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Sunday, January 10, 2010

Microsoft pulls a Grinch and pulls the plug on the Windows 7 Family Pack

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Several different sources around the web - including Paul Thurrott, Ed Bott and Betanews - are reporting that Microsoft's Windows 7 Family Pack is vanishing from U.S. store shelves and online retailers. The response has been a forceful and resounding WTF?! What gives, Microsoft? Although the Family Pack - $149.99 for three Windows 7 licenses, versus $119.99 for a single-user license - was always listed as a limited offer, eager Windows 7 upgraders assumed that "limited" meant more than 6 weeks.

Microsoft didn't give Ed Bott much of an explanation when he went asking about the missing Family Pack, either: "The Windows 7 Family Pack was introduced as a limited time offer while supplies last in select geographies. Response has been very positive and in some cases, the offer has sold out. Customers interested in upgrading their PCs should purchase Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate upgrade products."

"The Windows 7 Family Pack was introduced as a limited time offer while supplies last in select geographies." - Microsoft

Why didn't MS wait until after the holidays to pull the family pack? It seems like moving a ton of licenses would speed the adoption rate for Windows 7, which is exactly what Microsoft wants. It would also get more genuine copies of Windows out there - there will be people who would have bought the family pack, but might just pirate a few copies instead. If you're still looking to save Christmas by putting a Family Pack under the tree, your best bet is to cruise some online retailers and see if anybody still has stock left. You're a mean one, MS Grinch.

[via Paul Thurrott]

Update: Microsoft has told Betanews that the Family Pack "wasn't pulled" and that it just sold out. Sounds totally fishy to me, but that's their official story.

Microsoft pulls a Grinch and pulls the plug on the Windows 7 Family Pack originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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