Windows 7 pre-orders begin, now (update: but not for Europe)

Tomorrow is today which makes it time to get your Windows 7 pre-order in. Amazon issued a big 'ol press release telling us that it's now offering the Home Premium Upgrade and Professional Upgrade packages for $49.99 and $99.99 though July 11th, while supplies last -- nothing special there as it's the standard pricing you'll find at all your favorite on-line retailers. Amazon does promise, however, that you'll "receive the product" when released to shops on October 22nd. Note a 3 per customer limit so don't get greedy, ok? It's not like Microsoft can just press the OS onto another disc or something.

Update: Reduce priced pre-orders for the UK won't begin until July 15th with prices set at £49 for Windows 7 Home Premium E and £99 for Professional E, both will ship without Internet Explorer.

Update 2: For those wondering about the upgrade prices for Europe... there aren't any. In the UK, the Home Premium "upgrade" is actually a full-version of the OS and will cost £80 (about $131), Professional "upgrade" will cost £190 (about $312), and Ultimate will cost £200 (about $328) until the end of the year -- they'll cost £150 ($246), £220 ($361), and £230 ($377), respectively, starting January 1, 2010. According to the BBC, Microsoft claims that it can't offer the lower upgrade pricing ($120, $200, or $220 for Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate in the US) in order to comply with European competition regulations, a claim that EU regulators dismiss. As such, going from Vista to Windows 7 will require a clean install in the EU in order to remove Internet Explorer -- no in-place upgrades will be possible according to Microsoft. Look EU, if you're going to fine Microsoft billions for anti-competitive behavior then you have to expect this kind of tail-between-the-legs retribution, honest or not. You certainly can't say that Microsoft is using its market dominance to push out the competition when Apple's Snow Leopard is coming in September for a mere $29. Happy now?

[Thanks, Gavin]

[mocax @ Jun 26th 2009 2:02AM]

when will it be available to un-americans like me? :(

[Mahesh @ Jun 26th 2009 2:09AM]

me too

[Sicarius @ Jun 26th 2009 2:29AM]

Preorders are being offered in the US, Canada, and Japan: http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/06/windows-7-preorders-begin-in-the-us-canada-and-japan.ars

Note that it's not just Amazon, the article has tons a long list of other online retailers that are participating.

[Steveorevo @ Jun 26th 2009 2:48AM]

Does anyone know if it comes with a basic DVD codec, unlike XP, Vista, or is this like other Microsoft operating systems?

At just $99 which is much less then XP and Vista unoperating systems I'm thinking not likely?

[CreepinJesus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:14AM]

@Steveorevo - Probably not... but just like XP and Vista there's one ready on Windows Update straight away. Though I could have sworn Vista comes with one out of the box...

[luminus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:38AM]

@Steveorevo

Only Vista Home Basic didn't come with DVD codec I think. Rest did.

XP doesn't come with any DVD codecs at all. Not even via Windows Update.

Probably same thing with Win7. There's definitely DVD codec in Home Premium and above. Heck, it even comes GPU-ACCELERATED h.264/mpg4 codec in the box. Love that thing in Win7 RC. I can finally play my HD video files with minimal CPU usage! And that's with my crappy integrated DX10 AMD motherboard! (100% CPU before with CCCP on XP/Vista, now 15% CPU afterward without even installing any codecs at all. :D )

[Tyrotoxism @ Jun 26th 2009 5:40AM]

Having read the updates, I don't think it really matter when it comes to the UK =(

£150 as of 2010! A HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS!!!

I have to say, Microsoft need to get their pricing act together. And I can understand why taking IE out would mean no upgrade version, but this is just eww... I think I'll be sticking with RC1 and just hoping there aren't any gaping flaws =(

(£150! I could have a GTX260 for that! well... almost, £10 extra =P)

[No1 @ Jun 26th 2009 7:01AM]

The no IE = no upgrade is plain and simple bullshit!

How hard would it be to set up a web page where you need to validate an old XP or Vista key to use a "upgrade" version (even if it technically formats the hard drive, the technical aspect doesn't matter to anyone but MS morons who think the people of europe will rise up in protest against what the evil EU is doing to nice, sweet MS)?

[Mike @ Jun 26th 2009 7:11AM]

JUST SO YOU KNOW:


EUROPE IS NOT ONLY THE UNITED KINGDOM. EVERY TIME YOU TALK ABOUT EUROPE YOU HAVE TO MENTION THE PRICE IN POUNDS? WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED "EURO" IN THE REST OF EUROPE.

[Shinigami @ Jun 26th 2009 8:01AM]

"You can not upgrade windows because it involves deleting internet explorer."
How about we delete it ourselves and install the upgrade? Or why does it not offer us to remove IE prior to 7 install?
Just a lame reason to charge premium.

[Steveorevo @ Jun 26th 2009 8:55AM]

OK, missing DVD codecs aside. I think I would just be happy if the OS came with some modern conveniences like, oh, a spell checker. For email and webforms w/out having to pay another $299 for office. Now that'd be swell!

[Steveorevo @ Jun 26th 2009 9:03AM]

Just checked. No XP never came with a DVD codec, not through windows update either. You have to pay for power DVD, nvidia cinema or some other third party crap like cyberlink. Vista too in exception to ultimate. And still no spell checker. Boooo! To play DVDs and spell check your mail you'll need over 300$ in extras. That's an unoperating system! What gives? If apple can play a DVD out of the box and spell stewwwwpid correctly why can't M$?

[Dan @ Jun 26th 2009 9:51AM]

"Just checked. No XP never came with a DVD codec, not through windows update either. You have to pay for power DVD, nvidia cinema or some other third party crap like cyberlink. Vista too in exception to ultimate"

No, Home Premium and above included DVD playback. Do better research.


" And still no spell checker. Boooo!"

There a plenty of free ones.


" To play DVDs and spell check your mail you'll need over 300$ in extras."

No, you need $0 in extras if you have a version that isn't starter (and that only comes on pre-built machines and if there was a DVD drive the OEM would include a player)

[rock99rock @ Jun 26th 2009 10:10AM]

On newegg-

http://promotions.newegg.com/Microsoft/Windows7/PreSale/index.html?cm_sp=Homepage_Top_Right-_-Windows7/PreSale-_-http%3a%2f%2fpromotions.newegg.com%2fMicrosoft%2fWindows7%2fPreSale%2f362x130.jpg

[OneLove @ Jun 26th 2009 10:28AM]

@mocax: You just don't feel like an american today?

[the4thheat @ Jun 27th 2009 9:39PM]

@Dan
There is no Home Premium version of XP. XP came in either Home, Professional, or Media Center Edition. Neither Home or Professional came with DVD decoding support-it had to be added by installing a 3rd party DVD player that had DVD support and then you could use Windows Media Player to play DVDs after that.
I believe MCE supports DVDs out of the box though, but it was never available as a retail installation and only came OEM on Media Center PCs.

[PhotoFre@k @ Jun 26th 2009 2:03AM]

Would love one for my laptop but I guess many driver are not available for Win7 so oh I'll give this a pass.

[wana10 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:06AM]

a lot of vista drivers work on win7.

[D @ Jun 26th 2009 2:38AM]

what would make you think that.

Just bought mine BTW

[luminus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:42AM]

Depends on your laptop I guess. All Vista drivers should be compatible. If you have a machine with Dx9 or higher, you should be fine.

Go try the RC and see. I think they also have some tools to tell if drivers are available for all your hardware. I tried RC on 5 machines now and so far everything has been flawless.

[Alex @ Jun 26th 2009 9:21AM]

A fresh install of Windows 7 yielded these results for me:
- On our new Dell Studio XPS desktop - a completely clean device manager
- On my Dell XPS M2010 "laptop" - only one device with an error, fixed by the vista driver
- On my Toshiba Satellite craptop - only two devices with errors, fixed by xp drivers

So you've nothing to fear.

[Ducman69 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:06AM]

I haven't had a Vista driver yet that I couldn't get working on Windows 7. Considering how long Vista has been out, unless the manufacturer has basically completely abandoned support for your device years ago, there should be drivers.

That said, whats the pricing for OEM disks going to be? These were $99 when Vista launched, and the upgrade much more expensive, so is W7 going to be ueber cheap (compared to XP and Vista at launch at least)?

[NoobSlayer @ Jun 26th 2009 2:07AM]

This is the little O/S that's going to take a quick glance over to OSX Snow Leper, smirk, and continue on its way to world domination glory.

SUCK IT, Apple Vampire Nation.

[ThreeDee912 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:57AM]

This is why I hate fanboys of all types.

[rederikus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:17AM]

Well said. CrApple is now in deeeep do do. Why?

1). WIndows 7
2). Netbooks
3). CrApple overpricing and underperformance.

Their sales are already falling so let's hope that the finally fade into well deserved oblivion.

[kojo87 @ Jun 26th 2009 3:19AM]

but you read his comment and even posted a reply. unfortunately he wins

[Tsing Tao @ Jun 26th 2009 10:36AM]

@red Yeah those sales are really failing. Do you not have the ability to do a google search before you make idiotic comments? Oh of course not, cause someone in 1998 said apple computers suck so you’ve been fighting the good fight ever since. Get an effing life and use what you like.

[TGDuff @ Jun 26th 2009 2:07AM]

I looked at the Amazon page and didn't see any mention of 32 or 64-bit. Can anyone confirm if the disk contains both versions?

[Dan @ Jun 26th 2009 2:32AM]

Everything I'm reading says 64 and 32 bits are in the same box (or 64 bit upgradeability is there). Ordering, there was no distinction unlike XP or Vista.

Amazon is probably one of the better places to buy - no sales tax and cheaper shipping (especially if you're a Prime member). The microsoft website was really really slow and crashed a ton on me right at 11PM cdt.

Oh - order up to 3 of any edition and you pay one shipping chez Microsoft.

[luminus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:44AM]

yea, they come with both 32/64 bit. Or mail you the missing DVD for free. Did this for vista arleady.

[Galactor963 @ Jun 26th 2009 8:41AM]

Looks like Newegg still has copies, and free shipping:
http://promotions.newegg.com/Microsoft/Windows7/PreSale/index.html

[Daniel @ Jun 26th 2009 2:10AM]

ZEERRGGG RRRUUUSSSSHHHH!!!!

[Nydendarin @ Jun 26th 2009 2:18AM]

Already bought my copy.

[skyblaze @ Jun 26th 2009 7:22AM]

so did skyblaze :)

you really can't beat 99 bucks as ridiculously high as it'll retail

[TheLionOfAzzalle @ Jun 26th 2009 8:05AM]

I can't decide between Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional. I need advice. I like the location aware printing feature of Professional and I think it's a steal for $99 but I'm not sure if I'll use all that other stuff.

And then $49.99 for Home Premium is ridiculously inexpensive so I am leaning towards that (especially since I have Vista Home Premium)...

Any thoughts?

[Sheila @ Jun 26th 2009 8:19AM]

The Pro version has an XP Mode. I ordered from Amazon 1 Pro version and 2 Home versions. I'm currently running Windows 7 RC1 on my Dell Mini 9 netbook.

[skyblaze @ Jun 26th 2009 8:21AM]

ill help ya out lion :)

it depends on what you do most with your computer... if you're a media guy and don't do much server or business oriented shizzle (or don't feel the need to emulate xp in virtual desktop) then you aren't missing much with home premium... im a perfectionist so i just went with professional edition cuz i had the extra cash to burn... (ill upgrade to ultimate when it actually comes out...)

[HC @ Jun 26th 2009 2:21AM]

Any techies out there that can let me know whats the difference between getting and upgrade as opposed to buying the thing??

I've never upgraded to a newer OS on my computers... Usually I just upgrade the computer by the time a new Windows is already out.

But since I just bought my laptop like 6 months ago and is pretty rock solid, I might just want to get these upgrades.

[luminus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:49AM]

If you just bought a new laptop, I'm sure Vista drivers are available for it already. And since Win7 supports all vista drivers, you should be fine.

Basically all you need to do is, pop-in your Win7 DVD, press upgrade, wait a veeeeeeeeery long time (thanks to a gazillion app most laptop put on your machine), and your laptop should be upgraded to a nice brand-new Win7. :)

Alternatively, if you want to get rid of the gunk laptop vendors stick on your laptop, find a Vista DVD, install a clean Vista OS with the Vista product key (usually taped to bottom of your laptop), upgrade to Win7, and you get a nice gunk-free Win7. :D

[paul-engadget @ Jun 26th 2009 4:07AM]

go to windows secrets website where they tell you how to do a clean install of vista from an upgrade disk instead of having to install something first, and I'll bet you the same technique works for w7

[Victor @ Jun 26th 2009 2:33PM]

The upgrade gives you the ability to do a FULL install. You do NOT need to have vista installed and then do an in place upgrade. The only thing you need is a valid windows 2000, xp or vista license. If you want to keep all of your apps, however, you will need to do the in place upgrade and for that you need to have vista (not xp or 2000) installed.

[Chris @ Jun 26th 2009 2:23AM]

WOW, office depot sold out already!

[luminus @ Jun 26th 2009 3:51AM]

WTF.....I thought the limited quantity thing is a joke/marketing ploy. They can actually sell out ? @.@

[Andir3.0 @ Jun 26th 2009 7:06AM]

Limited quantity in software is a marketing ploy. They can sell it as "Sold Out" to drive to convince people that the demand for it is tremendous.

[John @ Jun 26th 2009 8:02AM]

retailers who aren't MS can sell out.... even MS can sell out since they are selling something physical. If you were downloading the OS and suddenly it was "sold out" and the server just "had no more copies", that would be a gimmick, but I doubt office depot put in an order for millions of boxes of windows 7.

[Eddie @ Jun 26th 2009 10:54AM]

I agree with Andir. Its mostly a marketing ploy, but to be honest since I was planning on getting it anyway I'm okay with it.

[Nirvana09 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:23AM]

Why is the Ultimate upgrade $219.99 opposed to the $100 dollar Professional version? Shouldn't it have gotten a cheaper price as well?

[CJ @ Jun 26th 2009 2:51AM]

Probably because people are mostly likely going to skip Home and Professional and go straight to Ultimate.

What they lose in dicounting the other versions, they make up in the fact that most people would rather have everything than some of everything.

[a5ehren @ Jun 26th 2009 8:06AM]

Thing is that there really isn't any good reason to get Ultimate this time. All you get is BitLocker and some other Enterprise features that have no use in a home environment (unless you run a Domain in your house for some reason). You get XP Mode in the Professional edition if you really need that.

For 98% of home users, Home Premium has everything they need until computers start shipping with more than 16GB of RAM :-p

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus_compare.asp

[dasmoothride @ Jun 26th 2009 2:24AM]

I already bought mine too on Amazon, however their page didn't tell whether it was 32 or 64 bit. I just need 32 bit since my lappy doesn't have 64 bit processor.