Microsoft has unexpectedly withdrawn its promotional pricing for Windows 7 - the software giant's latest desktop and laptop PC operating system - after demand so strong that its online store apparently crashed.
Windows 7 pre-order prices rise
The online UK Microsoft Store now states "Promotional pricing no longer available".
Conspiracy theorists are sure now to question the supposed crash, hinting that Microsoft merely wanted to stop orders at the low rate.
Microsoft had been selling Windows 7 at Windows 7 Home Premium in the UK for £49.99, a 67% discount from the list price of £149.99, and selling Professional for £99.99, 55% under the usual £219.99.
Prices have now increased to £79.99 for Windows 7 Home Premium, £189.99 for Windows 7 Professional, and £199.99 for Windows 7 Ultimate.
Microsoft Windows 7 will be released on October 22, 2009.
At the initial discounted rate the Amazon UK store claimed that it had sold more copies of Windows 7 in the sale's first eight hours than it did in the 17-week run of a similar pre-order offer in 2006 for Windows Vista.
UK vendors taking part in the promotion were Amazon.co.uk, Argos, Comet, Currys, Dixons, Ebuyer.com, John Lewis Partnership, Littlewoods, Micro Anvika, PC World, Play.com, Staples and Tesco.
Amazon has fallen in line with Microsoft's new pricing, but Dixons remains at the lower rate. Its website states that the offer "will end August 9, 2009, or while supplies last".
European customers will receive Windows 7 in special editions, dubbed 'E' for 'Europe', that have been stripped of Internet Explorer 8 (IE8). A month ago, Microsoft decided to remove IE8 from Windows 7 in an effort to head off EU antitrust regulators, who may still force the company to take more drastic measures.
Comments
Peter said: I think its clear that vendors clearly under estimated the demand for Win7 and once they realised there mistake scrambled to get there prices up I brought for 4499 from Currys and I wouldnt be surprised if some who also brought at a low price did so with a eye to selling on via Amazon and other sites once the OS is released gambling that the price will stay high for some time to come so they can make a tidy profit Possibly why vendors such as the one mentioned may seek to try to limit supplies to people who have ordered multiple copies of the OS that or just simple incompetence and greed on their part
Cyteck said: I ordered Windows 7 Home Premium from Ebuyer last month at 60 plus VAT amp delivery75 but I am starting to wonder if they will honor that original pricing and plus Im wondering what I will actually receive in terms of a boxed retail product And finally will the version I receive include or exclude IE8YES I agree with many people here the Windows 7 pricing for UK products is 100 RIP OFF its obscene really
Robert W said: What I find upsetting is that when they had the promotional pricing they offered NO upgrade discount whatsoever to Vista Home Basic userswhich in my opinion is possibly their buggiest version of the OS
DrAT said: If your PCs are connected Id stick with XP if you cant upgrade all of your PCs Windows 7 doesnt like XP on a network
zEnn said: I got the same call from Direct just one copy at promo prize be supplied per person what is it about
Paul W said: I dont believe it I ordered three copies of Windows 7 home premium from Innovations Direct a week ago and they rang me today to say they could only supply one copy Now I cant get it for 50 anywhere What the hell is going on
Jon said: On Monday I could not find Windows 7 Professional anywhere for less than 15994 Today I bought it for 9999 from PC World noting that Dixons Comet Currys and John Lewis were all selling for under 100Very glad I refused to pay such a huge price hike but feel sorry for anyone who purchased it at the higher price thinking they wouldnt see a better deal
nicky said: what a lot of rubbish microsoft put there prices up when they saw interest the all the retailers followed guess who will not be buying it at a rip off price
Peter said: I too have ordered from Currys for 4499 While in no hurry to upgrade from XP I doubt as already has been said that it will ever be had for a cheaper price Since I will be moving to Win 7 at some point so at least I have it to hand when I do If I dont like well 45 quid is a much cheaper pill to swallow than 149
Andre said: Vista users should get Windows Vista 7 for free and compensation for the pain they suffered
luisama said: its just microsoft putting press at the OEMs who reject the high price of windows 7 its know that retail sales of windows is a small near zero of the sales made by OEMsits microsoft hyping see we could sell windows by retail at the price we sell to you of course is just bluffing time to OEMs to stand or fold
Dave R said: Have to admit I rushed off and ordered a copy from Currys when I found the price had been increased on the MS site Probably is a clever bit of manipulation on Microsofts part but I would have ended up buying it anyway and doubt it will ever be any cheaper than 45 Im more irritated by the way MS seem to be deliberately punishing European consumers by removing the option of an upgrade path and forcing a fresh install The technical reasoning for this sounds a bit lame and to me it seems to be simply getting back at the EU ruling
DennisCB said: As Microsoft got Vista so badly wrong and XP users are in urgent need of a better OS the rush was expected
Cyteck said: Yawn Yawn This is just 100 typical of Microsoft to milk the pre windows 7 hype for all its worth Its a rip off in my opinion because windows has always been severely over priced anyway even from the earliest days This is especially galling as windows 7 should have been Vista service pack 3 and Microsoft should be charging the public for what is only a minor step change in the Vista OS IMO Even more so if you factor in the global recession and struggling business IT departments into the overall picture
Martindaler said: Well having read this article about Win7 promo no longer being available I have just gone and ordered Win 7 Home Premium for 4499 at PC World So its still out there
ANTHONY MORRIS said: I BET THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE UK ONLYAS PER USUAL MICROSOFT RIP-OFF
GT said: Seems to be only at the MS Store with Amazon amp Play also increasing pricesAs Mike C mentions its still available at many other online retailers at the time of posting this at the original discounted price or lesswwwcometcoukshopcometadviwwwcurryscoukmartprdeditowwwanvikacomwindows7preordewwwpcworldcoukmartprdedit
Mike C said: and Argos WINDOWS7htm relnofollowwwwargoscoukstaticProduct
Mike C said: If you are still looking for a cheap copy I checked Staples website and they are still selling it at the cheaper price wwwstaplescoukENGCatalog