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Microsoft reveals Windows 7 Windows Anytime Upgrade and Family Pack details

Jul. 31, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

I've been waiting on this announcement so I could update my WUA feature focus for RTM; I'll do that over the weekend. Here's the scoop:

Most people buy a PC preinstalled with the edition of Windows that meets their unique needs. However, for some customers their needs may change over time.

Windows Anytime Upgrade

With Windows Anytime Upgrade (or WAU), we make it super easy and convenient for the small number of customers who’s PC needs evolve to need a higher edition of Windows 7.

Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium

Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium: $79.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Professional: $89.99
Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate: $139.99*

* You’ll note that we’ve reduced the price of moving from Home Premium to Ultimate 12% in the US as compared to Vista pricing

If you live in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or the US (13 countries) – you will be able to purchase the upgrade from Microsoft online directly within Windows 7.

Windows 7 Family Pack

Now let’s talk about the Windows 7 Family Pack.

Family Pack of Windows 7 Home Premium

The Windows 7 Family Pack is an easy and affordable way to get all your PCs in your household running Windows 7 through licensing to install Windows 7 Home Premium on up to 3 PCs.

The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available starting on October 22nd until supplies last here in the US and other select markets [emphasis mine --Paul]. In the US, the price for the Windows 7 Family Pack will be $149.99 for 3 Windows 7 Home Premium licenses. That’s a savings of more than $200 for three licenses. This is a great value and we’re excited to be able to offer it to customers.

"While supplies last"???? OH COME ON.

This is all such good news. Until that last bit. Geesh.

Discuss this Article 14

kent909
on Jul 31, 2009
I wonder if I buy a three pack if I can scalp two of the three?
Ocean
on Jul 31, 2009
Business week touches on why -- they are looking to raise prices over the next year...giving away the product at a discount doesn't help that: "Ballmer also explained that the company’s goal is to raise PC prices in the next year." http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ByteOfTheApple/blog/archives/2009...
jkb1242
on Jul 31, 2009
So will it be possible to upgrade from a single user Windows7 Premium to a family pack? I already pre-ordered a copy of Windows7 Premium.
rlcronin
on Jul 31, 2009
Yes I agree its silly (while supplies last). Maybe it would make more sense if they said "as long as we don't lose so much money on sales that we have to layoff even more people", eh? -- bc
Grannyville
on Jul 31, 2009
I wish they will hurry up and announce the 'other selected markets'. I've put off pre-ordering Windows 7 because of this famiy pack. I have 2 desktops and a possible new laptop that I wish to put 7 on.
chuckb84
on Jul 31, 2009
"Ballmer also explained that the company’s goal is to raise PC prices in the next year." Kind of undercuts that whole "we're the cheapest guy in town" message, doesn't it? Ballmer also got off a bunch of unintentional howlers. ""Share versus Apple, you know, we think we may have ticked up a little tick," Ballmer said at the 2009 Financial Analyst Meeting, "but when you get right down to it, it's a rounding error. " "Apple's share globally cost us nothing," Funny that they're spending so much advertising money to counter a "rounding error." He seems to spend a lot of time thinking about that company that he doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about. "The 40-minute speech covered a variety of Apple-related topics, including product pricing, advertising, and the number of Macs in the audience. Ballmer noted the large number of Apple machines in the crowd as he spoke, saying the Windows maker has a "low share" in the investor audience. "I can see the Apple logos versus the PC logos," Ballmer told the crowd. "So we have more work to do, more work to do. Our share is lower in this audience than the average audience. But don't hide it. I've already counted them. I have been doing that since we started talking." But, my favorite was this gem, "At least when Apple attacks us, the primary attack that comes from Apple is, 'Hey, at the end of the day, we have the coolest hardware," No, no, no. As many here have pointed out, the hardware under the case is the same! This man runs Microsoft and doesn't get that the difference is the software? If any of you have Microsoft stock, it is very much in your interest to get this guy gone.
brostbeef
on Jul 31, 2009
I like the Family Pack idea, but I still disagree with how their doing "Upgrade" edition installs. If the rumors are true, these are the steps I will have to take to get Windows 7 to re-install from a Vista "Upgrade" edition. 1) Format drive 2) Install Vista (no product key) 3) Install Vista (AGAIN!!!) with a product key (upgrade) 4) Activate Vista over the phone and try to explain to the representative that I just want to re-install Windows 7. 5) Stick in the Windows 7 disk 6) Nuke the drive with Win7 disk 7) Install Windows 7 That means about 20-30 minutes for Vista install 1, another 45-60 minutes for install 2, and ANOTHER 20-30 minutes for Windows 7. Thanks for making a simple re-installation of Windows a 2 hour ordeal. Jerks! (All that aside, I really like Windows 7. I'm just asking for a little easier process when I want to start fresh)
Avro
on Jul 31, 2009
This is really silly. Apple is selling 35% of its OS X units in a 5 user family pack. I am beginning to think that Microsoft has a death wish.
gorath
on Jul 31, 2009
Avro, Apple sells the vast majority of OSX units with it's own hardware.
RaggieSoft
on Jul 31, 2009
So in my case, this is going to mean digging out my old XP Pro disc just to reinstall a 7 Upgrade!? Am I reading correctly
RaggieSoft
on Jul 31, 2009
(in my case: I have XP as a New User license, Vista Ult as Upgrade, and I'm getting 7 Ult when it comes out - and no 7 Pro doesn't meet my needs)
drothgery
on Jul 31, 2009
And the vast majority of Windows licenses are sold with OEM hardware, too. And the vast majority of the rest are corporate volume licensing. Retail OS sales exist only to keep upgrade-happy enthusiasts content. I don't think MS would bother offering them at all, except that enthusiasts are very influential with mainstream users.
SPiotr
on Jul 31, 2009
"The Windows 7 Family Pack will be available starting on October 22nd until supplies last here in the US and other select markets.In the US, the price for the Windows 7 Family Pack will be $149.99 for 3 Windows 7 Home Premium licenses" Paul can you clarify? Available for a limited time and then NOT AVAILABLE.... or not available at the SAME PRICE?
robertsjoe
on Jul 31, 2009
There is obviously some sort of agreement between this blog and Microsoft regarding the reporting of negative news related to Microsoft. What with zero mention of Microsoft's massive yearly revenue decline. Something is going on.

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