Windows 7 official pricing announced, limited pre-orders start tomorrow

Microsoft just laid out the Windows 7 pricing grid for us, and here's the big takeaway: Vista and XP users will need to pony up $119.99, $199.99, or $219.99 on October 22 to score their Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate upgrade, and those of you who want a full retail disc will need to roll up with $199.99, $299.99, or $319.99 respectively. It's not quite that simple, though: starting tomorrow, June 26, you'll be able to pre-order upgrades at much cheaper prices -- $49.99 for Home Premium and $99.99 for Professional, just as we'd heard -- but pre-orders will be strictly limited in number and are expected to sell out quickly. Obviously we'd prefer it if final pricing was $49 and $99 for everyone, but it's not a bad start, especially since participating manufacturers will be offering cheap / free upgrades to 7 on new computers sold after tomorrow with Vista as well.

Oh, and don't you worry about scoring a place in line, because we're here to help: later today we'll be giving away 100 codes that guarantee a pre-order spot at the discounted prices, and you'll be able to share the code with two friends. You'll have to act fast, though -- the codes will only be valid for 48 hours. Keep your eyes peeled for our recession antidote post around noon EST, and get your clicky-fingers ready.

Update: Looks lke we've got our first participating manufacturer -- HP machines sold after tomorrow will receive free upgrades to 7, and we're hearing Sony will announce a similar offer soon. We'll be keeping a full list of announcements as the day goes on, check back later for more.

[Zodiac Posted Jun 25th 2009 6:45PM]

What a rip off! People will stick with their good old XP. Who wants to pay for Vista Pro!

[Brad Green Posted Jun 25th 2009 7:00PM]

dont really need it, but im sure i can find a use for them.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 7:38PM]

Can you upgrade from the release candidate? Will icrosoft offer a special deal for the RC testers? The world wants to know.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 8:08PM]

I guarantee if Windows 7 were free, some would still complain about errors & lag with their steam tea kettled eyes & smoked blowing ears.. ;o be happy with Vista or whatever you have.. some people cannot afford a computer device period .. ! upgrades sound nice tho ;x

- cheemsz

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 8:48PM]

Preorders? Wow.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 11:47PM]

so nobody is telling us where to go tomorrow to buy one of the cheap copies if you don't win a code here.
Most real news article have the complete story not just part. I know these guys are just Bloggers not journalists!

[jkrans Posted Jun 25th 2009 9:49PM]

Are they nuts!? Vista Ultimate users originally spend $400 for a crap OS and are now being forced to pay an addition $220 to get the stable OS that Vista should have been. I understand the upgrade pricing from an XP standpoint, but its well documented what a screw-up Vista was. Vista users have been through enough and shouldn't be paying a penny for this new OS. You would think Microsoft would take a page from Apple here and at least offer a deep discount similar to the $29 Leopard pricing. I'm glad I got Vista for dirt cheap awhile back or I would be furious about this pricing structure.

[MrDiSante Posted Jun 25th 2009 10:15PM]

7, 8, 9, 10

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 10:37PM]

this is really cool offer , I HATE VISTA

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 28th 2009 5:16AM]

I like the way you comment! I wish people would say they hate "whatever's being discussed"; not, " 'Whatever you hate is occupied here' is the worst whatever ever", or, "whatever is the crappiest n ever; it sucks!".

[spin cycle Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:03AM]

Amazon is already selling. Ordered.

[slbailey1 Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:10AM]

Just order 2 Windows 7 Home and 1 Windows 7 Pro from Amazon!!!

[fleadog99 Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:13AM]

just ordered home premium windows didn't even update the site yet.

[redondoman Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:24AM]

I think I'll wait till January 2010. I'm sure by then newegg will be selling an OEM W7 Ultimate for the near $100 range.

[hobbes9 Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:39AM]

Just got my pre-order on at Amazon.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:51AM]

I plan on upgrading 3 copies of vista(lol) so help me out. Thanks Engadget.

[slbailey1 Posted Jun 26th 2009 1:22AM]

You can order Windows 7 from Amazon.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 2:30AM]

How many pcs can I install with one upgrade disc?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 7:51AM]

50 bucks isn't bad, I hope I can pre-order

[BMills Posted Jun 26th 2009 7:50AM]

Thank you for the upgrade pricing Microsoft!

I headed over to BestBuy.com this morning, and got 3 copies of Home Premium.

$150 dollars is not a bad way to upgrade 3 of my computers.

My 4th computer (that I built) will get the most love, Full version of Windows 7 Ultimate.......

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 10:50AM]

Nice, get it while its hot! At those prices, you cant go wrong!

RT
www.anon-tools.tk

[dhoman Posted Jun 26th 2009 9:10AM]

asdfsdf

[lucmacn Posted Jun 26th 2009 9:22AM]

what about in Asia? 99 Yen?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 11:56AM]

so... does that mean we can walk in to bestbuy to preorder, but we need this code to order from microsoft? and then is the bestbuy preorder discounted?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 10:55AM]

Can someone tell me what the best windows 7 package is for gaming? I mean, will home premium suffice?

Should I buy it now? I'm not sure what to do! I don't want to regret missing the discount prices. Would appreciate some advice from you fellow engadgeteers...

[kevout Posted Jun 26th 2009 11:29AM]

Just ordered my copy of Home Premium from Newegg. A penny under $50 total for a legit OS? Works for me. I'll use it to upgrade from the free copy of Vista Business that Engadget tipped us off to years ago. Perfect!

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 12:45PM]

Caution on Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade: Microsoft may work you over again.

Be sure to check to see if you have Vista ultimate before ordering ANY upgrade at special pricing.

It appears that "in-place upgrade" is NOT available for Windows 7 users who buy anything less than Ultimate (and that is at full price). If you "downgrade" your version of windows, you can only do a full install - meaning that you are required to install all your programs again - and all your customizations, ...

You can verify the information at Microsoft with their Windows 7 upgrade advisor. --> It specifies that if you have Vista Ultimate, you lose the option of installing Windows 7 lesser versions over top of Vista Ultimate.

Should we say thanks to Microsoft for rewarding those loyal customers who got ripped off by buying Vista Ultimate?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 26th 2009 2:53PM]

Who would buy Professional? Why not just shell out another $20 for Ultimate?

[GixxeR Posted Jun 27th 2009 12:40PM]

I'm running Vista 64-bit Home Premium that I installed on my new PC through an OEM disk. If I get the "upgrade version" of Win7 Pro, can I do a clean install on my system? I want to start over with a clean system. Also does Win7 come with 64-bit?? Still having a hard time deciding which version to get, HP, Pro, or Ultimate.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 29th 2009 12:01PM]

Any idea what version supports dynamic disks? Only Vista Business and Ultimate did, so i'm kind of confused. I don't really want to pay for Windows 7 Ultimate if I don't need to.