Microsoft's Windows 7 pricing and promotions have already managed to confuse most consumers, but a number of questions remain unanswered.
One of the most notable, is what do you do if you're a home user wanting to run Windows 7 on multiple PCs?
Digging around a recently-leaked and presumably near-final build of the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system, Kristan from kristankenney.com found the following usage rights amid the operating system's software license terms. The interesting revelation is highlighted in bold:
2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. One Copy per Computer. Except as allowed in Section 2 (b) below, you may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed computer.”b. Family Pack. 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. Those computers are the “licensed computers” and are subject to these license terms. If you do not know whether you are a Qualified Family Pack User, visit go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=141399 or contact the Microsoft affiliate serving your country.
c. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the software on any other computer.
d. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, only one user may use the software at a time.
e. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use only one version at one time.
Microsoft has previously stated that it's evaluating multi-PC licensing, but, at present, the only official way to run Windows 7 on multiple PCs is to purchase multiple copies when it arrives in stores on October 22nd.
That hardly sounds elegant, and indeed, it's an archaic solution considering that one of Microsoft's fiercest rivals, Apple, will be offering a five-user family pack of its upcoming Snow Leopard operating system for under $50.
We're hopeful that Microsoft will announce a competent solution to multiple Windows 7 licenses prior to its October launch, and it looks as though that could arrive in the form of a Windows 7 Home Premium Family Pack.
As for pricing, it's safe to assume that the Family Pack would be priced higher than the £79.99 standard Windows 7 Home Premium E. £99.99 sounds a reasonable figure for a three-system license, we reckon.
