Windows 7 pre-order sales remain strong

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After Microsoft started selling Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional upgrades at a discount, consumers were flocking to take advantage of these discounts resulting in strong sales, and according to Information Week, those pre-order sales continue to remain strong.

Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade continues to remain number one in Amazon's software category, while the Professional version remains at number two. This is good news for Microsoft, which saw Windows sales fall 16% in the most recent quarter.

Currently, Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade is being sold for $49, while Windows 7 Professional upgrade is being sold for $99 until July 11th or "while supplies last". HP and other computer manufacturers are also offering free Vista to Windows 7 upgrades on qualifying PC's.

Customers in the US can pre-order Windows 7 from the Microsoft Store, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Frys, Newegg, Office Depot and Tiger Direct. Customers in Canada can pre-order from Microsoft, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Future Shop, London Drugs, Staples and The Source.

Despite these strong sales, Microsoft still faces challenges. These include competition from Apple, which is selling it's Snow Leopard upgrade at $29, Google, which is trying to undermine Windows with its web based applications. and the European Union, which has been putting anti-trust pressure on Microsoft, resulting in consequences for the consumer.

#1 Elessar on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:00

$49.99 is much better than $119.99 if you ask me, and from what I've seen, it's well worth the price to upgrade to Windows 7 (from Vista or XP).

(2 replies) #2 omgbomb on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:17

I wish australian's had this deal grrrr.

#2.1 +Xerxes on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:29

Yeah, would be great! the deal breaker for me is the high asking price for 7 in Australia! something like this would of swayed me, ah well such is life. Maybe in time the Aussie price will come down or MS Australia does a similar deal for us.

#2.2 Atlonite on 09 Jul 2009 - 16:01

i was thinkin the same here neighbour and im in NZ ms nz are taking their sweet fanny time about putting the offer up here too but as i've said before its who subsidise those cheap ass US and EU deals by paying through our noses for the OS

#3 M_Lyons10 on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:18

I figured upgrade sales of Windows 7 would be pretty healthy...

(1 reply) #4 mocax on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:29

sales will be stronger if it's available to the rest of the world...

#4.1 Atlonite on 09 Jul 2009 - 16:03

+1 agreed

#5 jase chaos on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:49

I tell everyone to pre-order Windows 7, and for the most part they've all gone and paid for their pre-order... I know word of mouth has helped with sales, as well as how well the media has talked about 7.

(2 replies) #6 andrewbares on 08 Jul 2009 - 05:50

I have no need to pre-order, I'm getting it in 6 days and counting! Thank you TechNet!

#6.1 lordcanti86 on 08 Jul 2009 - 06:08

I hate you >

#6.2 iamwhoiam on 08 Jul 2009 - 06:42

andrewbares said,

Me too.

#7 lordcanti86 on 08 Jul 2009 - 06:07

That reminds me. I need to pre-order my copy of Win7 Pro

#8 Kimleng on 08 Jul 2009 - 06:53

Last time I bought an upgrade and was all excited about an OS release was Windows 98. That day has come again.

(3 replies) #9 mmck on 08 Jul 2009 - 13:11

Ermmm.... http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/of.../pre-order.aspx

** Before you install an E edition of Windows 7, please visit windows.microsoft.com/install-windows-E for important information. When you install the E edition of Windows 7, you'll need to do a custom (clean) installation. That means you'll need to back up all of your files and settings, install the operating system, then re-install your files, settings, and programs. Important: The E editions of Windows 7 do not contain an Internet browser. Please get a browser from Microsoft or a third party and have it on a CD/DVD or another device so it's ready to install after the Windows 7 installation is complete.

So in the UK (and presumably the rest of the EU) we have no choice but to purchase E... and then to top it off we have to do a full clean install??? Is this a joke. Oh dear.

#9.1 Digix on 08 Jul 2009 - 14:17

mmck said,

Ermmm.... http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/buy/of.../pre-order.aspx

So in the UK (and presumably the rest of the EU) we have no choice but to purchase E... and then to top it off we have to do a full clean install??? Is this a joke. Oh dear.

I wouldn't complain about that at least you get a pre-order...

#9.2 lordcanti86 on 09 Jul 2009 - 00:59

Please take all complaints and criticisms to your local European Union government office

#9.3 lordcanti86 on 09 Jul 2009 - 00:59

#10 Tanshin on 08 Jul 2009 - 14:05

Preordered mine a while ago, glad I did it too because I know that I'll get it.

Also, Newegg is doing a free upgrade if you purchase Vista deal right now. Also, if you purchase Vista, they can send you a copy of the RC with the combo deal.
http://promotions.newegg.com/Microsoft/Win..._OEM/index.html

EDIT: And there is free shipping!

#11 Digix on 08 Jul 2009 - 14:05

interesting they can stay strong when they don't cover all popular markets and offer it, shame really they couldn't bring something as simple as a discount on windows 7 but persist on bringing us garbage stuff like teched to AUS/NZ which isn't actually as useful to hardly anyone...

(4 replies) #12 Dane on 08 Jul 2009 - 14:16

If only they would presale the full version and not the upgrade.

#12.1 mmck on 08 Jul 2009 - 15:13

the EU version is the full version, but like posted above its E (without IE) and requires a completely clean install.

#12.2 Tanshin on 08 Jul 2009 - 15:36

Actually, there isn't any difference, you just pay less because you already have Windows from before.

You can still do a clean install at any time.

#12.3 Dane on 08 Jul 2009 - 17:02

Tanshin said,

You can still do clean installs?

#12.4 mrp04 on 08 Jul 2009 - 21:00

No you can not. But a workaround is to install it without using a serial and then "upgrade" that installation.

#13 PeterUK on 08 Jul 2009 - 15:27

So the Windows 7 Professional for only £99.99** that goes on sale here (soon) is the Full Retail version without needing another OS?
http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/Microsof...ndows-7-Preview

(2 replies) #14 +chaosblade on 08 Jul 2009 - 15:52

I still can't pre-order here. Way to go Microsoft, Support only your favorite countries.

#14.1 eblkheart on 08 Jul 2009 - 16:53

chaosblade said,

Which country? Could this because of local/national laws?

#14.2 Digix on 08 Jul 2009 - 18:32

eblkheart said,

It's not because of any laws it's simply because Microsoft ignores many markets no matter how beneficial they are to them simply because they can. Preorder is only available to 5-6 countries if that.

#15 Novaoblivion on 08 Jul 2009 - 16:00

Preordered my copy of Pro from Newegg the other day

#16 Atlonite on 11 Jul 2009 - 04:59

pre orders still not available in New Zealand MS NZ still making up it's mind about how much they can rip us off for

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