Windows 7 family pack priced at 7000

Bangalore: Microsoft has unveiled prices for its forthcoming Windows 7 family pack and Windows 7 anytime upgrade (WAU) offerings. WAU will help users to upgrade initial copies of Windows 7 to a higher edition by purchasing an upgrade license in retail stores or over the Web. Windows 7 family pack will enable users to upgrade as many as three PCs to Windows 7 home premium at a significantly reduced price. Microsoft said on Friday that it will charge $149 for the family pack version of Windows 7. At $149.99, the family pack would save a buyer $210 over three separate Home Premium Upgrades.

Microsoft also announced pricing for the windows anytime upgrade option, which enables users to move from one version of Windows 7 to another. Microsoft said that the move from Windows 7 starter to Windows 7 home premium will cost $79.99. That is one of the key upgrades which Microsoft is hoping to sell by convincing Netbook owners that they really want more of the Windows features.

Among the other prices, the move from Windows 7 home premium to Windows 7 professional will cost $89.99, while going from Windows 7 home premium to Windows 7 ultimate will cost $139.99. Although that last move is pricey, it still represents a 12 percent drop in the cost of going from Windows Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate. Because the move involves only entering a new product code, Microsoft said, "The anytime upgrade in Windows 7 can be done in as little as 10 minutes."

Beginning October 22, consumers will be able to buy retail Windows 7 packages locally that contain the product keys for implementing any of the upgrade paths outlined above. Furthermore, they will be able to purchase Windows 7 upgrades online from directly within Windows 7 if they reside in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.