On Monday, the Redmond Company confirmed via a PR firm that it has "inadvertently" revealed Windows Vista retail prices on its Canadian Website. Microsoft then proceeded to remove the information. The conjuncture proved fertile for the software giant to announce that official financial details for its US version of Windows Vista will be made public following the release candidate one of the operating system due by the end of September 2006.

Microsoft Canada has posted prices for two high-end versions of the OS, Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Home Premium. For the first, the Redmond Company posted a price of $499 Canadian or $450.36 USD while the later has a price tag of $299 or $269.86 USD. Windows Vista Business will sell for $379 or $341 USD and Windows Vista Home Basic for $259 or $233 USD. Amazon has also posted a $399.00 USD for Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD-Rom due in January.

Pricing for Vista Upgrades was also made available. Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade will cost $299 or $269.86 USD, Business Upgrade $249 or $224 USD, Home Premium Upgrade $199 or $179 USD and the Home Basic Upgrade is priced at $129 or $116 USD.