Dear Amazon.co.uk customers,

As you may already be aware, Microsoft is proposing changes to the launch of Windows 7. While this information is subject to change in the future, the latest information we have from Microsoft is that:

1. The versions of Windows 7 sold in the UK will include Internet Explorer 8.

2. In addition to the full version already available for pre-order, an upgrade version of Windows 7 for those customers who already have Windows Vista will be made available in the UK in the future.

3. The full version of the product will also allow users to upgrade from Vista (with Service Pack 2 installed), thereby removing the requirement for a full 'clean' install. However, Microsoft UK advises all customers that they should perform a full `clean' install even if they already have Windows Vista installed on their PC.

We would like to take this opportunity to assure customers that:

1. All existing pre-orders from Amazon.co.uk and future pre-orders of the products listed below will be supplied the full version of the product:
-- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (PC)
-- Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (PC)
-- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (PC)

2. All our pre-orders are protected by our pre-order price guarantee, ensuring that you will pay the cheapest price between the time you placed your order and the product launch date.

3. We will keep you updated with all information as we have it confirmed by Microsoft.

Thank you for shopping at Amazon.co.uk

Regards

Amazon.co.uk Software Team

Dear Sirs,

You statae that "2. In addition to the full version already available for pre-order, an upgrade version of Windows 7 for those customers who already have Windows Vista will be made available in the UK in the future." When will this become available and will it be cheaper than the full version? i.e. should I hang on for this 'upgrade' or just pre-order the full version?
Yours sincerely,
Ron Wilson

[Customers don't think this post adds to the discussion. Show post anyway. Show all unhelpful posts.]

[Deleted by the author on 21 Aug 2009 00:13 BST]

I've been using Windows 7 since the public beta and it blows Vista away in reliability and speed.
It's like having the eye candy of Vista with the speed of XP.
Security is also better than previous versions of windows, also UAC is far more tweakable than it is in Vista.

[Deleted by the author on 20 Aug 2009 16:45 BST]

So what will happen to people who pre-orderd Home Premium E? Does that mean they will get the Full Version automaticaly when it becomes available?

From the Amazon post:

"1. All existing pre-orders from Amazon.co.uk and future pre-orders of the products listed below will be supplied the full version of the product:"

Seems clear, no?

Will Amazon please confirm the offer of a free copy of windows 7 when released. Only when purchased an original Vista premium O/S.

* Customers who buy an eligible copy of Windows Vista from Amazon.co.uk between 26th June and 15th October 2009 are eligible for a free copy of the equivalent version of Windows 7 when it is launched. Click for details

Thanks

R Smith

There seems to be conflicting reports between full and upgrade, this is what I read, Windows Vista Ultimate, Customers ordering between 1st September and 22nd October will receive the upgrade version. Windows 7 ultimate.
Clarification would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Dave Lewis

With Microsoft launching the new upgrade versions of Windows 7, the "Buy Vista Now, Get Windows 7 Free Later" promotion now means that customers who bought a qualifying version of Windows Vista prior to the 31st August get a full version of Windows, while those buying from the 1st September onwards will get an upgrade version. Remember the promotion will require you to actually order the product once you receive your discount code via email.

Full details can be found on our FAQ which has been updated since the 28th August.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000321063

Also, all customers who placed orders for an 'E' version of Windows 7, will receive the full version.

Regards

The Amazon.co.uk Software team.

I am not surprised that "..... (Windows 7) .. blows Vista away in reliability and speed." That would not be such a hard thing to do.
I am still somewhat dismayed by this need for a clean install (even as an upgrade) since it is unclear just how much of the old Vista designed and older XP designed software while actually reinstall and run on Windows 7.
A lot of standard software designed for XP never ran on Vista (even printers and ancilliaries never had suitable drivers) and I am not convinced that Microsoft is going to change it's habits and will merely continue to assume that we all have bottomless pockets to go out and buy nothing but their upgraded software and then spend part of every day downloading, upgrades, updates and security patches.

Why is Windows 7 Upgrade version still more expensive than the Full version (its RRP is lower)?

@Dale A. Haines: There is no need for a clean install it is only recommended. I have been using Windows 7 RC1 since launch on two computers that previously had Vista installed. The 'upgrade' worked out great. Apps continued to work and on my laptop I didn't even have to upgrade any drivers, which came as a surprise. W7 really is noticeably faster than Vista. And this 'beta' that I am running is generally speaking just as stable as any Vista I've previously been using, although occasionally (about once a month) a bug does occour (for example wireless adapter stops working until restart).

I am currently using Open Office for text documents and spreadsheets, but as it causes problems when downloading documents via email, I am considering purchasing Microsoft Office. I have ordered Windows 7, for when it is launched, can I be sure that Microsoft Office 2007 will be compatible with Windows 7. Can anyone help?
RosyPosy

I am currently considering upgrading my two pcs at home to Windows 7. I've been using Windows 7 RTM at work and it's so much better than Vista (and I quite liked Vista!). I've seen that a family pack is going to be offered which will allow you to upgrade up to 3 pcs, depending on price this may be the best way for me to go. However, it appears that you have to upgrade to the same version (i.e. 32-bit or 64-bit). My trouble is that I'm currently running WinXP SP3 32-bit on my old machine and would like to keep it 32-bit, but I'm running Vista 64-bit on my new machine and would like to upgrade it to Windows 7 64-bit. Anyone know if this will be possible with the family pack?

Yes, the family pack I think is just 3 version of the home premium upgrade SKU. This comes with both 32 bit and 64bit versions in the box so you just install the one you want and enter your serial code. Only issue is that if you're going from 32 bit Vista to 64bit Win 7, then you can't do an in place upgrade, you'll have to wipe the computer and clean install. Makes sense as 64bit and 32bit OS really are very different beasts.

will someone help me i have a computer with windows vista home prenuim and i bought it in jan of 2009 i were not elible for a free upgrade from acer i want to upgrade to win 7 home prenium i have used the win 7 upgrade adviser and it says it's ok to upgrade to win 7 but i am confused it the upgade only for the people who bought their computer in the last six months or for any vista uses please help me thankyou?

I think you will find it is people who purchased their computer with Vista within the last 6 months are eligible for FREE upgrades to Windows 7. There is no reason why you should not BUY a Windows 7 upgrade for your computer with Vista Home Premium. It unfortunately just won't be free for you.* Go for a cheaper version while you can from here on Amazon. I think the Windows 7 Home Premium version is still around £70, but get it quickly before the prices all go up, which could be any time soon. ( That is what I understand anyway)

Good luck!

(* Or me!- but my computer is years older than yours., so will be starting from scratch.)

j-rich - People who bought a computer after june 26th with Vista installed are eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7. To get it you need to talk to the PC manufacturer, some are charging shipping for the disc (up to £10).

Since you don't fall into this group, you need to buy an upgrade. The upgrade on amazon (Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Upgrade Edition (PC DVD) ) can be installed on your computer no problem. AS long as it runs Vista it should run Win 7.

Office 2007 is totally compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit installations of Windows 7.

Acer are charging £21 shipping and handling fee for Windows 7.

Unless you are REALLY desperate, I would wait till Windows 7 is pre-installed before buying any new computers at the moment.

What I want to know is: Is windows 7, either upgrade for XP or full version available NOW or not? And do I risk losing stuff if I decide to install the full version? And what are the advantages in actually installing a full rather than update version? I have XP professional on my computer but also do not have a disc. Are there really any problems to be expected? Help please before I buy. Thanks.

NS

I have still not received my upgrade to windows 7 ultimate. I had a notification that it should be despatched at the end of October. O/N 026-7865685-7317954 can you help.

I did this and have just purchased a Lenovo G550 Laptop from Amazon which came with Windows 7 pre-installed. It's great. I had XP on my old laptop but this is faster and I'm really enjoying it.