Microsoft discontinues Windows 7 Family Pack in US

[pparks1]

Jeez....just when i thought that Microsoft was finally understanding the need for multiple copies of their OS within a household, they discontinue the program for the United States.

Microsoft grinches W7 Family Pack in US ? Channel Register

But don't fear, we can still buy 3 individual licenses at $119 a piece.

 

[jfar]

Definitely Scrooge comes to mind here, well done Microsoft way to go, Happy Christmas to you too.

 

[Win7User512]

So does this mean the copies currently available will be collector's items?

 

[Qdos]

In all fairness Microsoft always made it perfectly clear that Family License Packs were a very 'Limited Edition' product, I got hold of one pack in the UK at great pains, but had to buy two retail disks for my remaining machines (although I got them on pre-order price promotions too) because I knew I was unlikely to get more than a single family pack

 

[FuturDreamz]

iirc the family pack was one ultimate license and two home basic licenses?

 

[pparks1]

In all fairness Microsoft always made it perfectly clear that Family License Packs were a very 'Limited Edition' product,

I did not realize this as I never really looked into the product. I only run 1 Windows 7 computer at home so I only needed 1 copy...so it never really concerned me...but I certainly did recommend it to people who did have multiple computers.

Seemed like a very good idea to me to get that revenue from people who might have otherwise obtained it using non legit methods. Oh well, I guess it does make sense as it was far cheaper than standard licensing terms.

iirc the family pack was one ultimate license and two home basic licenses?

No, it was 3 copies of Windows 7 Home Premium.

 

[Qdos]

Yes, 3 x Home Premium...

 

[FuturDreamz]

oh. darn.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
maybe a better solution

Take out a Technet subscription --look for DISCOUNT coupons on the web for your country / region.

Ms W7 Enterprise VL -- Multiple activations is available for normal download plus up to 10 Keys for other non VL versions such as W7 Professional. Loads of other software also.

A No brainer in this instance I would think.

Cheers

jimbo.

 

[pparks1]

Take out a Technet subscription --look for DISCOUNT coupons on the web for your country / region.

Sure, it's a better option for most of us here...but even with discount codes it's about $250 a year...so maybe more than the typical home user would want.

I simply thought that the Family Pack was a good option for quite a number of people Similar to the Apple plan that allows you 5 installs.

 

[Zidane24]

Take out a Technet subscription --look for DISCOUNT coupons on the web for your country / region.

Sure, it's a better option for most of us here...but even with discount codes it's about $250 a year...so maybe more than the typical home user would want.

I simply thought that the Family Pack was a good option for quite a number of people Similar to the Apple plan that allows you 5 installs.

Indeed the family pack was great...I thought they would at least let the offer go through the holidays (would convince folks to drop the cash...)

One point to consider is that many folks don't have three active computers in their home...most families have a family computer and that is it...

 

[toughbook]

I am quite sure MS has a very good stats dept. I fully understood that this was a limited thing, but if they were making good profit percentages from these then I highly doubt they would stop.

Jimbo45, I agree 100% to the Technet. That is what I did around the time 7 went RTM. You get everything MS has ever done just about. The only downside I have found is that when you want to do a clean install you are missing all the manufactures programs and such. In my situation Panasonic has some great programs they load, plus the drivers for most of there stuff is very tricky.

 

[Tews]

The only downside I have found is that when you want to do a clean install you are missing all the manufactures programs and such. In my situation Panasonic has some great programs they load, plus the drivers for most of there stuff is very tricky.

IMO thats the upside to it.... no bloat ware to contend with...If I need something I can download it...

 

[jimbo45]

Take out a Technet subscription --look for DISCOUNT coupons on the web for your country / region.

Sure, it's a better option for most of us here...but even with discount codes it's about $250 a year...so maybe more than the typical home user would want.

I simply thought that the Family Pack was a good option for quite a number of people Similar to the Apple plan that allows you 5 installs.

Indeed the family pack was great...I thought they would at least let the offer go through the holidays (would convince folks to drop the cash...)

One point to consider is that many folks don't have three active computers in their home...most families have a family computer and that is it...

Hi there
if they only have a family computer then they wouldn't need the multiple license option.

For a SINGLE license there's loads of very attractive discounts to be had -- no one ever need pay full retail price -- but I agree MS should have let it run through the Holidays

- am surprised it didn't as it could have also helped a lot of stores selling hardware -- buy 3 machines with a Family license - could have been a nice XMAS offer.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Qdos]

I bet some of the auctions on eBay for 'genuine W7 keys' are from family pack leftovers LOL...

 

[Zidane24]

Sure, it's a better option for most of us here...but even with discount codes it's about $250 a year...so maybe more than the typical home user would want.

I simply thought that the Family Pack was a good option for quite a number of people Similar to the Apple plan that allows you 5 installs.

Indeed the family pack was great...I thought they would at least let the offer go through the holidays (would convince folks to drop the cash...)

One point to consider is that many folks don't have three active computers in their home...most families have a family computer and that is it...

Hi there
if they only have a family computer then they wouldn't need the multiple license option.

For a SINGLE license there's loads of very attractive discounts to be had -- no one ever need pay full retail price -- but I agree MS should have let it run through the Holidays

- am surprised it didn't as it could have also helped a lot of stores selling hardware -- buy 3 machines with a Family license - could have been a nice XMAS offer.

Cheers
jimbo

I was using the one computer per family as a point to prove why the family pack was short lived; no use to keep an offer going that only affects the minority...

I bet some of the auctions on eBay for 'genuine W7 keys' are from family pack leftovers LOL...

I thought about this to and it could be the very reason why Microsoft ceased the deal.

 

[poin2]

I bet some of the auctions on eBay for 'genuine W7 keys' are from family pack leftovers LOL...

I thought about this to and it could be the very reason why Microsoft ceased the deal.

I believe the family packs came with one serial for 3 computers. It wouldn't be wise for someone to sell the same serial to 3 different people on eBay -- they could readily start clashing with each other.

They'd also easily get more selling the family pack as a whole than selling 3 separate Home Premium upgrade serials.

It's very very unlikely any of those keys getting sold on eBay are from the family packs. They're almost certainly just a few people misusing MSDN / MSDNAA / Technet accounts, and perhaps even from overseas (China?) where they're less concerned about getting caught.

Microsoft almost certainly discontinued the family pack because it has lower profit margins for them, and it served its purpose by boosting initial sales figures and getting word out about the software early on -- much like those student deals.

But they're now going to let people doing holiday shopping pay full price.

I really think they should have let the family packs run through January like the student deals. Too many are going to be miffed they missed those in hindsight, and MS needs to be taking away excuses for people looking into illegitimate sources, not providing them.

Letting "family packs" sit out there and get promoted for the holidays would have made for great PR. They could even do something like a "family holiday pack." They're now risking looking like the Grinch.

 

[Adamd]

While this is sad Microsoft really does not hide the fact that they charge a great deal for products they release...

Sad but true unless you buy a computer with Windows and maybe Office installed you have to pay a lot to get a legal copy in my opinion

 

[darkassain]

shhhhh...
dont tell anyone but i have confirmed with a store (actually talked to a manager) from staples that they are still selling it in brick and mortar stores for about the same price (until they run out he said)...

so you might have a better chance finding this deal hidden in one of the brick and mortar stores....

 

[pparks1]

It would just be nice to see MS charge a more reasonable amount like $49.99 for the OS. Look at the people who ordered it for the $30 student special. And the people who preordered it for $50. And the people willing to get Technet to get multiple copies cheap. It just seems to me that they might actually make more with increased sales and decreased piracy. But MS is smart and they must study this stuff...so it's likely priced at the best price point to maximize their profits.