14 DAY TRIAL // When it comes down to Windows 7 special offerings, Microsoft still has one or two aces up its sleeve. While it revealed the official pricing details for the upgrade and full retail boxes of Windows 7, and went live with a program designed to allow consumers in select markets to buy the Home Premium and Professionals SKUs of the OS at considerable discounts, the Redmond company has yet to unveil discount initiatives and price tags for additional offerings and flavors of the next iteration of the Windows client. This is the case with the Windows 7 Family Pack and the Windows Anytime Upgrade options. But even with Microsoft keeping a tight lid on the Windows 7 Family Pack and WAU pricing, company partners from the retail channel have made sure to leak the prices to the public.
It is the case of Expercom (via ZDNet), which features WINDOWS 7 FAMILY PACK/ HOME PREMIUM UPGRADE Microsoft - Model GFC-00236 for $136.95. The special offer can still be accessed, but not on the website. Users interested can turn to the Google cache. The Windows 7 Family Pack was confirmed unofficially via the End User License Agreement for one of the leaked versions of Windows 7 Home Premium close to RTM. The Family Pack rights in the EULA allow end users to install the Home Premium edition of Windows 7 on no less than three computers in their home. Microsoft has yet to reveal the official details associated with Windows 7 Family Pack. Still, don't expect $136.95 to be the official price since tags vary from reseller to reseller, with University IT Computer Sales listing the Windows 7 Family Pack for $144.95.
At the same time, Expercom also reveals the pricing for the Windows Anytime Upgrade editions of Windows 7. WAU permits Windows 7 users to seamlessly upgrade from one edition of the operating system to an SKU with additional features. Microsoft also allowed Windows Vista users to perform Windows Anytime Upgrades. Here are the prices according to Expercom:
UPG WINDOWS ANYTIME/W7 STARTER TO HOME PREMIUM UPGRADE Microsoft - Model 4WC-00040 $81.95 UPG WINDOWS ANYTIME/W7 HOME PREMIUM TO PROFESSIONAL UPGRADE Microsoft - Model 7KC-00040 $90.95 UPG WINDOWS ANYTIME/W7 HOME PRE TO ULTIMATE UPGRADE Microsoft - Model 39C-00040 $137.95.
The estimated retail prices for full packaged retail products of Windows 7 in the U.S. are: Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99; Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99; and Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99.
The estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail products of Windows 7 in the U.S. are: Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99; Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99; and Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99.