Is Microsoft planning a Windows 7 Family Pack?

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 3 Jul 2009 at 08:38

Microsoft is set to introduce a Windows 7 family pack, if the terms and conditions discovered in a leaked build are genuine.

Family packs allow users to install multiple instances of software on a set number of PCs in the home, instead of buying a separate licence for each PC.

Apple has offered family packs for Mac OS X for years, allowing customers to install the OS on up to five machines at less than double the cost of a single licence.

Now it seems Microsoft is considering following suit. Canadian blogger Kristian Kenney discovered mention of a family pack in the licence agreement of a leaked build of Windows 7 Home Premium.

The clause states that: "If you are a 'Qualified Family Pack User', you may install one copy of the software marked as 'Family Pack' on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there."

Microsoft was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

A discounted family pack could help diffuse some of the anger over Windows 7 prices. British buyers are being forced to pay up to 60% more for Windows 7 than their US counterparts, because Microsoft has decided not to offer upgrade versions in Europe, as a result of its spat with the EU.