 is generally getting positive feedback, there was a big queue for coupons at my Microcenter which is postitive, as I like to see companies making money in this economy...gives me hope things will turn around.
I ended up ordering 3 through amazon because the Microcenter savings would be about the gas I would spend on two trips there... I pre-ordered office 2007 and vista before, and I think it came the day of the release or maybe a day early. I can get by with pro on some machines, but I am still hoping Microsoft does something so I can get a deal on Ultimate for my main machines..
I to purchased Vista Ultimate 2 years ago and have had serveral problems with it compared to XP Pro. Ultimate Extras? And! The upgrade pricing is a joke given the promises made by MS. This is especially true in my country, Australia. What bothers me most is that the auther of this blog, Brandon LeBlanc, a MS employee and spokesperson, has not responded to the comments here (1 minor comment about very little). I follow a number of on-line Tech sites and blogs and they don't disown there blogs like this. Another re-install of Ultimate is close due to issues unresolved, again. Fair suck of the sauce bottle on WIN 7 Ultimate upgrade pricing thanks Microsoft.
This is unbelievable. I have been a faithful windows owner since 3.1. I have bought and paid for 95, 98upgrade, XP Pro, and Vista Pro. I have the RC and love it. And was excited of the thoughts of Buying Win7 PRO. $299usd, are you insane. again with these prices. I figured with the way APPLE was doing business they would have learned something about respect to their customers. People that know what they are doing do NOT buy Upgrade packs. it is a hassel and a headache when a reinsall is necessary. I can't get my head around Microsofts Logic now. where is the discount for the full package? Shouldn't RC users get a discount there. I am Outraged.
So, with all this excitement about the impending release, I hope you folks advise people with Intel Extreme Edition Processors, th at their not going to see the correct clock speed in Windows 7. You are going to do that aren't ya? You might want to. It can be never said that you gus didn't know anything about the multiplier issues in Windows for people with intel XE [extreme edition] CPU's. I use to think Microsoft cared about getting it right. But an email I recently received on this matter told me different.
If you have a problem with the lack of an Ultimate promo, or otherwise don't like the prices, and you are a business user or any type of microsoft partner, call them up and complain. If you are just a consumer, calling them will get you nowhere, and obviously posting here will get you nowhere, apparently not even a response. Instead, write up your complaint and email the major PC magazines, post it on whatever appropriate blogs and forums you can find, and then snail mail it to MS corporate headquarters. Don't be a sheep and just expect everything to change to your liking. Windows 7 is an awesome product, but we still have choices.
I'm a PC and I'm mad as hell. BAD MS, BAD.
@Korn1699
Last I was told, you can read BitLocker 2 Go encrypted drives on xp, on vista and on any SKU of w7; you can only encrypt on Enterprise and Ultimate.
I saw somewhere since my post that any 7 sku can read and write to an already encrypted drive, but xp and vista can only read.