Windows 7 pricing formally announced

Thu Jun 25, 2009 11:36AM EDT

See Comments (15)

After months of speculation, Windows 7 pricing options have finally been unvieled. Not a lot of surprises here, but I do have a lot of information to relay due to the sheer number of options available to end users.

Let's start with upgrade pricing, which is likely how most early buyers will obtain their copies. If you're upgrading an existing PC (with XP or Vista), you're entitled to buy software at these prices (and I'm adding a penny to every price in this story in order to avoid obfuscation of the true costs involved; all prices are MSRP and are subject to further discounting from retailers):

Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade - $120
Windows 7 Professional upgrade - $200
Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade - $220

Again, not a lot of mystery there, but for many, disappointingly on the expensive side. Those are the exact same prices that Vista upgrades cost today, with the sole exception that a Vista 7 Home Premium upgrade costs $130, $10 more.

If you're planning to install from scratch (say, on a home-built PC or from some other OS), you'll have to pay full fare. Those fees are:

Windows 7 Home Premium - $200
Windows 7 Professional - $300
Windows 7 Ultimate - $320

Again, this is the same current pricing as Vista at retail, except $40 cheaper for Windows 7 Home Premium.

The good news comes if you're willing to pre-order an upgrade copy. Confirming earlier rumors, Microsoft is launching a steeply discounted pre-order offer, beginning June 26 (tomorrow). If you're willing to pay now and wait four months, you'll get the Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade for $50 and the Windows 7 Professional upgrade for $100. Those are big discounts, and if you're looking to upgrade current machines, I'd highly recommend jumping on it. The offer ends July 11 in the U.S. and Canada (or "while supplies last"), so don't sit on the fence too long. You can get your pre-order copy here, and general retailers like Amazon and Best Buy will also be selling the steeply discounted copies.

Finally, if you're buying a new PC, beginning tomorrow you will be entitled to a free (or, in some cases, low-cost) upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. Details on specific machines and manufacturers honoring this program will be available on this page beginning tomorrow... though that "low-cost" caveat is a little troubling.

Comments on Windows 7 pricing formally announced

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  • 6 Posted by bluey_da on Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Free upgrade for Vista, that should that include those that have suffered since Vista was released several years ago. After all this is actually Vista SP3 or Vista that works, but sellers are not allowed to say that I believe.

  • 7 Posted by krywick@sbcglobal.net on Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wouldn't install any of their new junk on my computers, not even if they paid me :-)

  • 8 Posted by bella77427 on Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well for those who are about to purchase a new pc I suppose they should wait. I just got mine about a year so I suppose...its upgrade time for me when it comes out. Yet I am in no hurry at the moment to pre-order.

  • 9 Posted by lonbw on Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:26AM EDT Report Abuse

    If windows 7 runs more of XP programs or more of XP hardware it might be worth it. But it does not I still can not run many programs on it that I run on XP and HP 1012 laser printer and Visioneer Scanner 7100usb will not work.My main computer is a dell 518 4gbs ram, 512 video card that does not support XP and took a lot of work to get running but it was worth it. Plus MS lets us see windows 7 Ultimate but what will home premium leave out? I am dual booting Windows 7rc and XPsp2 but do not use 7rc very much.

  • 10 Posted by rosregan66 on Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:35AM EDT Report Abuse

    Just bought a new computer that had vista home premium and does anyone out there think its a good idea to upgrad to a windows 7 professional for compatibility of things that worked on the xp and not on vista? Any infor would be appreciated. And also is the deal that microsoft is giving of ordering now for $100. dollars for the professional upgrade a complete system windows 7 upgrade? for professional that is. What are the differences of professional and home premium. I would venture to say the professional would be complete as to exception all of the things that vista did not. Am I right in assuming this? Any information by you more experienced computer people would help me decide if an upgrade to this new program would be helpful. Thank You all so much.

  • 12 Posted by gabrink45 on Sun Jun 28, 2009 12:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    IMPORTANT; June 28, 09; If you have Win XP- ; Buy Vista Home premium Upgrade !!! This will entitle you to free Win 7 Home premium upgrade on or aboutOct.22, 09. Note: Buy the DVD for both. This Way A Lot of software you Have will not have to be backed up if you only buy Win 7 upgrades. I'm not a Computer Geek so This is going to work for me. gabrink45

  • 13 Posted by duchanh_2000 on Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:11AM EDT Report Abuse

    hmmmm.... Ubuntu is running smooth in my PC. And best of all, it's free.

  • 14 Posted by quad.core4 on Thu Jul 2, 2009 6:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    OMFG Macs are not perfect so people stop saying they are they get viruses like everything else if you like MACS so much then don't post on here....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 15 Posted by david_deguzman on Wed Oct 7, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    When XP first came out, you could not use the upgrade version if your PC had an OEM version (Dell, Gateway, etc...) of Windows ME or 98SE. You had to buy the full install version at the full version price. Will Windows 7 be the same way or would I be able to upgrade a Dell with Vista to 7 at the upgrade price?

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