Doubts over Windows 7 Family Pack in UK

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 22 Jul 2009 at 14:14

Microsoft can't guarantee that the newly-announced Windows 7 Family Pack will be launched in the UK.

The company confirmed the existence of the Family Pack yesterday, allowing people to install the operating systems on up to three machines at a discounted rate.

However, speaking exclusively to PC Pro, Microsoft admitted the company might have problems bringing the Family Pack to this country, because of its ongoing dispute with the EU.

"I can't confirm whether we'll make that [Family Pack] available in the UK," said John Curran, director of the Windows Client Group. "It was designed as an upgrade SKU."

Microsoft won't be selling upgrade versions in the UK until at least 2010, because of the difficulties involved with meeting the EU's requirement to unbundle Internet Explorer from the operating system. "The plans we have for Windows 7 E versions don't have upgrade SKUs," Curran added.

It means British buyers could be forced to wait until the turn of the year for the Family Packs, unless Microsoft decides to allow people to upgrade with full versions of the OS, as it's currently doing with the retail versions of Windows 7.

"We working through how to best address the issue for our customers," Curran said.