Microsoft confirms Windows 7 family pack
Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed that it does plan to offer a "family pack" for Windows 7 that can be used on up to three PCs.
The software maker acknowledged the move as part of a blog entry Tuesday afternoon. However, it still isn't saying how much it will charge for the family pack, which allows three installations of the home premium version of Windows 7.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
The move was hardly a surprise, after Microsoft included references to the family pack as part of licensing terms in a test version of Windows 7 that leaked onto the Internet.
Windows users have been calling for a family pack since before Windows Vista, and Apple has offered a family pack for Mac OS X since 2002. With Vista, Microsoft had a promotion for a time that allowed those who bought a copy of the Ultimate edition to buy up to three copies of Home Premium at a discount. Apple's family pack covers up to five machines.
Earlier this month, Microsoft ran a deal where people in the U.S. could order Windows 7 Home Premium for $49 and Professional edition for $99, but that deal has ended. A similar promotion in Europe is still going on, although it has sold out in some places. Those who bought Windows Vista Ultimate complained that so far Microsoft has yet to offer a discounted way for them to move to Windows 7 Ultimate, feedback that Microsoft has said it is taking under consideration.
Microsoft is expected to announce by the end of July that it has finalized the code for Windows 7. The blog posting on Tuesday discussed the so-called "release to manufacturing" process but did not offer any update on the timing of that stage.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
For goodness sake just give us the damn price!
Windows 7 Home Premium $199.99 (FPP) $119.99 (UPG)
Windows 7 Professional $299.99 (FPP) $199.99 (UPG)
Windows 7 Ultimate $319.99 (FPP) $219.99 (UPG)
OEM pricing would be from MSFT to OEM hardware makers. You can't buy Windows reail installation media from those OEM's. They will have their own customized images instead.
'Everyone with a clue knows that" to quote a recent post.
I respect you, and never thought I'd be siding with Penguinisto (a.k.a. Random_Walk), but I'm afraid you're mistaken this time. Windows does come in OEM packages as well as retail packages. The retail version is more expensive, comes in a cardboard box, and can be transferred to a new machine (once you call MS and solemnly swear that this is the only machine it's currently installed on). An OEM package comes shrink-wrapped with a manual and a few other documents, and the license is good for only one activation. If your mobo gets fried, the license dies with it.
Ever done an XP repair install? When someone buys a pre-built machine, it comes with an OEM version, modified to bear the OEM's own logos and crapware. You can't do a repair install on one of these machines with a retail version; you have to have an OEM disc. That said, I believe you can pre-order Windows 7 Home from BestBuy for $49, and Pro for $99. Cheers!
You are describing retail. That's a retail OEM version. Far different than the wholesale price that Dell, HP etc. would get.
Vista Ultimate:
Retail $196
Retail Volume $185 (each in a 3 pack)
OEM $173
help from him.
I wonder how would they now?
I was being sarcastic. Just pointing out a inevitable comment that will be brought up by the few who hate competition.
Excellent idea! And every Mac should have a copy included as well... since there is a good sized number of people who run Windows now on their Mac, they should get a discount too. :)
Somehow I don't think Apple will ever offer Windows on their systems.... Oh well, their loss.
Windows 7 Home Premium only offers peer to peer networks via Workgroups. Much like XP Home offered.
Windows Vista Business and Ultimate were the only versions that had Windows domain name support, every other version under them only had Workgroup support.
That is how Microsoft squeezes more money out of businesses by limiting network support in lower versions.
Of course Microsoft would be happy and glad to offer an upgrade key via a fee per license to issue a new serial number for upgrading the Home version to Pro or Ultimate. Each copy of Windows 7 has all of the features for Ultimate and below in it, and the serial key unlocks the features for each version. So you have to buy a new key via an instant upgrade to change your current key to a higher version that includes domain support and advanced networking.
Business Edition includes:
MUI or Multiuser Language support - one version suports 32 different languages. This in itself is of value to cusotmers who a.) have a presence in another country or b.) need more than one language for their users
Bitlocker Drive Encryption - this gives you the ability to lock down and encrypt your drive - extremely useful for businesses who have mobile travelers. Lose the laptop and not the data that resides on it. This encryption can also be applied to portable devices and other drives extremely handy and a requirement for any public company (think SOX)
These are just two differences and there's plenty more. If you are only looking for the peer to peer that's one thing - saying that Microsoft uses it to squeeze money out of businesses sounds pretty damn stupid. Business pay more because, a.) they need more functionality and they have more demanding needs, and b.) end users generally don't need all the bells and whistles like bitlocker or domain accessibility.
How many homes do you think would have both primary and secondary domain controllers on separate machines as part of their system? DHCP, file and print servers? How much money in hardware do you think the average home user is going to spend on setting up a high volume business class network only to share files and content in their small home setup?
Why pay for all those features if you won't be using them? XP Home was fine for those people. Vista home worked well too.
I think you may have misunderstood the features and limitations of the products you are referring to. Thsi sort of misinformation tens to confuse matters more than help.
He knows that the Snow Leopard upgrade will have a family pack, $49 for up to five Macs. See http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/06/08macosx.html
WHAT is this family pack program, is it like the ms-plus from windows 98???
You may as well buy a new PC
"Can a $320 Netbook even run Windows 7 Ultimate?"
My Acer Aspire One handles Ultimate with ease. However I don't have a TV tuner on board so I can't take advantage of that, but the rest works without a hitch. No issues what so ever. Installation took about 20 min start to finish.
Why do people need the Ultimate Edition? Two words? Bit-Locker! That's the main thing that is in Windows 7 Ultimate that is NOT in other versions made for home usage.
I'm pretty sure that the RC is close the Ultimate version of Win7, I'm running it on a Asus 1000HE netbook and it flies.
a netbook runs ultimate quite fast
IMHO, Vista users should get a reduced price to upgrade to Win7 as compared to XP users. It's like upgrading to any other software. For example, if I upgrade to Adobe CS4, then my cost will be less if I have CS3 as compared to CS2.
I bought the Vista upgrade, upgraded my computer hardware and now if I want to upgrade to Win7, it'll cost me more than XP users (who skipped upgrading to Vista) if you factor in the upgrade cost of Vista. Where's the brand loyalty?
Maybe I should just switch to a Mac. Let's hope Microsoft still offers a reduced price by October to Vista users AND Vista Ultimate users.
Or... geez, get a ife. :)
Disclaimer since GM went bankrupt i don't know if they still do that, but many auto companies do.
l
Glad I could help. ;)
That's a obvious empty threat. You can't get a discount on a win7 upgrade so you threaten to actually pay more to switch to a Mac. Go ahead, nobody is stopping you.
Keep forward to Windows 7 Professional. Skip Home editions. Pro is powerful one.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=wcfeed
The same post confirms that there will be a Family Pack for Home Premium in "select markets", with price to be forthcoming. Just go to windowsteamblog dawt com, and read the article (at the top) entitled "When will you get Windows 7 RTM?"
Who needs windows anyways, these days!
Only $189 on Newegg.
$400.00 for a OS??? K Netbook $350, OS = $400??? Makes sense??? No... Apple $29 To upgrade, MSFT Confused!!!! Linux OS = FREE!!! MSFT Confused!!! Apple no problems with Virus protection, MSFT so which Antivirus should I install today and pay $99 for to protect my computer for 10 minutes!!! UMMMM Let me keep going Touch Screen Laptop $899.00 $400.00 OS????? UMMMM I don't think we need a Multi-Billion dollar Company and bunch of over paid I..... to figure this out, that your success will be down the drain!!! I will switch to Mac pay the extra money and never deal with your headaches again, and don't have to worry about all the problems that your software would have coming out of the Box and how I have to update and patch and SP1, SP2, SP3 update it!!! Hey here is another Idea, if I really get tired of Apple, I use apple but MSFT on it, much better screen, much better laptop, Battery last forever, looks nice and here is a message for you I WAS a PC and you screwed us over!!!!
Microsoft does not make a computer to sell their OS with. If they did, you'd see Windows OS sell much cheaper, but be limited to use with Microsoft computers - just like Apple restricts OSX to genuine Mac computers.
We can complain about the high price of Windows, or over-priced Macs, but the price for them both must be fair, or none of them would sell. I'm pretty sure if Microsoft sold Windows 7 upgrades for $29, they'd be losing money. Just as Apple would be losing money if they sold Mac Books for $600.
Otherwise -- why did they provide the RC of 7? [good until March] Are they wanting us all to be patient?
Maybe the deal will come after release. But that's dumb. Tell us now, so we know, and can plan.
Microsoft needs to be clear about their plans, or they risk alienating the very people whom can help them start to make PCs cool. [as cool as a Mac, anyway]
Continue to listen MicroSoft.
- by redboy33 August 4, 2009 8:55 PM PDT
- I would buy windows 7 pro in a family pack for $149. I want XP mode and the ability to join a domain... Why can't MS price windows 7 proi for the average joe? Make the Home Premium Family Pack $99.. It'll fly off the shelves and MS can move on and forget the Vista disaster. Even the staunchest pirate may buck up for that?? HA HAH AH... sorry, that was funny...
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(59 Comments)I would like to add that I have never paid for a copy of any MS product, not that I pirate, my company pays for volume licensing.. but I swear.. Just to be perfectly "legit" (as I don't use my pc for "work" all of the time) I would buy win7pro in a family pack if MS priced it under $150... I can't explain why $150 is my Mendoza Line, it just seems fair? Doesn't it? MS are you listening? America is broke (or is it just me?) Throw us a bone!!
Just sayin'