The Return of Windows 7 Family Pack

The Windows 7 Family Pack returns, or at least it will, starting Oct. 3rd. Microsoft offered a Family Pack bundle (with 3 installations) when Windows 7 launched, but it was a limited-time offer, and in less than two months, supplies had pretty much been sold out.

Despite the fact that some other manufacturers (like Apple) make such Family Packs permanent, this will again be a temporary offering. Microsoft's announcement:

All summer long we’ve given you some great reasons to purchase a new PC and make the move to Windows 7, an operating system loved by a whopping 94% of folks who use it! Here’s one more: starting October 3 in the U.S., Windows 7 Family Pack will be available for purchase at participating retailers and online at the Microsoft Store. Purchasing the Windows 7 Family Pack gives you three upgrade licenses of Windows 7 Home Premium for the low price of $149.99. To take advantage of Family Pack, you’ll need a PC running a genuine copy of either Windows Vista or Windows XP that is capable of running Windows 7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor can tell you which features and editions of Windows 7 will run on your computer(s).

Considering that the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade has an MSRP of $119.99, this is a pretty good deal. Additionally, while this offer is for an Upgrade pack, there are ways to do a fresh install with the Upgrade media. We prefer a fresh install rather than doing an upgrade from an older OS so make sure the system starts completely clean, without extra dross from the older OS or any applications you may have installed.

The Family Pack launches on Oct. 3rd in the U.S., but also goes on sale in Canada, UK, Germany, France, Australia and many other markets on or after Oct. 22 (which is Windows 7’s 1 year anniversary). Once again, it's "while supplies last."